[sneefy]

Yeah, I'm not finding all the extra plastic cladding particularly attractive. Especially the big plastic cheeks. Maybe if they put larger foglights in there, but those look out of proportion with the amount of plastic surrounding them. Maybe it'll look better in person.

The wheels aren't bad though. The simplicity of them is refreshing after the hideous wheels on the Touring.

 

[zachavm]

The wheels aren't bad though. The simplicity of them is refreshing after the hideous wheels on the Touring.

Very much agree on both counts. If they match the trend of the previous model year they should use the same wheel as the JDM Advanced trim. That would be this wheel which is much better IMHO.

 

[gsdude]

It’s like a cousin of a Pontiac Aztec.

Ouch! That stings.

 

[kiwisubienoob]

Hmmm....

I don't see much here that folks haven't achieved on their own - skid plates, lift, other mods etc.

IMHO, this update doesn't really add much to the current offering to warrant an upgrade to this latest iteration.

Have I missed the point?

 

[sneefy]

If they match the trend of the previous model year they should use the same wheel as the JDM Advanced trim. That would be this wheel which is much better IMHO.

Agreed. Much better balance of painted vs. machined face on that one.

 

[gsdude]

@kiwisubienoob I agree with your statement however IMHO the only reason (for some) to buy one is that it is "Subaru Tested & Approved" for warranty purposes (the raised suspension or CVT oil cooler or example). I only say this because Subaru has, in the recent past officially allowed accessories such as Roof Top Tents (within the guidelines of their weight limits) to not void the OEM warranties. I love that about Subaru.

 

[zachavm]

Hmmm....

I don't see much here that folks haven't achieved on their own - skid plates, lift, other mods etc.

IMHO, this update doesn't really add much to the current offering to warrant an upgrade to this latest iteration.

Have I missed the point?

No, I think you have hit at the point. Subaru knows people are doing this on their own and this allows them to get into that market. However, there are a few things that this will get you that can't (or can't easily) be done on their own.

• Gearing and Drive train changes (definitely can't be done)
• Eyesight Calibration for lifted ride height (can't be done)
• Cladding and modified bumper/approach angles (not easily)

 

[FozzieBalou]

What this does is provide an "out-of-the-box" modified Forester and - as mentioned by Zach - allows Subaru to get some of that income. It is a need that was met up by many in the aftermarket and now the manufacturer is getting in on that market. That's happened plenty of times before.

Many of those modifications can be and have been done - even Eyesight, as I know a few people with highly modified Foresters that still have their Eyesight functionality. Whether the Eyesight system worked without issue or it was recalibrated to work with the new height, I don't know.

But this gives another Subaru Forester to the masses that also shows what can be done. For many years, there was nothing ever at the dealer's lot showing what could be done. Then just after the SK was introduced and so many in the aftermarket started offering up products, you started seeing some modified (lifted, whatever) Foresters on dealer's lots, done by the dealer and warrantied.

 

[Seanyd78]

I really like the looks of it. A much more aggressive and trucky look. To me, it gives off a bit of a 4Runner vibe, which is a very good thing as 4 Runners are the king of off-road ready SUVs.

 

[KYKernel]

I just got an email from Subaru saying they will introduce the “newest member of the Subaru Wilderness Family” at 9:00 AM tomorrow. I assume that is “my” time, US Eastern Daylight. The link to tune in is

The 2023 Subaru Forester.

The SUV for all you love.

www.subaru.com

Pardon me if this is old news.

 

[tony coz]

Subaru Forester Wilderness revealed on Canadian website

Slip-up on North American site leads to premature unveiling

www.whichcar.com.au

 

[Rhialto]

Seriously, why a new thread while there is already one? And it's old news. Future product lineup - Forester Wilderness Edition

I'm sure a mod will take care of this.

 

[Kevin]

I'm sure a mod will take care of this.

Yep

 

[FozzieBalou]

I really like the looks of it. A much more aggressive and trucky look. To me, it gives off a bit of a 4Runner vibe, which is a very good thing as 4 Runners are the king of off-road ready SUVs.

Is the 4Runner really the "king" of off-road ready SUVs...? I'm not quite so sure.

While it could be argued that not all Foresters are "off-road ready" (even though technically they are with good ground clearance and standard AWD for all trim levels), it can be said that not all 4Runners are off-road ready either, with the most models starting off with 2WD with 4WD being optional, with the exception of a few models. The Forester also outsells the 4Runner by a fairly wide margin (over 176000 vs just over 129000 for 2020, over 120000 vs under 95000 for 2021). That's 25% more in 2020 and about 20% more for 2021.

While the 4Runner certainly LOOKS the part of the off-road king, so does the Jeep Wrangler. And the Jeep Wrangler trounced the sales numbers for both in 2020 (201000) and gets beaten by the Forester (with just 118000 units). Mind you, that includes both 2 door and 4 door models. I don't think the Wrangler is offered with 2WD any longer.

Now with the Wilderness Edition model, right off the lot you can get a very off-road ready (in features and looks), but I can agree that it would not be as capable as the Wrangler or some of the 4Runner models, but meet the needs of most of it's buyers.

Of course, for a truer comparison, it is the Toyota RAV4 and the Jeep Cherokee that we'd need to compare and contrast.

 

[straphanger322]

Embargo lifted:

The 2023 Subaru Forester.

The SUV for all you love.

www.subaru.com

2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness First Look: Another Subie Gets the Tough Treatment

The off-road package joins the Forester lineup.

www.motortrend.com

 

[bison35]

If I'm reading the press release right, it sounds like the wilderness has an increased tow capacity, to 3000 lbs. Any thoughts about what might enable this higher capacity, assuming I've read things right?

 

[Move Zig]

the press release reads that the towing capacity is increased in more than one trim... it's not under the wilderness section as an exclusive trim feature. Also the same thing for the uprated capacity on the roof rails, that's in the general description section of the press release, not the wilderness trim specific section...

 

[bison35]

the press release reads that the towing capacity is increased in more than one trim... it's not under the wilderness section as an exclusive trim feature. Also the same thing for the uprated capacity on the roof rails, that's in the general description section of the press release, not the wilderness trim specific section...

The main press release had noted "up to 3000" ( Subaru U.S. Media Center - SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON REFRESHED 2022 FORESTER SUV). In the "at a glance" spec sheet, though, it appeared that the 3000 lb tow capacity was specific to the wilderness edition, something added over the premium trim.

 

[Move Zig]

The main press release had noted "up to 3000" ( Subaru U.S. Media Center - SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON REFRESHED 2022 FORESTER SUV). In the "at a glance" spec sheet, though, it appeared that the 3000 lb tow capacity was specific to the wilderness edition, something added over the premium trim.

the website had a footnote that it varies by trim "Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level. Trailer brakes may be needed. See your retailer for details. " so that remains unclear as to which trims may get an uprated towing capacity. Could be that it's only the wilderness, could be more than the wilderness. Once the owner's manual is out that would clarify some of this.

also includes trailer stability assist...

"The compact SUV also offers up to 3,000-lb. towing capacity and features standard Trailer Stability Assist."

 

[Nasarog]

Ugh, not my cup of tea. I bet all of the plastic cladding will be expensive to repair/replace if you actually take it off-road.