That’s certainly not a best-in-class figure – the 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo are better – but it’s impressive for a tweener like the Outback. The Outback Wilderness approaches at 20.0 degrees, has a breakover of 21.2 degrees, and departs at 23.6 degrees. For comparison's sake, a midsize alternative like the Honda Passport only offers 7.5 inches of ground clearance, while the rugged Toyota 4Runner is just barely higher off the ground with 9.6 inches of ground clearance.Īnd the Subaru's newfound height leads to some solid off-road angles. Whereas the base Outback feels almost sedan-like on the road, the Wilderness rides with the presence of a small SUV, standing over other cars. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance – a big increase over the standard 8.7 inches – the Wilderness model is legitimately tall. Plus the X-Mode off-road mode display now offers a roll-angle indicator to tell you exactly what this car is doing in trickier conditions. But there are some model-specific touches, like Wilderness model graphics and a Wilderness logo on startup in the smaller gauge screen. Outside of that, the dash sports the same 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen as the Outback XT, with the latest version of Subaru's StarLink infotainment system. The visual differences between the Wilderness model and the standard Outback are obvious. The only slight difference here is that the Wilderness model dons a honeycomb-like seat insert that we really like. Like on the XT Onyx Edition, the Wilderness model’s chairs wear a waterproof StarTex faux leather upholstery that feels very nice, plus a black roof lining that Subaru says is good for hiding dirt. Many of those same copper accents carry over to the cabin, lining the lower steering wheel spoke, the shift knob, and stitching in the seats. On top of it all is a brand-new Geyser Blue paint job that Subaru says was inspired, in part, by the brand's signature Rally Blue hue. Overall the ratio of paint-to-protective-surfaces has shifted to the latter, which makes the exterior less vulnerable to scratches and dents.ĭotting the exterior are a few fun-looking “Wilderness” badges as well as Anodized Copper accents that denote use points the copper pieces on the front and rear bumper hide the tow hooks, while the same shade on the roof rack reveals tie-downs. The cladding on the wheel arches and rear is chunkier as well, and the windows shed their standard chrome surround for a matte black finish that also carries over to the side mirrors and rear bumper. And there's a neat matte black stripe on the hood that reduces glare, too. The black cladding on the front fascia now extends up to the base of the headlights, the grille loses its standard chrome and horizontal slats for dark mesh, and the fog lights move closer to the center of the bumper to keep them safe from rocks and debris. Just by looking at its bigger tires, taller ride height, and added cladding, it’s clear this is the Outback you want for when the going gets really tough.Ī vehicle's verdict is relative only to its own segment and not the new-vehicle market as a whole. This car still does everything you want of the normal Outback, only it notches the wagon’s off-road capabilities up to more capable levels. The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness tweaks that formula just a bit, in a good way. And that's still true of the current model – it's a solid family car with light off-roading chops, but nothing built for Moab. For the 26 years or so that the Subaru Outback has been on sale in the US, it's been the choice for suburbanites who need a vehicle tough enough to tackle dirt roads without the on-road compromises of a genuine off-roader.
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