Do you love off-roading but don’t mind a little comfort? Do you have a weekend’s desire to hit the muddy trails, but you’re in charge of a family all week? The Subaru Outback Wilderness may be for you. That’s if your extreme trail riding has a limit.
Let’s get one thing straight: the Outback Wilderness is a real Outback. It has the same dimensions, and except for a few details, the same interior as the regular version. Yes, it has washable benches and rubberized carpets, but nothing more.
The large, high-definition multimedia screen is still there. Indeed, it’s sometimes a little challenging to find your way around because there’s a lot of information on it at once. Even worse, some of them, like the X Mode driving mode, which varies from Mud to Normal, flashes depending on the speed you’re driving at. A little annoying, it must be said. But nothing catastrophic.
Same engine
Under the hood of the Wilderness version is the turbocharged 4-cylinder known to Subaru fans. We love its power and 260 horsepower, just like we appreciate the 277 lb/ft of torque. But we hate (and I speak for myself) the continuously variable transmission that roars with displeasure as soon as you accelerate too quickly. In other words, press gently, and your transmission will be happy.
A little too much throttle on the highway will make you a little less happy, though. Fortunately, the paddles behind the steering wheel allow you to play with the simulated gears. Just like a wiser drive in the city will make you forget the presence of the CVT, which is said to have been redesigned.
Aesthetic changes
Physically, an Outback is still an Outback. This time around, plastic covers have been added over the wheel arches to provide better protection. Not everyone likes it, and it’s true that it may seem excessive. With time, however, you get used to it.
We also understand that the golden appliques (actually, we should say anodized copper colour) that we added to distinguish the Wilderness version will not please everyone. I reserve judgment. However, we do appreciate the higher suspension, which increases ground clearance without compromising handling at high speeds. This is a real nose dive for other off-road vehicle manufacturers who cannot provide us with suspensions that don’t have many hops.
On and off-road
This is where the Subaru Outback Wilderness comes into its own. Even when driven under challenging conditions, it handles with surprising ease. In fact, I didn’t think I would be able to overcome the obstacles I faced in a simple wagon (I know, Subaru hates that name but let’s call a spade a spade).
The only downside: the 17-inch wheels with Yokohama Geolandar tires. If these extreme-looking tires are excellent on regular pavement, we feel less comfortable in off-road conditions. Traction isn’t as intense as you’d like, and it sometimes feels like they’re the limit of the vehicle’s capabilities.
The situation is different on the road, however. They are quieter than average and provide fantastic handling. The conclusion is that Subaru and Yokohama have opted for a compromise in this area. And that true off-road enthusiast will probably opt for a tire change while on the road.
Conclusion
The reality is that the Subaru Outback Wilderness is amazing. It delivers on all fronts, and if it weren’t for its higher fuel economy and price tag, it would be the perfect compromise.
