Subaru is getting dangerously close to pulling a Jeep with this new Subaru Wilderness teaser. Teasers like this can be a touch on the annoying side. However, the thrill of a new Wilderness model has us intrigued enough to push that aside. Although the teaser is basically worthless, the going theory is that the next Wilderness model will be the 2022 Subaru Forester. 

Does the Subaru Forester have a Wilderness edition? 

The folks at Autoblog are flexing their Subaru bodywork knowledge by seeing a Forester in the tiny bit of car we see in these teaser images. Obviously, the point of the photo is to show the bold-yellow WIlderness badge. 

Autoblog noted that they could make out the placement of the side mirror and styling creases on the door and fender. Referencing it against other Subaru models that don’t have Wilderness trims, the only model that fits is the Forester. Not to diminish the expert knowledge of another automotive publication, the car in this teaser couldn’t really be anything but a 2022 Subaru Forester. There aren’t really any other options on account of the Subaru Outback Wilderness covers the regular model and the Legacy, which leaves the Impreza line, Ascent, and BRZ. 

The Subaru Crosstrek covers the Impreza side of things (although a Crosstrek Wilderness would make a lot of sense), the Subaru Ascent is likely too big to be the car shown here, and the Subaru BRZ doesn’t have all-wheel drive, leaving the 2022 Subaru Forester as the only real option. 

Looks like the 2022 Subaru Forester will get the Wilderness package after all

The teaser also shows this vibrant blue hue which looks to be coming to the Forester Wilderness. This is a nice touch because this is kind of THE Subaru blue. As we know from the Outback Wilderness, the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness will likely also get covered in heavy black cladding, the enhanced AWD X-mode, off-road tires, and more ground clearance. 

It should come as no surprise that Subaru has given no release date for the possible 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness. However, it will most likely debut late this year or early next year. 

Will Subaru end up making more Wilderness models? 

The 2022 Subaru Outback is the best shot we have at decoding this future special trim. The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness is truly a thing of beauty. Unlike so many of the other “off-road” trims for other crossovers, the Outback Wilderness has the chassis and drivetrain to make an off-road version viable. 

The heavy black plastic cladding that defines the Wilderness package is not all the special trim offers. The tuned chassis, suspension lift, all-terrain tires, and some other odds and ends also add to the coolness of the trim. However, it’s the enhanced X-Drive mode that may be the special sauce. 

If customers step up and actually buy this no-brainer Outback trim, then Subaru will likely continue to expand the line. At least, it would give it a much better chance. The Wilderness trim is so perfectly aligned with the Subaru ethos that if the money comes and the cars sell, we can probably expect to see more tough off-road-specific trims for the Subaru line. For now, we just have to wait and see if the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness is real or not.