Forester

Make
Subaru
Segment
SUV

At the beginning of August, Subaru teased the next model to receive a rugged Wilderness trim. EPA fuel economy filings revealed it would be based on the 2022 Subaru Forester, slotting below the Outback Wilderness in terms of size and price. The Forester Wilderness was set to make its debut this week during the 2021 New York Auto Show, but the event was canceled due to coronavirus concerns, forcing Subaru to push back the reveal along with the 2022 WRX debut.

It may be a bit later than expected, but we now know exactly when the Forester Wilderness will make its official debut. Subaru put out a new video, showing more detail than we've seen in previous teasers. In the video we can clearly spot the car as a Forester, traversing mud, rock, and snow in various wilderness locations.

The video contains some brief text, which reads "The Wild Is Calling," and "Answer It." The caption below says, "Get ready for adventure on a deeper level. An evolution in Subaru capability; the next model in the Subaru Wilderness Family is coming. And it's packed with functional technology and rugged features, inside and out." Subaru even gives an exact date, September 2nd, when we can see it for ourselves.

Based on the EPA filing, we know the Wilderness will use the same 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder found in other Forester trims. This engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, going out to all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission. Unfortunately, the Forester does not offer a turbocharged engine option.

Like the Outback Wilderness, we expect the Forester version to benefit from a lifted ride height, upgraded tires, and various exterior changes including an available Geyser Blue paint job. It's unclear where the Wilderness will slot in the Forester range, but we expect it to sit below the loaded Touring model, which starts at $34,895.