SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON REFRESHED 2022 FORESTER SUV

•Debut of Forester Wilderness: most rugged and trail-capable Forester ever

•All Forester trim levels have bold new look with redesigned front fascia and grille

•Redesigned and strengthened roof rails to increase functionality

•New Automatic Emergency Steering feature available

•Pricing starts at $25,195

Camden, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. today announced pricing on the 2022 Forester compact SUV, it's most popular model. For 2022, the Forester introduces the rugged Forester Wilderness™: the newest model in the Wilderness family. The fifth-generation Forester also receives a redesigned front fascia along with new safety and convenience features.

The 2022 Forester will be offered in six trim levels when it arrives at Subaru retailers in October: Base, Premium, Sport, all-new Wilderness, Limited, and Touring.

For 2022, Forester is the latest model to join the adventure-ready Wilderness family. The new rugged trim level combines Subaru's renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with a specially revised drivetrain, standard X-MODE, elevated 9.2-inch ground clearance, and exclusive wheels with all-terrain tires. The Forester Wilderness also offers unique and functional exterior and interior appointments.

The entire 2022 Forester lineup receives a bolder new look with a redesigned front fascia, grille, headlights and fog light covers, with each change element varying to match the character of each trim level.

The 2022 Forester also comes standard with the latest version of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The enhanced system improves overall performance and operates under a broader range of conditions thanks to a wider field of view and improved control software. For the Premium with option package, and all higher trim levels, EyeSight includes new Automatic Emergency Steering. The new feature works in conjunction with the Pre-Collision Braking System to assist with steering control to help avoid a collision at speeds less than 50 mph.

As in prior model years, all Forester models include seven airbags: driver and front passenger frontal airbags, side curtain airbags and side pelvis/torso airbags, as well as a driver's knee airbag. Forester has been named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety TOP SAFETY PICK+ for 3 years running (2019–2021).

Forester's legendary versatility is also improved for 2022 with a new ladder-type roof rail design. The improved rail system offers a higher dynamic load capacity (220 lb. vs. 176 lb.) and an 800-lb static load limit (vs. 700 lb.), allowing safe use of a roof-top tent. Helpful tie-down locations have also been integrated into the rails.

Inside, two additional utility hooks have been added to the roof of the rear cargo area and a brighter LED interior dome lamp with off-delay is now standard.

All Forester models are powered by a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine teamed with a Lineartronic® CVT and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The direct-injection engine produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. The Forester is a highly efficient SUV, delivering up to 33 mpg EPA-estimated highway fuel economy. The compact SUV also offers up to 3,000-lb. towing capacity and features standard Trailer Stability Assist.

Introducing the 2022 Forester

The 2022 Forester (Base) is priced at $25,195 and continues the model's tradition of incredible value with a long list of standard features including power windows, door locks, and side mirrors; dual USB ports in the front center console; multi-function display; remote keyless entry; and combination meter with color LCD.

Also standard on Base is the SUBARU STARLINK® 6.5-inch Multimedia Plus system with high-resolution touchscreen, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay®, Android™ Auto and Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity as well as SiriusXM® and a CD player.

For 2022, all Forester models add an LED dome light with off-delay operation, and additional cargo area hooks, enhancing the model's renowned versatility. An option package upgrades the base model with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels in silver finish plus roof rails, now with convenient tie-down points, for an MSRP of $625.

2022 Forester Premium

The 2022 Forester Premium, priced from $28,195, adds a considerable upgrade over the Base in comfort, convenience and available tech. The standard All-Weather Package includes heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer. The Premium also adds a 10-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support; 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels in black with machine finish; roof rails; dark tint privacy glass; and a panoramic power moonroof.

New for 2022, the Premium comes with enhanced roof rails with additional tie-down points for improved versatility.

For improved off-pavement performance, the Forester Premium trim features standard X-MODE® with Hill Descent Control. The Premium trim's interior is upgraded with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with silver stitching; center dash panel trim in black with silver metallic finish, and chrome inner door handles.

The Premium offers a single option package that includes Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and a Power Rear Gate with automatic close & height memory. The option package also adds the Automatic Emergency Steering function to the EyeSight system. The MSRP for the package is $1,165.

Forester Sport

With a starting price of $29,765, the 2022 Forester Sport offers unique exterior and interior elements for a youthful and rugged appearance as well as enhanced standard equipment over the Premium, including Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Automatic Emergency Steering.

The exterior of the Sport trim is adorned with exclusive gloss black trim as well as black-finish 18-inch wheels and a black rear roof spoiler. Orange accents are featured on the side and front lower valances and roof rail mounts. An orange SPORT badge adds a striking yet complementary contrast on the rear of the vehicle. The exclusive Sport interior features a unique dark gray color scheme with orange stitching and accents throughout the cabin.

In addition, the Sport trim features Dual X-MODE for increased capability in a wider range of conditions.

A single option package is available for the 2022 Sport that includes Reverse Automatic Braking; SUBARU STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus system; Harman Kardon® premium sound system; and a Power Rear Gate. The option package has a MSRP of $1,645.

Forester Wilderness

Building on the extensive feature content in the Premium trim, the new Forester Wilderness uniquely adds a slew of exclusive mechanical, design, and functional enhancements for added capability on the roads and trails less traveled. Critically, the rugged new model preserves the Forester's renowned blend of SUV capability and car-like ride and handling. The Forester Wilderness has a starting price of $32,820.

Exclusive chassis suspension components give the 2022 Forester Wilderness 9.2-inch ground clearance, a half-inch increase over the other Forester models, which already had among the highest in their segment. Longer coil springs and shock absorbers provide the added road clearance, while special tuning helps maintain the Forester's exceptional ride and handling performance with the increased height.

The Forester Wilderness comes equipped with Yokohama GEOLANDAR® all-terrain tires for increased traction on muddy or gravel roads. Mounted on exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels in matte black finish, the tires are embossed with raised white letters. A standard full-size tire is stored under the cargo the area, giving owners confidence while on the trails.

To visually communicate the more capable off-road performance, the Forester Wilderness adds exclusive styling with all-new front fascia with bold hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, front skid plate, unique hexagonal LED fog lights and an anti-glare hood decal in matte-black finish.

Numerous exterior and interior details, including water resistant StarTex® seating surfaces, make the Forester Wilderness especially suited to carrying outdoors gear, even when wet or muddy. The ladder-type roof rack has a dynamic load capacity to 220 lb., and can support up to 800 lb. when parked, a capacity increase that allows for larger roof tents.

A single option package is available for the 2022 Wilderness that includes SUBARU STARLINK® 8.0-inch Multimedia Navigation system, Harman Kardon® premium sound system, and a Power Rear Gate. The option package has a MSRP of $1,850.

Forester Limited

Priced at $31,875, the 2022 Forester Limited includes all features from the Premium and is visually distinguished with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels in black with machine finish; exterior mirrors in matching body color with integrated turn signals, and dark gray accent trim for the fog lights.

The 2022 Forester Limited adds Automatic Emergency Steering and 1-Touch Folding Rear Seatback.

The Limited comes standard with Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Its roster of added amenities includes STARLINK 8-inch Multimedia Plus; perforated leather-trimmed upholstery; silver metallic with gloss black finish center dash panel trim; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever handle; dual-zone automatic climate control with voice-activated controls; dual USB ports in the rear center console, and a power rear gate with auto close and height memory.

The Limited offers a single option package with Reverse Automatic Braking, STARLINK 8-inch Multimedia with Navigation powered by TomTom®, Harman Kardon speaker system and a Heated Steering Wheel. The MSRP of this robust package is $1,695.

Forester Touring

Continuing as the top of the model line, the 2022 Forester Touring is priced at $35,295. The Touring includes the full list of standard and optional features from the Limited and adds the innovative DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System, which for 2022 adds gesture control capability, allowing the driver to raise and lower the set temperature of the automatic climate control system through hand gestures.

The exterior of the Touring is distinguished by newly redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels in dark gray with machine finish, satin chrome exterior folding mirrors with integrated turn signals, and LED fog lights with chrome trim. For 2022, the appearance is enhanced with gloss black trim on the B- and C-pillars for a more premium appearance. This flagship trim level features roof rails with a silver finish, corresponding to the silver finish on the front, rear and side valences as well as the chrome exterior badges.

The Forester Touring cabin offers a choice of exclusive Black or Saddle Brown perforated leather trimmed upholstery; 10-way power driver's seat with 2-position memory (includes power lumbar support); 8-way power front passenger seat, and heated outboard rear seats. LEDs are used for cargo-area and dome lights with off-delay, as well as the rear gate.

by Subaru

Rivaling the Kia Sportage, the Chevrolet Tracker and the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Subara Forester was introduced in 1998 as a ‘hybrid' vehicle that blended the attributes of a passenger vehicle and a sport-utility vehicle. A lightweight, small crossover SUV, or arguably a station wagon, the Forester was based on the Subaru Impreza platform and drivetrain. Subaru took the subcompact Impreza station wagon and raised its roofline which added a few extra inches to both the body length and width to create the Forester. Interior dimensions grew only slightly over the Impreza as a result of the wheelbase being increased fractionally. The Forester is equipped with AWD, All Wheel Drive transmission, as are all Subaru models that are marketed in the US and other international markets since the early ‘90s.

Subaru had envisioned the 5 passenger Forester being a more ‘truck-like' SUV much like the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. Trying to appeal to the SUV oriented market, Subaru advertising employed the slogan ‘SUV tough, Car Easy'. The Forester features associated with SUVs such as a large, boxy cargo area, and more ground clearance than other Subaru models. The Forester does employ a car-like unibody chassis instead of the body-on-frame construction that is associated with trucks and larger SUVs.

In India the Forester was sold as a Chevrolet along with other Chevrolet models sold there. However, since General Motors no longer holds ownership stake in Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, sales in India of the Chevrolet-badged Forester have since ended. The Forester is produced at the Gunma Yajima Factory in Japan.

Going on sale were Base, L, and S models, each using Subaru's horizontally opposed, 165-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that was borrowed from the compact Legacy. Standard was a 5-speed manual transmission and optional was the 4-speed automatic. Power was sent automatically to the wheels with the most traction due to Forester's standard all-wheel-drive system that sensed wheel slip. Driver action was not needed. Compared to the Impreza wagon, ground clearance was elevated though Forester had no provision for low-range gearing, and was unimpressive when attempting serious off-road treks. The Forester featured 2000 pounds towing capacity.

Air conditioning and split folding rear seats were standard on the Forester, while L and S version added antilock braking. The Subaru S edition featured larger wheels and tires, a chrome grille, rear disc brakes, larger power mirrors and an upgraded interior.

For 1999 the Subaru Forester received modifications to quiet the engine, along with adding four pound-feet of torque. In an attempt to provide smoother, quicker shifts, transmission were revised. For this year new interior fabrics and colors were now available. L models received power side mirrors as standard. To improve crashworthiness, Foresters also gained structural modifications. In 1999 base-model Foresters could no longer receive the optional leather upholstery and remote keyless entry system.

For 2000 the Forester lineup was trimmed by Subaru, deleting the base-trimmed model while L and upscale S editions went on sale. The S model added a standard limited-slip differential while the Forester L received standard cruise control.

The following year the Forester received a slight facelift that included the addition of a new chrome grille, revised bumper and taillights and a reshaped bumper.

For 2002 the Subaru Forester received a standard retractable cargo-area cover along with two new option packages. The S Premium model was replaced by the OV Premium Package option. This new package included front side airbags, sunroof, and distinctive alloy wheels to the S. OV equipment plus leather upholstery was added to the new OK Package. For 2000, 2001 and 2002 the Forester was the winner of Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive.

A turbocharged Forester, the XT was introduced in 2003 alongside the naturally-aspirated XS. Similar to the turbo system of the Subaru Impreza WRX, the XT model features a 2.5L turbocharged engine. The engine in the Forester XT is most similar to the engine used in the US market Subaru Impreza WRX STi. This year's model Forester showcased weight-saving refinements that included an aluminum hood, hydro-formated front frame and perforated rails.

For 2004 and 2005 the Forester was Car and Driver magazine's Best Small SUV. For 2005 Subaru launched an STI variant of the Forester for the Japanese market. Sharing the same engine as the '05 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the Forester STI featured a different tuning that generated 320 bhp. This year also featured the introduction of Subaru's AVCS system as a standard feature on all engines used in the Forester.

The Forester was updated to include a more upscale look for 2006. Only two models were produced for this year and they included the 2.5X which had a naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 173hp and the 2.5 XT Limited, turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4 250 hp. The turbocharged engine that powered the Forest XT was awarded International Engine of the year in 2006. This engine is also used in the re-badged Saab 9-2X as well as the Subaru Impreza WRX.

In Australia three main models are available and these are the X which is naturally-aspirated with a 2.5 L flat-4 121 kW, the XS also naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW, and the XT, turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4 169 kW. The XS and XT came with the option of having a ‘Luxury Pack' fitted, which allowed for leather seats and a sunroof. The XT model featured minor styling differences like the addition of a MOMO steering wheel as a standard feature. The X does not include curtain airbags, while both the XS and XT do.

Redesigned for the 2009 model year, the Subaru Forester was debuted in Japan on Christmas day 2007. The North American version was unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

by Jessican Donaldson