The Subaru Forester is a capable off-road SUV as is, but its Wilderness trim takes the SUV up a notch. The Forester is no stranger to the great outdoors and the Wilderness trim helps it dominate obstacles and tricky terrain. Here’s why the 2022 Subaru Wilderness is the best new affordable off-road SUV.

The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness is a natural off-road beast

The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness starts at $32,820. This price may seem average, and it is higher than some off-road crossover trims, but the value the Wilderness provides is what makes it such a steal. The Forester Wilderness should be considered affordable because of its unique capabilities.

One of the main reasons the Forester Wilderness is better equipped for off-roading than rivals is its amazing ground clearance. The Forester has a whopping 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Wilderness trim gets a lift to 9.3 inches. The Forester’s ground clearance was already an off-roading advantage and the Wilderness has ensured that the SUV will easily pass over most obstacles without harming any components.

Ground clearance is important to off-roading vehicles because jagged obstacles can badly damage a vehicle’s undercarriage and vital mechanical components. Good ground clearance can help drivers avoid getting stuck while off-roading or getting hit with hefty repair fees after a day out on the trail. The Forester Wilderness is the M.C. Hammer of off-road SUVs, obstacles can’t touch this.

The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness comes with plenty of off-roading goodies

Off-roading has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Major automakers like Honda are rolling out new off-road trims. Even minivans like the Toyota Sienna are getting off-road trims. So what off-roading features does the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness offer to stand out from the crowd?

The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness’ roof rack can hold a static load (while vehicle is not moving) of 800 pounds, perfect for a roof box for supplies or even a tent. Its seats are partially water-resistant in case you encounter a small crossable stream while adventuring.

The Forester Wilderness has an approach angle of 23.5 and a departure angle of 25.4. It features a re-tuned suspension for enhanced stability when off-roading. The Forester Wilderness also includes several off-road driving modes specifically designed for different types of terrain like snow and mud.

The SUV comes with Subaru’s standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. According to Road Show by CNET, the Forester Wilderness is incredibly smooth off-road. It even comes with a front skid plate in case its massive ground clearance still isn’t enough to keep the Forester from getting seriously damaged.

The new Forester Wilderness works as a daily driver as well

Some vehicles like the Toyota Tacoma function well off-road but aren’t the best daily drivers because of poor fuel efficiency or on-road handling. The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness works well as a daily driver despite its unique build.

The Forester Wilderness uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 182 horsepower. It gets 28 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The SUV isn’t a gas guzzler and provides enough power and handling to work as a great daily driver. It’s perfect for weekend warriors that hit the trails right after a long work week.