The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness is a compact SUV chock full of off-road goodies for thrill-seekers and weekend warriors. The Forester has always had off-roading chops thanks to its unique design, but its Wilderness trim takes things up a notch. Here’s why the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness is the perfect off-road SUV.

The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness has incredible ground clearance

The Subaru Forester Wilderness is the Forester’s full potential realized. The Subaru Forester was always capable off-road, thanks to its high ground clearance. High ground clearance allows vehicles to drive over obstacles like rocks without damaging important mechanical components. The Subaru Forester typically has 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

According to an off-road buying guide from Edmunds, anything above 8.5 inches of ground clearance is considered ideal for off-roading. The Wilderness trim has a whopping 9.2 inches of ground clearance and even adds a front skid plate for additional protection.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness’ higher ground clearance and skid plate allow it to tackle rough terrain without worry. The Wilderness trim takes the Forester from casual off-road vehicle to professional off-road vehicle.

The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness comes with plenty of off-road features

The 2022 Subaru Forester WIlderness doesn’t just add ground clearance to the Forester. The Forester Wilderness also comes with Yokohama GEOLANDAR all-terrain tires. It also features a full-size wheel and spare tire to replace any flat tires while off-roading.

The Forester Wilderness features an enhanced dual-function X-MODE, Subaru’s adaptive terrain control system. The system comes with options for several different types of tricky terrain, including mud and deep snow.

The off-road SUV features standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, a Subaru exclusive that provides maximum traction in different types of terrain. It also includes a front-view monitor system that allows drivers to view obstacles from a different perspective while off-roading.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness even comes with redesigned roof rails that hold more weight. These roof rails can support up to 800 pounds of static weight, making the Forester Wilderness perfect for a rooftop tent.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness doesn’t break the bank

The last reason that the Subaru Forester Wilderness is the perfect off-road SUV is that it doesn’t break the bank. The Forester Wilderness starts at just $32,820. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon starts at $40,500 in comparison.

The Forester WIlderness is made for climbing and overcoming off-roading obstacles. It’s a steal at $32,820 because of its capabilities. Between the Forester Wilderness’ high ground clearance, several driving modes, and off-road tires, it is one of the best off-road SUVs on the market. It may not get as much attention as the Wrangler or the Bronco, but this SUV knows its way around a trail.