The Subaru Outback was already the go-to selection for many who want a automobile for happening adventures off the crushed path, however need one thing apart from an SUV. Or, maybe, those that really see the sensible benefits of a wagon over a equally priced midsize SUV (decrease roof for mounting issues on racks, bigger again seat). That it has extra floor clearance than the standard SUV helps its case, too.
Ah, nevertheless it clearly wasn’t sufficient for some. The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness debuts this 12 months as a solution for all these present house owners who’ve been lifting their Outbacks even increased, placing on rugged tires and lamenting the novel swing-in roof rails aren’t sturdy sufficient for all makes use of. The Wilderness does that from the manufacturing unit and appears additional cool besides. Do you have to stay in an space the place Outbacks are fashionable, it’s going to be like driving an AMG Mercedes … folks will discover and acknowledge you’ve got the cool one.
All of the others are nonetheless fairly nice, although, as each 2022 Outback continues to be an ideal household automobile selection no matter how far off the crushed path you are going to go. It is wildly spacious and flexibility, well-made and well-equipped, moderately environment friendly and competitively priced. Even when it is a wagon, we nonetheless positioned it amongst our listing of best SUVs of 2022. It is probably not one technically, nevertheless it does the identical job, if just a little higher at instances.
What’s new for 2022?
The Outback Wilderness is a brand new addition to the Outback household for 2022 (there’s also a Forester Wilderness). It mainly takes an Onyx XT trim and provides 0.8 inch of floor clearance, Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires, particular black wheels, an identical full-size spare, ladder-type fastened roof rails, hexagonal LED foglights, completely different bumpers and fender flares, bronze color accents inside and outside, and particular X-Mode calibration. Elsewhere within the lineup, the bottom Outback beneficial properties commonplace fog lights and the Premium trim stage will get again seat air vents.
What are the Outback inside and in-car know-how like?
Practically each 2021 Outback comes with a vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen (and even that lone exception comes with a pair of 7-inch models, pictured above proper). Its performance is not flawless, because the audio controls when utilizing Apple CarPlay are compromised, and the colourful graphics are a bit cartoonish and have an aftermarket look to them. Nonetheless, it is usually straightforward to make use of, learn and attain. Characteristic content material is superb as nicely (see pricing and options part beneath). Sadly, typical for Subaru, stereo sound high quality is poor.
By way of design, we won’t say the inside is particularly engaging, however supplies high quality is stronger than it was prior to now. The buttons and switches have a high-quality really feel to them, whereas even the bottom trim will get simulated leather-based stitched collectively on the sprint, doorways and heart console. There’s additionally a welcome injection of shade discovered within the Onyx Version (grey and black “StarTex” vinyl accented in electrical inexperienced), the brand new Wilderness (textured “StarTex” upholstery with bronze accents all through) and the range-topping Touring (tasteful brown leather-based). The Wilderness additionally will get particular all-weather floor mats with emblems and mountains embossed on them.
How huge is the Outback?
Suppose a wagon is smaller than an SUV? Suppose once more. With its considerably longer wheelbase and total size, the Outback exceeds the house you may discover in compact crossovers just like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru’s personal Forester. That is particularly noteworthy for fogeys with rear-facing youngster seats (see our Outback car seat space test here).
Cargo quantity, in the meantime, is phenomenal. True, it’s a bit much less with the again seat raised (32.5 cubic ft) than some bigger compact crossovers (the CR-V, as an illustration), however their numbers are a bit deceiving since a lot of an SUV’s house is up excessive within the greenhouse the place filling it might probably block rear visibility and pose a hazard because of objects flying ahead. The Outback’s house, in contrast, is extra reliant on its beneficiant width and depth. Its most cargo capability with the seats down additionally gives higher size, countering the additional peak of SUV rivals. In our experience, this makes the Outback more useful overall.
Even higher, most variations of the Outback includes unique roof rails that swing inward to develop into their very own crossbars. There are additionally sturdy tie-down factors back and front, and because the Outback’s roof is decrease than an SUVs, it is simpler to load stuff up there. The draw back to those roof rails (beneath left) is that they’ve a decrease weight capability and restricted crossbar placement. As probably the most hardcore Outback, the Wilderness subsequently has stronger, fastened roof rails (beneath proper) to satisfy extra demanding wants.
What are the Outback gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?
The Outback comes commonplace with a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed “Boxer” four-cylinder that produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This quantity is mid-pack when in comparison with most compact crossovers. Midsize crossovers just like the Honda Passport have much more commonplace energy, but in addition worsen fuel economy. The bottom Outback engine returns 26 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 29 mpg mixed, which is superb contemplating each Outback comes commonplace with all-wheel drive. A constantly variable transmission (CVT) can also be compulsory.
The improve engine is designated by the identify XT and is non-obligatory on the Restricted, Onyx Version and Touring trim ranges. It is commonplace on the Wilderness. This turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer-four produces 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, which is a much more compelling output. It is positively a field to test in case you plan on placing all that house to good use and particularly if it’s going to occur at altitude, the place naturally aspirated engines lose energy. Gasoline financial system can nonetheless be fairly good with estimates of 23 mpg metropolis, 30 mpg freeway and 26 mpg mixed or 22/26/24 for the Wilderness.
What is the Outback wish to drive?
The Outback’s steering is sort of numb on heart, which does not promote a way of driver-machine management. It is easy to show at low speeds, and truly well-suited to free off-road surfaces, however for these hoping a wagon will probably be extra involving to drive than a small SUV, the steering is an actual letdown. And it really will get worse. The Wilderness has Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires, which look cool and are definitely useful off-road, however on street, they create a squishy, delayed response off heart (as is typical for all-terrain tires) and considerably cut back grip on pavement. The quantity of slide we skilled in a humid hairpin flip was virtually comical. Apparently, we didn’t have expertise the identical response points in the Forester Wilderness, which has the identical tires, although a unique suspension.
As for the Outback Wilderness suspension, the trip is a acceptably firmer than the notably delicate tuning you may discover in different Outbacks. We did not discover a degradation in dealing with as a result of elevate, however that is as a result of the tires did not actually give us the chance to push the factor. No Outback is finally a lot of a handler. On the identical time, although, you’ll be able to inform that it is decrease and wider than the small SUVs it is certain to be in contrast with. That is a great factor for these of us preferring the texture of driving a automotive and being a bit decrease to the bottom (even when the Outback has extra floor clearance than most SUVs at 8.7 commonplace or 9.5 for the Wilderness). Its longer wheelbase additionally helps present a smoother, extra composed trip.
The bottom engine gives enough energy, and the CVT helps preserve revs relaxingly low at dawdling, around-town speeds. Push it, nonetheless, and this engine rapidly loses steam and wails because the CVT does its greatest to maintain revs beneficially excessive. Although it makes an attempt to create a extra conventional driving really feel by simulating upshifts, it does so at uncommon instances that does not precisely mitigate the bizarre really feel and sound of a CVT. These attributes stay within the turbocharged XT, however are at the very least mitigated by the extra highly effective engine that does not need to work as exhausting. That mentioned, the turbo engine can also be a bit old style in its energy supply. It feels fairly pokey and sluggish till about 3,000 rpm, after which bam, the turbo kicks in. We’re guessing that is extra the results of selling good gasoline financial system by limiting enhance at low rpm slightly than old school Nineteen Eighties turbo lag.
What different Subaru Outback critiques can I learn?
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness First Drive
The total scoop on the Outback Wilderness with extra detailed details about its particular options and what it is wish to drive.
Comparison Test: 2020 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Subaru Forester
Subaru uniquely sells two equally sized crossovers: yet another wagon-like, the opposite extra SUV-like. We check them side-by-side.
2020 Subaru Outback Roof Rack Driveway Test
We check the Outback’s distinctive roof rails that develop into they’re personal crossbars using the new Yakima CBX Solar.
2020 Subaru Outback Luggage Test | Score one for wagons
We take a deep dive into the Outback’s cargo capability on this baggage check, discovering out how a lot stuff suits within the cargo space.
2020 Subaru Outback Suspension Deep Dive
Our contributing engineer Dan Edmunds takes you beneath the brand new Outback to elucidate why it is higher to drive than the earlier technology and the way it differs from the Legacy.
2022 Subaru Outback Car Seat Space Test
How a lot does the Outback again seat have for a large rear-facing automotive seat, and importantly, how a lot is left over for mother and pa up entrance? This gives the solutions.
2020 Subaru Outback First Drive | The big payoff
Our first drive assessment of the brand new Outback, together with extra details about what’s new and its revised design and engineering.
2020 Subaru Outback 2.5 base engine review
We pattern the brand new Outback with its base engine within the top-of-the-line Touring trim stage.
How a lot is the 2022 Outback worth and what options can be found?
Pricing begins at $28,070, together with the $1,125 vacation spot cost. Keep in mind that the Outback comes commonplace with all-wheel drive, which generally carries a $1,500 premium or extra in different manufacturers’ automobiles.
Customary tools is beneficiant. In addition to the considerable security tech described within the part beneath, you get permit wheels, steering adaptive LED headlights, fog lights, computerized local weather management, a rearview digital camera washer, roof rails with built-in tie-downs and crossbars, two 7-inch touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite tv for pc radio and a four-speaker sound system.
As is often the case, stepping as much as the second trim stage rung is a good suggestion. For an additional $2,250, the Outback Premium extras embody an influence driver seat, heated entrance seats, a leather-wrapped wheel, dual-zone local weather management, rear air vents, a cargo cowl, the vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen, two rear USB ports and 6 audio system.
As we see it, the primary purpose to step as much as the higher trim ranges is to realize entry to the XT turbo engine improve. Amongst these, we predict the Onyx Version is the one to get, principally as a result of its water-repellant “StarTex” vinyl upholstery will put on higher and is simple to scrub (and it is cow free). As for the Wilderness, its compromised on-road dealing with would give us critical pause, however we won’t deny the attraction of its particular appears and elevated functionality.
All costs embody the $1,125 vacation spot cost.
Base: $28,070
Premium: $30,270
Restricted: $34,720
Touring: $38,620
Onyx Version XT: $36,270
Wilderness: $38,120
Restricted XT: $39,120
Touring XT: $41,070
What are the Outback security scores and driver help options?
Each 2022 Outback contains ahead collision warning with pedestrian detection and computerized emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping help, a rear seat occupant reminder and adaptive cruise management with lane-centering steering. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert are non-obligatory on the bottom trim and commonplace on all others. The DriverFocus distraction mitigation system is non-obligatory on the Restricted and commonplace on Touring. We describe it within the video beneath.
These programs all accomplish the duty of protecting you protected, which is the purpose. Nevertheless, they’re additionally a bit over-eager and vocal about their warnings – there’s an terrible lot of beeping and blinking lights. Comparable programs of rival manufacturers are inclined to do the identical jobs with much less annoyance.
Authorities crash scores are an ideal 5 stars throughout the board. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety additionally named it a Prime Security Choose for its best-possible crash safety and prevention scores. Its headlight scores had been additionally higher than most and its LATCH youngster seat anchors acquired the best-possible “Good+” score (a part of that’s the reality the Outback has a uncommon center LATCH anchor).
