The new Subaru Outback Wilderness is finally hitting the internet. The name might not sound very different, but the Wilderness part is. Check out some of the new features that make the Subaru Outback Wilderness worth a second look.

What’s new in the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness?

The new 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness is ready for just that: the wilderness. According to Car and Driver, Subaru decided to up the suspension by 0.8 inches to make a total of 9.5 inches of ground clearance.

Subaru calls the Outback Wilderness the “most rugged and capable Outback in the auto manufacturer’s history” in a press release. And to be fair, it does seem that way.

The front approach angle is 20.0 degrees, while the ramp break-over angle is set to 21.2 degrees. The departure angle moved to 23.6 degrees. This basically means it is easier for the Outback to climb stuff. It also has better all-terrain tires.

It is an improvement over the 2021 model but still isn’t comparable to a Jeep Wrangler Sport, for instance. The 2.4L flat-four still gets 260 hp with 277 lb ft of torque and a CVT automatic transmission.

Additionally, Subaru added a full-size spare for those “oops” moments, on and off-road. It is a crossover, an SUV, and a less-mild-than-usual off-road machine.

This likely won’t be the last of the Wilderness-branded Subarus we see. It would not surprise us to see a Crosstrek Wilderness or Impreza Wilderness in the future.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek better than the Outback?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is a hatchback crossover SUV with a few trim levels, but which one is right for you? The Premium, Sport, Limited, and Hybrid models vary in price from $22,000 to $35,000.

The Crosstrek Premium trim has a few options, but the base model comes with standard all-wheel-drive. The base trim starts at $22,245 and gets 33 miles per gallon on the highway and 28 in the city.

The Sport trim has X-MODE and Hill Descent Control for those off-roading days. X-mode allows the Crosstrek to traverse different terrains with different modes. These include normal, sand/mud, and snow/ice.

Without the pricing of the Outback Wilderness, it is hard to say which car is better. If you are serious about your life on the dirt, both the Outback and the Crosstrek will work.

What is the average life of a Subaru Outback?

As with any car, the Subaru Outback can last over 100,000 miles with proper maintenance. Depending on how you use your Outback Wilderness, it might require a little extra upkeep.

Subaru notes that some of the safety features had been re-tooled to match the off-roading abilities, which is a good sign for longevity. Consumer Reports gave the 2021 Outback a three out of five for predicted reliability.

The predicted owner satisfaction scored a four out of five. Not bad ratings. Since the Wilderness package is new, we don’t know how the normal wear and tear will impact it. As you make your way through the miles, it is good to take your car in for service regularly.

Check your oil levels and the suspension if you regularly take it off-road.