I own a 2018 Forester since new. It’s great on road and off. Never has failed me on during rough Wisconsin winters or rough driving. Now in Maryland and still a great car on and off. No I don’t climb rocks or logs etc. But, it gets me to where I can.
Hey Steven. How is the Forester treating you since? And is the cost of maintenance low or high? Deciding whether or not to get the Wilderness for a small family of 4
FYI the wilderness outback does not have the harmon/kardon system but the wilderness forester does. That was the single reason I chose the forester version. This was not mentioned in the video, i think there is too much fixation on the turbo engine imo
I went with the autumn green Forester Wilderness. I was stuck between this and the Outback Wilderness, but couldn’t justify the price difference nor the horrible infotainment screen and reliability of the turbo after 100k miles. The Forester will get me to the campgrounds and on service roads with ease, and is at a great price point.
Me too. Just bought it a few days ago. Love it even though the radio amp blew the second day. They ordered a new one so will hopefully have a radio next week.
This was my literal justification for the forester wilderness over the Outback wilderness that not a lot of people talk about. For me, It came down to price, longevity concern, and do I truly like the station wagon look as an every day car? I went with a back forester wilderness about a month ago, and I must admit, for weeks I was down on myself thinking that I made the wrong choice especially after seeing the love that the Outback wilderness gets online, I actually thought the bigger infotainment felt more premium, and how genuinely cool the blacked out outback looks. I’m kind of getting over this second guessing as of late. How has your forester wilderness held up? Any regrets or concerns at the moment?
We have the geyser blue and out of 45 years of purchasing vehicles the forester wilderness is not the most expensive but it is our favorite of the many we have bought. The only thing I would add is port injection to help keep the intake valves clean
I think we will need to wait for the next generation. Crosstreck was the first one that came out with the new Subaru Global Platform. Subaru is already testing the new gen so it will be soon.
I have a Forester Wilderness and a RAV4 with the panoramic sunroof. Although there’s more glass on the RAV4 which allows more light, the opening on the Forester is twice as big when fully opened and actually feels like a panoramic sunroof. Love both SUVs.
@@TheCrooksandCastle I drive both often. Pros and Cons. Subaru is extremely roomy, capable (especially off road), well built and reliable. I love that it’s built in Japan. The infotainment is great. Harmon Kardon sounds amazing. Sunroof is huge and very roomy all around. The visibility is epic. Resale value is also great. It is also extremely capable off road. I never worry about going over anything. Cons: It is very slow and thirsty. Mind you I drive fast and average 22mpg. It also has stop/start which is very irritating to turn off every time. Toyota: very responsive. I also made sure the one I have was built in Japan. I average 35 mpg mixed with my lead foot. The 10 speaker JBL is also very good. The tires are econo tires so in rain it is not as surefooted as the Forester. The interior feels more cramped and has less rear space than the forester, but more behind the second row in the cargo area. The Rav does not have stop/start per se and it is surprising quick. There is more glass in the panoramic, but it is almost insulting how small the roof opens. I would not recommend getting it. Resale is also amazing. You can’t go wrong with either. If you are light footed and are in winter climates, the Subaru is amazing. It’s also the better family vehicle if that’s your only car. It also feels way more open and airy. If you drive a lot and need the gas mileage and love something more responsive and more nimble, the Rav is better. I enjoy driving it more. There is also the Woodland Edition which may be the best of both worlds, but it’s not very well equipped compared to what I have in the Rav or the forester. Doesn’t even come with a power lift gate. I hope this helps you.
No on the Outback Wilderness with a higher price tag. Yes on the Forester Wilderness. No on the turbo on the latter. Thanks for the review. Have one on order without a single add on.
I just got my new Forester Wilderness 2 weeks ago. I'm in Canada and the Harmon Kardon stereo is not an option in the Wilderness. But it does come standard with a power rear hatch, all the skid plates and a heated steering wheel. Anyway, I listened to the base stereo before the dealer PDI'd it and it was not good. I compared it to a Limited Forester they had with the Harmon Kardon sound system and the HK was way better than the base level stereo. The dealer offered the Rockford Fosgate. They said installed it would be about $900 cdn. They admitted that for the money I could probably get a better system aftermarket. However, it would not be covered under the Subaru Warranty like this one would and if any trim was damaged during the install, the dealer would be responsible. Well, they actually did scratch a trim piece and they replaced it no problem. They also said if any aftermarket system required them to rewire the inputs on factory head system (which is inevitable) my warranty on those components might be void. I opted for the dealer installed Rockford Fosgate option. I'm glad I did. I'm no audio file, but it’s way way better than the base level. I again compared it to the HK system in the Limited. The HK system has better base (subwoofer in back). The Rockford just adds new speakers for the front row with an amplifier. If you’re sitting in the front row, it sounds almost as good as the HK. In the 2nd row, you don't get as much of the benefit that the front row gets. But hey, my 7 year old is always telling me to “turn down the volume” anyway. So, if you didn't or can't get the Harmon Kardon system, the Rockford Fosgate is well worth it. Get it!
Hey Cliff. On the Wilderness you get better suspension, slightly higher ground clearance, a beefier transmission, better fog lights, stronger roof rails, transmission cooler, double tow capacity, easier clean seats, transmission cooler, slightly better acceleration, black interior headliner, rear differential heat gauge, front view camera, full size spare tire with matching aluminum wheel, skid plates, all weather floor mats and all terrain tires with the snowflake rating - so I don't have to buy an extra set of wheels and tires - change them twice a year and store them. I personally like the looks of the Wilderness infinitely more. I never used my heated seats in my last car, so that wasn't important. I'm not a fan of leather upholstery when it gets older either and you have to clean it differently. The only part that I had concerns about before I made the decision to buy the Wilderness was sacrificing some gas mileage. But I'm coming from a 4Runner, so it seems great. So far, I absolutely love my Wilderness. No regrets AT ALL. But the only feature I hate is the auto start stop. I'm still trying to get in the habit of disabling it every time I start the car. But most new cars have it, not just Subarus or a Wilderness thing.
@Cliff from Canada be glad you don’t get the tpms - it’s a pain in the a$$, always displays warning lights on your dashboard and expensive to change as the batteries die and you have to pull off the wheel and tire to do it. Mine is Magnetite Grey as well. I love it. The Geyser blue looks odd in the sunlight, too many white cars, the silver doesn't suit the Wilderness, the green also changes in different light and I'll never buy a black car again. You made the best choice!
I personally would go with the Outback Wilderness due to the turbo engine (I currently owned the 2020 Onyx XT). My wife and I brough my father-in law a Forester Wilderness back in Jan, manly in part of the looks, safety features, off-road capabilities and the smaller screen as I feel more hard buttons are best for him instead of the 11 inch screen. HE ABSOUTLYE LOVES HIS CAR!!!
@gary-gt-tsang I would love it if the forester had the 2.4T. I have the 2.4T in my wrx! I just don't like the wagon proportions of the Outback. Prefer the boxy proportions of the forester.
battery or alternator problem. there is a class action suit regarding premature draining of the batter. I just got stuck in Bronx River Parkway NY 20 minutes ago. good thing somebody helped me jumpstart my forester.
As a tall, long-torsoed individual, the space in the front row of the Forester is wonderful and hard to match in any vehicle. I haven't driven the Wilderness with the more aggressive low range CVT setup, but the performance with the old CVT, unfortunately, made it a non-starter. That said, I'd still take the Forester over the Outback because it fits us tall folks in a way that is hard to find.
The regular Forester is capable enough offroad for me and for most people, but I'm still considering the Wilderness because more is always better, just in case you need it. I am deciding between the Wilderness and the Touring, which surprises a lot of people since they are so different. Either trim will serve my offroading needs just fine, but the features of each trim make them both equally desirable to me. The Wilderness has more aggressive 'gearing' and a tranny cooler, front camera, beefed up roof rack, more towing, etc. But the Touring has that gorgeous caramel leather interior, heated steering wheel and rear seats, power passenger seat, way better fuel economy, etc. For me, it's a very tough choice since I plan on keeping this vehicle for many years. Personally, I'm not a fan of the Outback because it's just too big in my opinion, and I like the higher seating position and taller body of the Forester much more. If I could get the turbo in the Forester, of course I'd do it in a heartbeat, but the Outback's shape just doesn't appeal to me. That said, I think the 2.5 is adequate, particularly in the Wilderness due to the revised transmission.
So dis you decide the wilderness or the touring? Im in a very similar position but im looking at a limited inatead of touring. The wilderness cladding to me is sexy but i dont like the lower gas miles and increased road noise. I also dont do offroading and the limited can handle my deiving just fine
@@SageLakshmi I can't find a dealer who will honor the Subaru's VIP pricing program. They all still think they can charge whatever they want, but they don't realize that door has closed and buyers are returning to sanity as far as what they are willing to pay. I am reporting all of them to Subaru of America. That said, I plan to order the wilderness. I like the look and the mechanical upgrades.
@@dlg5485 oh i have no idea what the VIP program is. What are the dealerships in your region charging over msrp? In my area, they are charging $2000 usd over msrp.
@@SageLakshmi Subaru's VIP program allows you to get invoice pricing on the purchase of any new Subaru if you make a $500 donation to the ASPCA. Depending on the vehicle, you could get $3000 or more off MSRP, so it's well worth it. The problem is a lot of dealers have gotten too greedy since covid and they don't want to honor the program price. I have reported 2 dealers to Subaru of America because of this. Most dealers here in Ohio are charging MSRP or slightly above. I have never paid MSRP for a vehicle, let alone above it, so that's out of the question for me. People are nuts for paying these markups.
If I were at high altitude, would definitely want the turbo. If I keep after warranty expires, then “less is more”, no turbo fun. As you know, turbos spin at crazy rpm’s, would be very expensive to replace. I have 16 Outback, am considering new Wilderness Forester, much for its saving of a full foot in length in the garage/easier parking downtown. Also for its taller box for more upright seating and easier in and out of an e bike rolled on a short ramp. Bye.
I wonder does subaru fixed problems with engine oil leaks/consumption ,oil/coolant mixing faults and unfamous headgasket blowing tendency on 2.5 and 2.5T engines?
5:44 Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but my 2009 Forester Limited moon shade moves back and forward, so I am pretty sure this 2022 one will too. If not, I believe I saw it in a 2024 Forester.
Are you sure about the Outback W being better off road than the Forester W? I’m not sure the turbo helps that much in slow (pull-away) off-road situations, plus isn’t the transmission more capable on the Forester?
The Forester looks great and drives surprisingly well for what it is , but compact SUVs just are not my jam. I've driven a few Outbacks and I think they are great, mainly because of the sedan like driving experience. The midsize interior space just feels so much better. I drove a trail hawk today. It drove pretty good for what it is, but previous owner told me about 2 catastrophic failures (at east 1 being transfer case) that left them stranded before hitting 75,000 miles. If I could only pick a compact SUV, it would be the Forester.
subaru needs to update their interiors. the 2 screen setup is very 2010s honda, which was quirky back then, but now if you have a big touch screen it better have rich blacks
One of the big selling points for me for the Wilderness was that it doesn’t have a turbo. N/A engines have always been simpler and more reliable, and the Wilderness with the changes in gear ratios has plenty of power for anyone and everyone. If you want more power, then maybe you don’t actually want a crossover or an SUV that you can take off road knowing it’ll get you there and back again without a problem. You also didn’t mention that this is the last chance to get your hands on a Subaru that actually has physical buttons and knobs. Not a touch screen just to change the heat temp.
How is the bronco sport not in your competitor's list? The badlands would be more capable off-road and more adventure focused than a typical crossover.
I have the Subaru Forester Wilderness. I absolutely love it! I can honestly say people that gripe about and hate on Subarus just aren't Subaru people. I've always been a Subie fan girl.
Hello. We’ve had 6 Subarus over 3 decades, no oil burning issues. Wife had a 16 Outback and now 21 Outback, fine, my current is 16 Outback and fine. I’ve also heard of several years of a certain engine that liked oil, but we’ve avoided such. Also have heard of head gasket problems, probably way back, and avoided those. Deep snow go is what we are after and enjoy resting assured all models have very good crash ratings. I would like more sound insulation, especially when stepping hard on the gas. That is much improved for wife’s 21 Touring edition. Newest ones with big 11.6” computer tablet control screens not my favorite. Very few knobs and switches for quick easy adjustments. 24 Forester will have the big computer screen. Hope this helps.
Good on you Alex for Posting Ukrainian American Red Cross, which I donated to! Never a more urgent nor relevant cause to donate towards TODAY ! A note on the Subaru Forester; do they offer it in PHEV or will it become fully EV soon ?! Subaru could display industry leadership by offering their class leading Forester, as the true All Weather/All Road/All Adventure machine... with Vehicle-to-Grid (run appliances, coffee machine, lights, battery powered chainsaw, laptop, etc.)
Thanks for the review. Well done and I am a subscriber now. Subaru forester wilderness over outback but I'm 6'3 so the headroom is important to me and I never feel comfortable in an outback. I considered the cherokee trailhawk but I like forester much more. I think safety features are much better and space is much better. I don't need the locking real diff for my uses.
Watching this in 2023 and although i know it isn't an ideal comparison, I'm shopping this against the upcoming Prius AWD. Any thoughts? Also, the Alex/Brian dynamic reminds me of The Life Aquatic.
They’re hexagonal (hex·AG·o·nal) fog lamps, Alex. But you knew that. We have a 2019 Forester and, other than the lame CVT, it has performed well. I’m hoping not to have to replace it for many more years.
Revisiting these videos as I’m hoping to downsize from my ‘22 Passport which has a lease due up in January ‘25. With ordering delays for some models/brands I figured I need to start thinking early. I’d love a Forester with a supercharged engine. Engine power is the biggest drawback for it now, along with CVT. I’ll also check into which RAV4 models I could get the torque vectoring awd on. The Bronco Sport is also in my short list, as well as Acura RDX. But if the Honda Prologue turns out spec’s/priced attractively to me, I may go that route even if it’s not really any smaller than my Passport.
Also fun knowledge nugget on the Cherokee... it doesn't physically lock the drive to both axles with interlocking bits of metal like a traditional 4wd truck would, it's just that the transfer clutch to the rear axle is hydraulic and strong enough to not slip even under full power. So in the right offroad mode the pressure gets cranked all the way up and it can't slip so it emulates traditional 4wd pretty darn well.
Bronco sport as a competitor? It is a crossover and has probably close to the same offroad ability... No idea on pricing of those, but it seems like something someone would consider.
between the forester and the outback I would probably go forester as well. I love the outback but it comes with a big pricetag and if I was going to pay that much more I would get the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. They do have lots of reliability issues but they can really do some offroad stuff.
Alex more electric powered seats means more things to break down the road. Also Turbos fail within 100K and its expensive with labor. i will get this now that the new one is out
Would the Wilderness line extend to the Impreza? Or with its lineage, just make it a rally version? Yes, I realize WRX & the STI are the factory rally cars, but there's not a lot of off road body cladding protection on them.
The CVT ruins it for me. Plus they need to replace that cheap Panasonic battery with a better one that can actually handle the load. After multiple jumps on our 2021 Forester, I replaced it with a $300 X2-Power AGM. No more problems after 6 months.
I prefer the Forester's dimensions and seating position over the Outback, but will not buy without the turbo. I would have gladly paid 1500 - 2k more for that upgrade.
I’d also be concerned about the reliability of the turbo long term. I have test driven both, and the Forester has plenty of power. Honestly the screen in the Outback is what killed it for me, as all your controls are within the screen as well as the UI is pretty clunky.
you should watch Ryan's video from Driving sports TV. he did climb test with snow covered trail with Forester W vs Jeep trail hawk. You'll change your mind that Trail hawk is more capable.
Being a car owner who considers himself at the core of the demographic that Subaru is targeting here, I wash my Forester 3-4 times a year, on average, so that probably tells you how important wheel color is to me. Subaru knows that, so why invest resources into such a detail? 😁
Alex, In considering compact Faux X Faux CUVs, I note this Forester fails to match the 3,500 lbs tow rating of the 203 hp RAV4 Adventure. In regard to black alloy wheels and black hood overlays, the answer is an emphatic NO!!!!😁
Can we get Brian an AoA jacket? The red was kind of distracting. This was a truly exceptional review. Every other review was taking the piss on the cladding.
Guys I know that wear a hard hat all day (me included) approx100-115, of those guys, the number that drive or will drive a Subaru...Zero, lol. I do enjoy when you have another person to banter with.
Black wheels are obviously cheaper to produce since they can use any old metal underneath the paint. But the blacked-out look is cool because the marketing guys say it's cool and why should anyone under thirty think otherwise?
I own a 2019 Forester that we inherited, and I gotta say, a ton of little things have added up to make me LOATHE the thing. Some random items: - Crash avoidance is very aggressive. Someone pulls out infront of me with plenth of room, and the thing is beeping like crazy and hitting the brakes. - The car has 25k miles on it and the interior rattles like it has 100k miles - We nicknamed it "Beaker" because it sounds like the muppet -- it beeps constantly at everything. Driving using cruise control? It beeps every time it detects and loses detection of vehicles. If you try to lock the door while another door is open (which does work, it'll lock when the door closes), it beeps FIVE times. - Cupholder design is bad and often results in spills while lifting cups without very secure lids (such as fast food or coffees) - The auto-engine-shutoff at redlights, etc, often waits too long and then turns off right when you're about to take off. I swear it trolls me intentionally. - Auto-engine-shutoff also poorly manages air conditioning. - X-mode works like shit. This scenario usually happens, so I don't use it: Driving in decent snow, but there is an icy/hard patch, and it will automatically swap back to "normal" and then you can't put it back into snow-mode while driving above like 5mph. Feels completely useless.
We have a 2020 Outback Onyx XT...love it...except for the atrocious info-center. A winter wheel pkg. works wonders, and highway tires for other 3 seasons. 😀 If Toyota made something as good as this, I would lean toward that brand. 😇
No offense, but no better way to say city slicker than to wear silly a construction helmet when using a chainsaw. If you’re going to wear protective gear, start with chaps.
after owning a subaru- I can tell you they are overated big time. on any steep incline-they dont have the low range or the torque. save your $ and get a toyota or ford
I mean... get a toyota or a ford if you dont need the awd. But if you need the awd then Subaru is the best choice hands down. I don't want to have to get an upgraded trim level on a Rav 4 just to 4wd
I don’t think the 0-60 is 7.7 seconds, it’s impossible for wilderness to do 7.7 seconds when the other trims with exactly the same engine go 9.6 seconds, no matter how you improve the CVT, that’s impossible, redline did 0-60 in 9.2 seconds, a bit faster than other trims.
Alex tested it at sea level. Redline tested it at 3200 feet. Car & Driver got 8.0 seconds. It's not just an improved transmission - It's a different model.
An improved transmission makes all the difference in the world. It has a different final drive gear, and better gearing for the cvt, which gives it 25% more torque through the transmission. This explains the improved 0-60.
The Outback wilderness seems like a better buy. Nicer interior, more ground clearance, and a turbo, which means a lot more torque to wheels with grip. But I have a 2022 Outback XT limited. 😜 The turbo is an absolute screamer and with winter tires, it has all of the capability I need on snow packed dirt roads. I also like the quiet and comfort features of the limited, which include acoustic glass and extendable thigh cushion, adjustable lumbar etc., all things you don’t get in the Wilderness. My last car was a Volvo V70 though, so I am biased towards wagons. 😜 I just convinced a family member to get an Outback Wilderness over the Forester Wilderness; all they had to do was sit in my car and find out about the turbo and they were sold.
Black wheels are a pita to keep clean and for that one reason I will never have them, and thst goes for all other wheels with black/chrome or brushed metal finishes. Gimme me plain silver-ish any day!
I own a 2018 Forester since new. It’s great on road and off. Never has failed me on during rough Wisconsin winters or rough driving. Now in Maryland and still a great car on and off. No I don’t climb rocks or logs etc. But, it gets me to where I can.
Hey Steven. How is the Forester treating you since? And is the cost of maintenance low or high? Deciding whether or not to get the Wilderness for a small family of 4
Driving through Midwest winters isn’t a joke. I definitely think one of the off road compatible suvs are perfect for the area.
FYI the wilderness outback does not have the harmon/kardon system but the wilderness forester does. That was the single reason I chose the forester version. This was not mentioned in the video, i think there is too much fixation on the turbo engine imo
I went with the autumn green Forester Wilderness. I was stuck between this and the Outback Wilderness, but couldn’t justify the price difference nor the horrible infotainment screen and reliability of the turbo after 100k miles. The Forester will get me to the campgrounds and on service roads with ease, and is at a great price point.
That's the one I bought. The autumn green metallic with the copper contrast is the best looking IMHO.🙌🏼
GREAT CHOICE 👍
what's your MPG right now? I heard it's terrible whe n you get it new!
Me too. Just bought it a few days ago. Love it even though the radio amp blew the second day. They ordered a new one so will hopefully have a radio next week.
This was my literal justification for the forester wilderness over the Outback wilderness that not a lot of people talk about. For me, It came down to price, longevity concern, and do I truly like the station wagon look as an every day car? I went with a back forester wilderness about a month ago, and I must admit, for weeks I was down on myself thinking that I made the wrong choice especially after seeing the love that the Outback wilderness gets online, I actually thought the bigger infotainment felt more premium, and how genuinely cool the blacked out outback looks. I’m kind of getting over this second guessing as of late. How has your forester wilderness held up? Any regrets or concerns at the moment?
We have the geyser blue and out of 45 years of purchasing vehicles the forester wilderness is not the most expensive but it is our favorite of the many we have bought. The only thing I would add is port injection to help keep the intake valves clean
My guess is Subaru will put a hybrid before a turbo to boost power output into the next redesign.
I'm curious to see what the (hopefully forthcoming) Crosstrek Wilderness will have to offer...
I think we will need to wait for the next generation. Crosstreck was the first one that came out with the new Subaru Global Platform.
Subaru is already testing the new gen so it will be soon.
I like Black wheels and the black hood graphics. It gives the trim it's unique look.
I have a Forester Wilderness and a RAV4 with the panoramic sunroof. Although there’s more glass on the RAV4 which allows more light, the opening on the Forester is twice as big when fully opened and actually feels like a panoramic sunroof. Love both SUVs.
can we get an update, do you still like both? which one do you drive more often? any thing you dislike so far?
@@TheCrooksandCastle I drive both often. Pros and Cons. Subaru is extremely roomy, capable (especially off road), well built and reliable. I love that it’s built in Japan. The infotainment is great. Harmon Kardon sounds amazing. Sunroof is huge and very roomy all around. The visibility is epic. Resale value is also great. It is also extremely capable off road. I never worry about going over anything. Cons: It is very slow and thirsty. Mind you I drive fast and average 22mpg. It also has stop/start which is very irritating to turn off every time.
Toyota: very responsive. I also made sure the one I have was built in Japan. I average 35 mpg mixed with my lead foot. The 10 speaker JBL is also very good. The tires are econo tires so in rain it is not as surefooted as the Forester. The interior feels more cramped and has less rear space than the forester, but more behind the second row in the cargo area. The Rav does not have stop/start per se and it is surprising quick. There is more glass in the panoramic, but it is almost insulting how small the roof opens. I would not recommend getting it. Resale is also amazing. You can’t go wrong with either. If you are light footed and are in winter climates, the Subaru is amazing. It’s also the better family vehicle if that’s your only car. It also feels way more open and airy. If you drive a lot and need the gas mileage and love something more responsive and more nimble, the Rav is better. I enjoy driving it more. There is also the Woodland Edition which may be the best of both worlds, but it’s not very well equipped compared to what I have in the Rav or the forester. Doesn’t even come with a power lift gate. I hope this helps you.
@@jshizzle2097 thank you so much!
No on the Outback Wilderness with a higher price tag. Yes on the Forester Wilderness. No on the turbo on the latter. Thanks for the review. Have one on order without a single add on.
Y'all went all in on the lumberjack. Love it!
I just got my new Forester Wilderness 2 weeks ago. I'm in Canada and the Harmon Kardon stereo is not an option in the Wilderness. But it does come standard with a power rear hatch, all the skid plates and a heated steering wheel.
Anyway, I listened to the base stereo before the dealer PDI'd it and it was not good. I compared it to a Limited Forester they had with the Harmon Kardon sound system and the HK was way better than the base level stereo.
The dealer offered the Rockford Fosgate. They said installed it would be about $900 cdn. They admitted that for the money I could probably get a better system aftermarket. However, it would not be covered under the Subaru Warranty like this one would and if any trim was damaged during the install, the dealer would be responsible. Well, they actually did scratch a trim piece and they replaced it no problem. They also said if any aftermarket system required them to rewire the inputs on factory head system (which is inevitable) my warranty on those components might be void.
I opted for the dealer installed Rockford Fosgate option. I'm glad I did. I'm no audio file, but it’s way way better than the base level. I again compared it to the HK system in the Limited. The HK system has better base (subwoofer in back). The Rockford just adds new speakers for the front row with an amplifier. If you’re sitting in the front row, it sounds almost as good as the HK. In the 2nd row, you don't get as much of the benefit that the front row gets. But hey, my 7 year old is always telling me to “turn down the volume” anyway.
So, if you didn't or can't get the Harmon Kardon system, the Rockford Fosgate is well worth it. Get it!
Hey Cliff. On the Wilderness you get better suspension, slightly higher ground clearance, a beefier transmission, better fog lights, stronger roof rails, transmission cooler, double tow capacity, easier clean seats, transmission cooler, slightly better acceleration, black interior headliner, rear differential heat gauge, front view camera, full size spare tire with matching aluminum wheel, skid plates, all weather floor mats and all terrain tires with the snowflake rating - so I don't have to buy an extra set of wheels and tires - change them twice a year and store them. I personally like the looks of the Wilderness infinitely more. I never used my heated seats in my last car, so that wasn't important. I'm not a fan of leather upholstery when it gets older either and you have to clean it differently.
The only part that I had concerns about before I made the decision to buy the Wilderness was sacrificing some gas mileage. But I'm coming from a 4Runner, so it seems great. So far, I absolutely love my Wilderness. No regrets AT ALL.
But the only feature I hate is the auto start stop. I'm still trying to get in the habit of disabling it every time I start the car. But most new cars have it, not just Subarus or a Wilderness thing.
@Cliff from Canada be glad you don’t get the tpms - it’s a pain in the a$$, always displays warning lights on your dashboard and expensive to change as the batteries die and you have to pull off the wheel and tire to do it. Mine is Magnetite Grey as well. I love it. The Geyser blue looks odd in the sunlight, too many white cars, the silver doesn't suit the Wilderness, the green also changes in different light and I'll never buy a black car again. You made the best choice!
I personally would go with the Outback Wilderness due to the turbo engine (I currently owned the 2020 Onyx XT). My wife and I brough my father-in law a Forester Wilderness back in Jan, manly in part of the looks, safety features, off-road capabilities and the smaller screen as I feel more hard buttons are best for him instead of the 11 inch screen. HE ABSOUTLYE LOVES HIS CAR!!!
@gary-gt-tsang I would love it if the forester had the 2.4T. I have the 2.4T in my wrx! I just don't like the wagon proportions of the Outback. Prefer the boxy proportions of the forester.
battery or alternator problem. there is a class action suit regarding premature draining of the batter. I just got stuck in Bronx River Parkway NY 20 minutes ago. good thing somebody helped me jumpstart my forester.
As a tall, long-torsoed individual, the space in the front row of the Forester is wonderful and hard to match in any vehicle.
I haven't driven the Wilderness with the more aggressive low range CVT setup, but the performance with the old CVT, unfortunately, made it a non-starter.
That said, I'd still take the Forester over the Outback because it fits us tall folks in a way that is hard to find.
I like the front camera for ease of parking
Thanks for the video! I love this more utility focused approach to your reviews. I think it's an important perspective to have as a new car shopper.
I'd get the Forester Wilderness. In fact, I just got one at the end of December.
The back and forth was great in this review
The regular Forester is capable enough offroad for me and for most people, but I'm still considering the Wilderness because more is always better, just in case you need it. I am deciding between the Wilderness and the Touring, which surprises a lot of people since they are so different. Either trim will serve my offroading needs just fine, but the features of each trim make them both equally desirable to me. The Wilderness has more aggressive 'gearing' and a tranny cooler, front camera, beefed up roof rack, more towing, etc. But the Touring has that gorgeous caramel leather interior, heated steering wheel and rear seats, power passenger seat, way better fuel economy, etc. For me, it's a very tough choice since I plan on keeping this vehicle for many years.
Personally, I'm not a fan of the Outback because it's just too big in my opinion, and I like the higher seating position and taller body of the Forester much more. If I could get the turbo in the Forester, of course I'd do it in a heartbeat, but the Outback's shape just doesn't appeal to me. That said, I think the 2.5 is adequate, particularly in the Wilderness due to the revised transmission.
So dis you decide the wilderness or the touring? Im in a very similar position but im looking at a limited inatead of touring. The wilderness cladding to me is sexy but i dont like the lower gas miles and increased road noise. I also dont do offroading and the limited can handle my deiving just fine
@@SageLakshmi I can't find a dealer who will honor the Subaru's VIP pricing program. They all still think they can charge whatever they want, but they don't realize that door has closed and buyers are returning to sanity as far as what they are willing to pay. I am reporting all of them to Subaru of America. That said, I plan to order the wilderness. I like the look and the mechanical upgrades.
@@dlg5485 oh i have no idea what the VIP program is. What are the dealerships in your region charging over msrp? In my area, they are charging $2000 usd over msrp.
@@SageLakshmi Subaru's VIP program allows you to get invoice pricing on the purchase of any new Subaru if you make a $500 donation to the ASPCA. Depending on the vehicle, you could get $3000 or more off MSRP, so it's well worth it. The problem is a lot of dealers have gotten too greedy since covid and they don't want to honor the program price. I have reported 2 dealers to Subaru of America because of this.
Most dealers here in Ohio are charging MSRP or slightly above. I have never paid MSRP for a vehicle, let alone above it, so that's out of the question for me. People are nuts for paying these markups.
If I were at high altitude, would definitely want the turbo. If I keep after warranty expires, then “less is more”, no turbo fun. As you know, turbos spin at crazy rpm’s, would be very expensive to replace. I have 16 Outback, am considering new Wilderness Forester, much for its saving of a full foot in length in the garage/easier parking downtown. Also for its taller box for more upright seating and easier in and out of an e bike rolled on a short ramp. Bye.
I wonder does subaru fixed problems with engine oil leaks/consumption ,oil/coolant mixing faults and unfamous headgasket blowing tendency on 2.5 and 2.5T engines?
5:44 Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but my 2009 Forester Limited moon shade moves back and forward, so I am pretty sure this 2022 one will too. If not, I believe I saw it in a 2024 Forester.
I thought the black strip on the hood, was to help remove sun glare.
But I do like the black wheels.
Are you sure about the Outback W being better off road than the Forester W? I’m not sure the turbo helps that much in slow (pull-away) off-road situations, plus isn’t the transmission more capable on the Forester?
I know this is old, but you are correct! The transmission in the forester wilderness gives it a better crawl ratio than the outback wilderness.
The Forester looks great and drives surprisingly well for what it is , but compact SUVs just are not my jam. I've driven a few Outbacks and I think they are great, mainly because of the sedan like driving experience. The midsize interior space just feels so much better. I drove a trail hawk today. It drove pretty good for what it is, but previous owner told me about 2 catastrophic failures (at east 1 being transfer case) that left them stranded before hitting 75,000 miles. If I could only pick a compact SUV, it would be the Forester.
Would I be able to justify the cost of a turbo upgrade in my Forester Wilderness for a $2-3k premium? Absolutely!
subaru needs to update their interiors. the 2 screen setup is very 2010s honda, which was quirky back then, but now if you have a big touch screen it better have rich blacks
One of the big selling points for me for the Wilderness was that it doesn’t have a turbo. N/A engines have always been simpler and more reliable, and the Wilderness with the changes in gear ratios has plenty of power for anyone and everyone. If you want more power, then maybe you don’t actually want a crossover or an SUV that you can take off road knowing it’ll get you there and back again without a problem.
You also didn’t mention that this is the last chance to get your hands on a Subaru that actually has physical buttons and knobs. Not a touch screen just to change the heat temp.
How is the bronco sport not in your competitor's list? The badlands would be more capable off-road and more adventure focused than a typical crossover.
I have the Subaru Forester Wilderness. I absolutely love it! I can honestly say people that gripe about and hate on Subarus just aren't Subaru people. I've always been a Subie fan girl.
You forgot to mention the additional cooling mechanical parts added!
I’d have more confidence in the longevity of the non-turbo. Are we finally done with the oil burning problem in Subarus?
Hello. We’ve had 6 Subarus over 3 decades, no oil burning issues. Wife had a 16 Outback and now 21 Outback, fine, my current is 16 Outback and fine. I’ve also heard of several years of a certain engine that liked oil, but we’ve avoided such. Also have heard of head gasket problems, probably way back, and avoided those. Deep snow go is what we are after and enjoy resting assured all models have very good crash ratings. I would like more sound insulation, especially when stepping hard on the gas. That is much improved for wife’s 21 Touring edition. Newest ones with big 11.6” computer tablet control screens not my favorite. Very few knobs and switches for quick easy adjustments. 24 Forester will have the big computer screen. Hope this helps.
Good on you Alex for Posting Ukrainian American Red Cross, which I donated to! Never a more urgent nor relevant cause to donate towards TODAY ! A note on the Subaru Forester; do they offer it in PHEV or will it become fully EV soon ?!
Subaru could display industry leadership by offering their class leading Forester, as the true All Weather/All Road/All Adventure machine... with Vehicle-to-Grid (run appliances, coffee machine, lights, battery powered chainsaw, laptop, etc.)
Thank you for pointing it out, I will donate now as well.
Thanks for the review. Well done and I am a subscriber now. Subaru forester wilderness over outback but I'm 6'3 so the headroom is important to me and I never feel comfortable in an outback. I considered the cherokee trailhawk but I like forester much more. I think safety features are much better and space is much better. I don't need the locking real diff for my uses.
Watching this in 2023 and although i know it isn't an ideal comparison, I'm shopping this against the upcoming Prius AWD. Any thoughts? Also, the Alex/Brian dynamic reminds me of The Life Aquatic.
They’re hexagonal (hex·AG·o·nal) fog lamps, Alex. But you knew that. We have a 2019 Forester and, other than the lame CVT, it has performed well. I’m hoping not to have to replace it for many more years.
Revisiting these videos as I’m hoping to downsize from my ‘22 Passport which has a lease due up in January ‘25. With ordering delays for some models/brands I figured I need to start thinking early.
I’d love a Forester with a supercharged engine. Engine power is the biggest drawback for it now, along with CVT. I’ll also check into which RAV4 models I could get the torque vectoring awd on. The Bronco Sport is also in my short list, as well as Acura RDX. But if the Honda Prologue turns out spec’s/priced attractively to me, I may go that route even if it’s not really any smaller than my Passport.
Were you hazing Brian by making him wear the lumberjack gear? Or do things get freaky up at Mountain Garden :) Another great AoA review.
is your neighbors Z for sale? @11:15 looks like a 280z with some work done to it? Rear bumper removed and wheels I think....
Also fun knowledge nugget on the Cherokee... it doesn't physically lock the drive to both axles with interlocking bits of metal like a traditional 4wd truck would, it's just that the transfer clutch to the rear axle is hydraulic and strong enough to not slip even under full power. So in the right offroad mode the pressure gets cranked all the way up and it can't slip so it emulates traditional 4wd pretty darn well.
Yes to the black wheels and hood decal!
Bronco sport as a competitor? It is a crossover and has probably close to the same offroad ability... No idea on pricing of those, but it seems like something someone would consider.
between the forester and the outback I would probably go forester as well. I love the outback but it comes with a big pricetag and if I was going to pay that much more I would get the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. They do have lots of reliability issues but they can really do some offroad stuff.
An in warranty Chrysler product will still leave you stranded in the forest when the electric system dies at 27k
@@ImaYam Agreed but it will leave stranded in places a Subaru will never get too.
See i want this to be a hybrid, same with the Ford Bronco, then I will buy 🙏🏼
Alex more electric powered seats means more things to break down the road. Also Turbos fail within 100K and its expensive with labor. i will get this now that the new one is out
Would the Wilderness line extend to the Impreza? Or with its lineage, just make it a rally version?
Yes, I realize WRX & the STI are the factory rally cars, but there's not a lot of off road body cladding protection on them.
I like the black wheels. Loose the black graphic on the hood and go with a black hood or body color
The CVT ruins it for me. Plus they need to replace that cheap Panasonic battery with a better one that can actually handle the load. After multiple jumps on our 2021 Forester, I replaced it with a $300 X2-Power AGM. No more problems after 6 months.
I prefer the Forester's dimensions and seating position over the Outback, but will not buy without the turbo. I would have gladly paid 1500 - 2k more for that upgrade.
It’s about 2.5k
I’d also be concerned about the reliability of the turbo long term. I have test driven both, and the Forester has plenty of power. Honestly the screen in the Outback is what killed it for me, as all your controls are within the screen as well as the UI is pretty clunky.
@@ryant939 I did test drive the Forester a few days ago and I was pleasantly surprised that power was available when you needed it.
It’s about time SUBARU turned seriously towards its “rugged” image.
How many decibels were recorded here?
black wheels are ALWAYS right
I’m buying and taking this to Mt. Everest. It’ll climb it right? Right…………..? Cool, looking forward to!!!
still has a plug for a strat key on thew column. instead of putting silly accent colors, could have gotten a remodeled column cover
Are we not gonna talk about the Nick Jonas Easter Egg?
Why not compare it to some of the more off-road versions of the Bronco Sport?
Yes on the turbo
Turbo??? No turbo on the Wilderness Forester, only on Wilderness Outback
The only wood I see on this type of car are Christmas trees on their roof racks in December.
you should watch Ryan's video from Driving sports TV. he did climb test with snow covered trail with Forester W vs Jeep trail hawk. You'll change your mind that Trail hawk is more capable.
I like the ho tow hooks
Give me a Turbo any day and I will take it.
Head clearance is meaningless without your height .
So real life isn't like Minecraft where we clear shrubbery by setting it on fire?
The rating seems to be Outback’s rating not Forester’s. The 0-60 time doesn’t look right and it says wagon below.
He has the correct 0-60. Outback would be sub 6 seconds
ALEX, THEIRS ALWAYS A TIME A PLACE FOR BLACK WHEELS
Cleanest saws I eva saw
Being a car owner who considers himself at the core of the demographic that Subaru is targeting here, I wash my Forester 3-4 times a year, on average, so that probably tells you how important wheel color is to me. Subaru knows that, so why invest resources into such a detail? 😁
Alex, In considering compact Faux X Faux CUVs, I note this Forester fails to match the 3,500 lbs tow rating of the 203 hp RAV4 Adventure. In regard to black alloy wheels and black hood overlays, the answer is an emphatic NO!!!!😁
To that end the RAV4 doesn’t match the Jeep Cherokee’s 4500lb tow rating.
@@ALMX5DP I think that Jeep is a genuine 4X4.
hey , they drove over stick and twigs.some i swear that were an inch in diameter
@@rightlanehog3151 ah I’ve always thought it as being the most capable of the softroader CUV segment.
@@jeffforbes70 😂
Not feeling the new guy. Awkward back and forth. Meh.
Dear Subaru: please out a clear wrap on the cars that you rent for the reviews. I want to see the capabilities of the vehicle.
Subaru owner :)
Harpo! Who dis man... 😉
lol @ the outfit but it works and you made me laugh when im having a bad day. Thanx
Who is Brian? Why is he here? 🤔
Can we get Brian an AoA jacket? The red was kind of distracting.
This was a truly exceptional review. Every other review was taking the piss on the cladding.
I love the black whales and I love the black decal and the cladding on this vehicle it looks much better than the one on the Outback
Guys I know that wear a hard hat all day (me included) approx100-115, of those guys, the number that drive or will drive a Subaru...Zero, lol. I do enjoy when you have another person to banter with.
Here for the helmets
And I tough the pontiac astek was ugly! The designer must be the same one of the new tundra!
Well, the problem here is that you think anyone cares about YOUR opinion.
@@eskieman3948 you care enough to answer!
Black wheels are obviously cheaper to produce since they can use any old metal underneath the paint. But the blacked-out look is cool because the marketing guys say it's cool and why should anyone under thirty think otherwise?
I own a 2019 Forester that we inherited, and I gotta say, a ton of little things have added up to make me LOATHE the thing. Some random items:
- Crash avoidance is very aggressive. Someone pulls out infront of me with plenth of room, and the thing is beeping like crazy and hitting the brakes.
- The car has 25k miles on it and the interior rattles like it has 100k miles
- We nicknamed it "Beaker" because it sounds like the muppet -- it beeps constantly at everything. Driving using cruise control? It beeps every time it detects and loses detection of vehicles. If you try to lock the door while another door is open (which does work, it'll lock when the door closes), it beeps FIVE times.
- Cupholder design is bad and often results in spills while lifting cups without very secure lids (such as fast food or coffees)
- The auto-engine-shutoff at redlights, etc, often waits too long and then turns off right when you're about to take off. I swear it trolls me intentionally.
- Auto-engine-shutoff also poorly manages air conditioning.
- X-mode works like shit. This scenario usually happens, so I don't use it: Driving in decent snow, but there is an icy/hard patch, and it will automatically swap back to "normal" and then you can't put it back into snow-mode while driving above like 5mph. Feels completely useless.
First world problems…
Then sell it, and get more than what you paid for it. Gee... I wonder WHY?
@@ivandragomiloff2356 That’s were we live in our daily lives.
We have a 2020 Outback Onyx XT...love it...except for the atrocious info-center. A winter wheel pkg. works wonders, and highway tires for other 3 seasons. 😀 If Toyota made something as good as this, I would lean toward that brand. 😇
They do, it’s called a 4Runner …
No offense, but no better way to say city slicker than to wear silly a construction helmet when using a chainsaw. If you’re going to wear protective gear, start with chaps.
I don't get the appeal of the black wheels
after owning a subaru- I can tell you they are overated big time. on any steep incline-they dont have the low range or the torque. save your $ and get a toyota or ford
says the whiney lil' bedwetter. Go to Driving Sports TV on any of the Subarus, ESPECIALLY against the Toyotas. 'Matt Gullage' is a liar!
I mean... get a toyota or a ford if you dont need the awd. But if you need the awd then Subaru is the best choice hands down. I don't want to have to get an upgraded trim level on a Rav 4 just to 4wd
Forester is also better on the uphill climbs.
Alex you should do every review shirtless with a hard hat on
No thanks, I prefer the 29 mpg of the REGULAR Forester to the 26 of the Wilderness Forester.
I don’t think the 0-60 is 7.7 seconds, it’s impossible for wilderness to do 7.7 seconds when the other trims with exactly the same engine go 9.6 seconds, no matter how you improve the CVT, that’s impossible, redline did 0-60 in 9.2 seconds, a bit faster than other trims.
Alex tested it at sea level. Redline tested it at 3200 feet. Car & Driver got 8.0 seconds. It's not just an improved transmission - It's a different model.
An improved transmission makes all the difference in the world. It has a different final drive gear, and better gearing for the cvt, which gives it 25% more torque through the transmission. This explains the improved 0-60.
Was excited for the video until I saw a second person
Go Dawgs
Forester is made in Japan, not outback
Sold mine during pandemic. It was a 2021 but painfully sluggish, couldn’t get around that.
It seems Alex has a beef with CRV. It is more sure-footed than a RAV4 because of its mechanical AWD. Also, it has more space than a Cherokee and RAV.
Probably because it's long in the tooth awaiting a refresh very soon
It’s just so boring…
The Outback wilderness seems like a better buy. Nicer interior, more ground clearance, and a turbo, which means a lot more torque to wheels with grip. But I have a 2022 Outback XT limited. 😜 The turbo is an absolute screamer and with winter tires, it has all of the capability I need on snow packed dirt roads. I also like the quiet and comfort features of the limited, which include acoustic glass and extendable thigh cushion, adjustable lumbar etc., all things you don’t get in the Wilderness. My last car was a Volvo V70 though, so I am biased towards wagons. 😜 I just convinced a family member to get an Outback Wilderness over the Forester Wilderness; all they had to do was sit in my car and find out about the turbo and they were sold.
Black wheels are a pita to keep clean and for that one reason I will never have them, and thst goes for all other wheels with black/chrome or brushed metal finishes. Gimme me plain silver-ish any day!
My money would be on a Bronco Sport Badlands over this…it’s way more capable and has a better powertrain combo and looks better IMO
Less interior space/legroom as well.
So buy it.
See how much your Bronka will be worth in 3 years.
I love it Do more gas cars there a lot of them
182 HP? Seriously?
i cant wait to carry my chainsaw to my cliff diving with more peace of mind
Hard pass until they fix the windshield issues and put in a proper transmission.
Cry, skippy. More and more manufacturers are changing over to CVTs whether we want them or not. The difference is that Subaru makes the best CVTs.