Outback Wilderness keeps pace with off-roaders
Subaru takes direct aim at the growing outdoorsy market
There likely isn’t an automaker that’s better positioned than Subaru to confront the mainstream off-road-vehicle market dominated by Jeep plus hard-core-appointed Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota models.
With all-wheel drive as standard for the Outback, Subaru needed only to equip the new model with the requisite gear to create the Wilderness trim level.
Actually, Subaru previously tested the waters for this concept when it introduced the Impreza-based Crosstrek for 2013. The Outback Wilderness, although similar, has considerably more space, content and performance.
Spotting the Wilderness edition is easy. Subaru has attached additional front, side and rear protective cladding to the body, which includes irregular-shaped pieces surrounding the front and rear fenders. They do, however, take away from the wagon’s overall attractive design.
For some reason, orangey yellow (anodized copper-colored) accents are found on the rocker-panel plastics, roof rack, tow-hook covers and on the steering wheel and gear selector.
The Wilderness gets 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which is close to an inch more than what the regular Outback has. That was primarily achieved through longer front and rear springs and shock absorbers, allowing the Wilderness to clamber over larger rocks and through deeper ditches. A protective front skid plate has been added.
A set of 17-inch Yokohama all-weather tires, including one for the full-size spare, round out the package. They run quietly on pavement plus there’s likely no need to swap them out for winter tires. The entire Wilderness setup doesn’t detract in any way from the Outback’s secure ride and handling qualities on the highway, which is a bonus.
The standard beefed-up, ladder-type roof rack can handle a static weight of 700 pounds, which is sufficient to support a roof-top tent plus a couple of occupants. Towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds.
Interior adjustments include water-repellent seat coverings, all-weather floor and cargo mats and brushed aluminum pedals.
Subaru’s turbocharged, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine, which is also available with the Ascent and Legacy models, plus regular Outbacks, is standard for the Wilderness. It produces 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque and easily delivers sufficient grunt when accelerating to highway speeds.
Fuel economy is rated at 22 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway and 24 combined.
The accompanying continuously variable transmission has paddle shifters and controls eight built-in steps. That makes the CVT function somewhat like a geared automatic though there are no set gears.
The transmission and rear differential have been modified to direct more low-end torque to the rear wheels, allowing the Wilderness to scramble up loose-gravel gradients of up to 40 percent (22 degrees).
Subaru’s X-mode AWD system has driver-controlled Snow/dirt and Deep Snow/mud modes.
Pricing for the Wilderness, including destination fees, starts at $38,100. That’s more expensive than the base Outback that lists for about $28,100, but it’s less costly than the top-level Touring trim that sells for $41,100.
Standard equipment includes several conveniences and safety-tech features plus an 11.6-inch touch screen, 180-degree front-view monitor and hands-free power-operated hatch.
Optional is a navigation system, power moonroof and reverse emergency braking.
Unlike most vehicles designed specifically for rough and tough adventuring, the Wilderness’s benign character might fool you into believing it’s not up to the task. But Subaru has devised a comfortable, well-appointed vehicle that should please most buyers, especially those who travel to remote fishing/hunting spots, backwoods camps or cottages or other far-flung destinations.
For 2022, Subaru’s smaller-but-taller Forester utility vehicle will also get the Wilderness treatment — with less horsepower — but with the same near-extreme functionality.
As the off-road movement gains traction — pun intended — it’s a good bet that the Subaru Outback Wilderness will be keeping pace that group.