2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness Deep Snow Winter Test

We test the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness against deep snow and ice in a winter wonderland. Plus, how does the Dual X-Mode system compare against the competition? We break out the cones and set the slow-motion cameras to get to all the details.
#subaru #subaruforester #subaruwilderness
CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction
01:31 - Snow Road Slalom
07:23 - Snow on the Test Hill
09:24 - Deep Snow Hill Climb
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[@Sirgromulus]

No one on KZbin does better real-world winter and mild off-road vehicle testing than Ryan.

[@AmmarMalik]

TFL does

[@RPotter95]

@@AmmarMalik no

[@abufarhaz2306]

@@AmmarMalik TFL is biased. For example, they always complain for having a CVT in Subaru when they test drive it but ignores completely about CVT complaints when test driving other CVT cars for example Nissan or HONDA CRV. Please watch TFL video if you have any doubt.

[@AmmarMalik]

@@abufarhaz2306 have you seen their test on Suburu and how awful it performed?

[@abufarhaz2306]

@@AmmarMalik well, when you’re biased about something you will always make it look bad to the viewers. When the same test was done by 10 other people in KZbin and the results were almost same & great and Subaru failed the same test in TFL test, that makes TFL biased. And why should I believe others, I personally did most of the test where Subaru did just fine. Nobody needs a PhD to understand that fact what TFL does.

[@adityagnb]

The production, analysis and testing are off the charts on this one ! The drone footage just nails it. No one, I repeat no one does a better off road test !

[@MrThewhip333]

I concur

[@James-il3tq]

Or has as much fun as Ryan. Easy to see how he has the true outdoors/offroading spirit

[@KilroyActual]

Just picked up a Forester Wilderness this week. Also live in Washington and we've just had a massive amount of snow. It is incredibly fun to drive around and it gives me so much confidence knowing it'll get me anywhere I need to go, no matter the weather. I love it.

[@sunnyvalentino]

It is a great car. Just watch out for rust in some areas of the under carriage and shock mounts with the Foresters and Outbacks.

[@billredding2000]

" It is incredibly fun to drive around and it gives me so much confidence knowing it'll get me anywhere I need to go, no matter the weather." Feel that exact same way about my Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and one of the main reasons I got it (here in Colorado and the OEM Falken Wildpeak A/T3W tires on it). :-) -- BR

[@jschroeman]

Does it have a turbo like the outback or is it an NA motor?

[@Scoutback_Adventures]

@@jschroeman It's just the same NA motor.

[@DIYtryer]

Mind I ask if you got it for MSRP? lease or finance?

[@pedrovieira4313]

Picked up the wilderness 3 weeks ago and recently took a 2100 miles round trip to Ohio where I caught a nice snow storm in West Virigina and man was I impressed with the Wilderness stability and control throughout the entire ride, and lets not forget the comfort.

[@mattlester7799]

Mpg?

[@pedrovieira4313]

@@mattlester7799 between 25-28, around 25 on my way back to Florida, wanted to get out of the cold haha

[@nicolec7290]

You lucky duck

[@nicolec7290]

I have a 2021 crosstrek 28-30 mpg. One trip it was 39.9 mpg. Can’t explain that one must of been good gas

[@musicmatty67]

You are actually one of the few that seem to understand the systems in the vehicle that you’re driving. I can’t understand all these other drivers on KZbin who actually engage the most restrictive mode with traction control going up steep inclines in snow and they wonder why the vehicle won’t move. I think you stressed it more than once in this video that the most important thing you need going up a steep hill is momentum and lots of it.👍

[@allanblack8635]

Leasons from a Californian: Don't get fooled by 1 off tests. I got my subaru outback XT with Yokohama geolanter AT 3 peak rated tires and the thing could not even move a foot forward in 2020-2021 seattle winter. This 2021-2022 winter I got snow tires and was able to scoot around. Tires are 90% of the equation. And a snowy road is easy to drive with any tires on fresh snow, but 1 week in its ice and only snow tires in a Subaru sized car will get you where you need to go safely. Love the channel just informing people like me a year ago when buying a Subaru for Washington mountains. To BUY SNOW TIERS AND CHAINS its worth it.

[@LoveMyZJ]

The new off-road test course is a game changer, especially for testing snow/ice performance. It's also nice to know that the CVT didn't protest with that level of stress being put to it.

[@James-il3tq]

Wonder how much hotter it would get in summer offroading 🤔

[@LoveMyZJ]

@@James-il3tq good point, I think that would be more telling. I thought the Wilderness models came with transmission coolers in addition to the revised gearing, but I'm not 100%

[@fidelbaca2225]

I have 2019 Subaru forester Limited duo mode I work through ice storms and snow storms doing Uber eats All day The thing is a beast

[@gns942]

That CVT definitely got a workout there. I would rather put my trust in a traditional geared automatic, there is no way that a belt (or in this case, a chain) slipping between two spindles is just as durable as actual gears meshing against each other.

[@B01]

Need real snow tires in snow for an actual test. Unsure of any cars that have em standard but most serious Suby owners (the ones watching reviews on their capabilities on YT) will buy. Guess it's good to have a baseline, but rather see a real review. LOVE my General snow tires on my Suby. We don't buy shovels, just Subys ♥️ It was insane feeling the difference taking summers off and tossing Winters on. Was the difference between a pillow and a brick 🤣

[@WestCoastTrans]

You knew you could make the corner and in the end you did. I'm impressed by both the vehicle and your determination

[@rmfluharty]

The smile on your face tells me everything I need to know about driving the Forester Wilderness. Great video!

[@TheHuggmg]

Subaru North America, next year please put in the new 260 Turbo engine and watch your sales go even higher! Great review!

[@yoareyoumad]

These videos were a huge part of my research and ultimately my choice to purchase a Forester Wilderness. I love it immensely. Keep up the good work!

[@andrewmailander751]

Very good to know, I just ordered mine last month!

[@ChicagoOutfit1900]

I'm very impressed with how Subaru reworked their CVT!

[@borger99]

It’s proving to be very versatile and much more durable than people give it credit for.

[@eskieman3948]

@@borger99 As long as you ignore the lying KZbin punk trolls (like Crazy Wayne or WTFx), you'll see that the Subies do much better than you'd believe.

[@wildbill23c]

@@eskieman3948 Add TFL Car to that list. They do nothing but bash the Subarus, and they do it by purposely stopping on inclines and then full throttle then letting off and stopping when a tire loses traction then blame the car that it can't complete the task that the CVT is junk causing the problem. Here with Ryan he's changed my view on these new Subarus and the Forester Wilderness kind of reminds me of the stance the old 80's 4x4 Subaru GL Wagons had. If the Subaru had a large SUV that could tow my car trailer and haul my tractor/implements I'd buy one, but unfortunately :(...they don't. Would make a nice daily driver though for many of us. Hey SUBARU BUILD A TRUCK LOL.

[@James-il3tq]

It did very well in this video. Wonder how the CVT temp would do offroading in summer 🤔

[@SecretSauceyjuice]

@@James-il3tq off-roading is likely fine. Towing? You may want to add a trans cooler.

[@alexknoxmusic]

Great video. I love my Forester Wilderness! It was amazing in it's first Colorado winter last year.

[@wingmanhoy3999]

Absolutely love my 2021 forester, truly fantastic in the snow, and does everything beautifully.

[@boxoffisa]

I am Ugandan and know we have no snow but I normally watch every video if this channel even when I have no car. Lol.

[@waltergartner8784]

No joke.. IMPRESSIVE even with stock tires. 👍

[@pcfry8732]

These side-by-side tests are extremely valuable. I feel much smarter and well-informed about both the Subaru and the Maverick's all-wheel-drive systems. Thank you!

[@EndLess1UP]

I love how you kept trying at the end like a giddy kid! Love it! Thanks for the video and smiles.

[@sunriseshell]

I had a first gen WRX automatic. THAT was such a fun car everywhere; street, snow, improved dirt roads. I miss it.

[@SolamenteVees]

This is exactly the review needed for this Forester. Well-done.

[@jppilotadventurez5251]

I’m usually a Subaru hater and Honda lover. But i have to give it to Subaru for this one! Great video as always!

[@ALMX5DP]

Amazing video Ryan and team! Such great demonstrations regarding the different modes and contrasting those to other vehicles. Definitely made use of all that recent snow in the PNW.

[@mitch11atv]

love my crosstrek sport but man this thing is nice

[@mgs.915]

i own a 2001 Subaru 2.5RS coupe and had a blast the past few days with my first snowstorm! great video and amazing analysis.

[@sfgators]

Wow! That was the best snow/terrain testing of a Subaru that I've watched on YT! Great job of describing the features that Subaru offers and testing it to its limits!

[@josephreyes7610]

Wow. Just wow! Amazing detailed video. Fun to watch and I love seeing how honest you are, amazing footage, and also seeing you just having a blast reviewing the car! Subaru also made a solid car there! Great all around

[@mobinmokaryzade3591]

One of the best videos on this channel 👌👏👏 Deep snow driving was so cool

[@uthmankhawn3979]

Love your content and real-life testing, Ryan! Thanks for bringing it to us!

[@vodhome39]

I had a 97 Outback that would drive up hills in 7 inches of snow. So the results of this test did not surprise me at all.

[@nickknee3515]

My 04 Impreza was the same, goes up my steep 3 tenth of a mile driveway with 15" inches of snow just plowing the whole way but never waivered one bit.

[@uthmankhawn3979]

What tires did you use?

[@vodhome39]

@@uthmankhawn3979 Just all season Michelins.

[@amrashraf9559]

How reliable was your 97 subaru ?

[@vodhome39]

@@amrashraf9559 I bought it used with 28 thousand miles on it and sold it with about 88 thousand. During that time I did normal maintenance and a head gasket replacement.

[@formanaliuzdenoff6323]

What proffessional movie is that,how good camera man works,Ryian ,Nick!!! Thank you guys,your the true light against those all fhone camera bloggers or who they are. Thank you. You show the livel that no one reachs

[@patrickdennis7745]

Great content! This is the kind of testing that keeps me coming back for more...

[@jcollins2826]

This car is a beast. Nice testing.

[@subienorris]

Love the drone footage you guys used here. Very, very well done video. Thank you!

[@mikehackett1213]

This was a very well done video. Thanks for being so thorough!

[@charlesknight5140]

Showing LOVE for the channel. Absolutely loved this video thank you again. I'm actually very interested in the Subaru Wilderness and I love knowing more about the X- mode. Thanks again. Have a Blessed day everyone

[@stevereaburn7626]

great video Ryan. Good work on keeping a consistent test track & pattern for each vehicle, it gives a much better indication of what they can do.

[@damfnmaster]

I drive a forester sport and even with my stock no season tires this thing is amazing in the snow. Thanks for the thorough review.

[@boostedmaniac]

Thanks for this video. Awesome deep snow demonstration!!!

[@yiakou]

Lovely video!! Enjoyable!! Wait to see the other two on this snow! ❄️❄️

[@Kraken_Meister]

I went sideways in some snow in mine last weekend and it was super fun! '22 forester wilderness. Glad to finally see the review up :)

[@gregc1331]

I own a 2015 Forester and I’m constantly amazed at how well it does in snowy/icy conditions. Just a couple days ago, no probs getting up a hill (10 percent, maybe?) that looked like a sheet of ice and my Forester doesn’t even that fancy dial.

[@PLefevre95]

This was first and foremost, informative and engaging. Thanks for quality and honest review of the Wilderness trim👏🏾

[@unsungwindham]

GREAT test. I live in Montana and this is exactly the test I need to see. The Wilderness Forester is pretty dang awesome!

[@drivingsports]

I just wish snow was more consistent. Right now the course is buried under 5+ feet of snow turned to ice. (record amounts)

[@amrashraf9559]

@@drivingsports which is more solid and durable for rough daily roads ? And have more life span ..the volvo vs subaru ?

[@jeffervargas2693]

For me that's just enough That car really impressed me how good it made it all the way to that hill with that much snow.. as long as i can get to work with the horrible streets we got here in jersey i think that's the car i want!!

[@blakliffy]

Once again. Beautiful review and comparison.

[@elvispink4792]

Amazing shots taken in the snow looks cool

[@jerrycannon6940]

Im glad you didn't quit in the end. That why this video deserves a LIKE!!!!! It's not about the car at this point. It's about you not giving up!!!

[@andrewvillavicencio8496]

Excellent review all around!

[@tariqaltamimi927]

Love this channel and these amazing reviews! So exciting and professionally done. Keep up the great work 👍

[@TheBabadush]

Best winter review I've ever seen. Well done. Except the Bison, that was pretty epic.

[@raphaelsanchez4797]

What an excellent, informative, and fun video.

[@armaniusmaximus]

Loved this one Ryan!! One of the best videos in a while! Just wish we actually had snow in Texas!

[@CamboTriton]

You stand above all other channels. Best vehicle testing

[@magnetman3t725]

This was a awesome review thank you for explaining the different modes💯👍 I have a 2019 Subaru Forester Sport

[@MrSmith-rk4jq]

Took my outback wilderness to the snow up in tahoe last week and was very impressed by the tire performance in the snow

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Any video of that? Would love to see it.

[@WY-SP85]

Love this channel! Very informative but also entertaining! You have also helped me out SO MUCH with what vehicle to buy. I did do additional research for 8or 9 months haha. I ended up with buying a 2010 Toyota 4Runner Sr5. Myself and my wife absolutely love it! Thank you so much!

[@50ccAdventure]

That’s some good footage blasting through the fresh deep powder

[@krusader9066]

Especially with stock tires

[@ObsesifAdam]

Thanks Ryan for the real world testing :) Love Subaru :)

[@cinetic81]

Epic! Thank you for doing this. And I’m very jealous 😊

[@dolguldur4706]

2nd gen subaru forester for me still the best looking forester ever made

[@bogdaninOntario]

Last year I was driving in snow like this in my 2006 325i rear drive 🚗 Greetings from Ontario 🇨🇦 Very good videos.....good job.

[@robertharrelson5024]

Best snow test videos I have seen so far.

[@Scoutback_Adventures]

On Sunday I was up in the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Nat. Forest in my lifted Outback Sport leading my friends in their huge F-350s on 40 inch tires. They both got super stuck and my old Subaru had no problems whatsoever. I was amazed. I actually thought they were gonna be pulling me around the forest! I tried to pull one of them uphill out of the snowbank but only managed to get him up a few feet before my old clutch started slipping and I quit. We were there for hours but it was still fun!

[@kirkblackadar7299]

The old (new) 2.5 sounds pretty good with your foot into it too. Right on!

[@borger99]

I have a sport and I put an axle back exhaust on. It growls like bobcat at redline, like a more gutty BRZ/86

[@dolguldur4706]

The beauty of boxer engine....with a few exhaust mod,it sure will make you smile

[@kirkblackadar7299]

@@dolguldur4706 I have a sohc 00 RS coupe, full exhaust and headers. It's the most beautiful sound haha, haven't had the radio on in over 8 years. I have a 95 inoreza RX car I swapped a dual cam na 2.5 in, it sounds different in its own way. My 2010 foz has a 2011 sti sedan cutback and it's subke but nice. Cheers

[@alexa9771]

Wow. What a test driving on snow video. 👏👏👏

[@andysiebert31]

Thanks for showing us the capabilities and limitations!

[@daveholte7658]

Another well done video Excellent!

[@NismoPWNS]

somehow I had never heard of this channel even though I follow a bunch of automotive journalist and that intro made me subscribe immediately. Looking forward to getting to know the channel more!

[@smokescreen399]

Great Vid ! Love the competition comparisons

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Gotta say, I LOVE that rear end rotation.. YES!! Gotta Love my Subaru!!! (Even though I also love my Audi and Lexus). In the end, it's definitely both a "TANK" and "Hooner" Certified lol. Thanks Ryan!!!

[@rammezfickry1466]

Great video. I wish you & your family a happy new year. Stay safe, all the best & God bless.

[@dolfowolfo1]

Pretty cool that they added the option to tweak the drive train. I drive a 2010 Forester XT. During my first winter this year I've learned to turn the Traction Control "off" when going around tight turns/taking off semi aggressively :).

[@MrThewhip333]

Living in Canada I always like to see your snow videos

[@alejandroortega5499]

Just got the metallic green one. Love it so far.

[@jovandjukic5923]

Imagine how the cars on video will be good with proper winter tires :)

[@EZapar]

That drone shot of you making it through the new stuff!! Stoked to see the Jeep. I saw it sitting there. ;)

[@dadsoldjeep182]

~6:30, you can see the passenger rear wheel spin. So the Forester did send power to the rear quicker than Ryan observed. He's only looking at the wheel closest to the camera.

[@martinr8278]

Even with the amount of snow being “too deep”. That’s pretty darn impressive for the forester to get as far as it did. Viva the wilderness. How would crv, rav or sportage do? I’d like to see those tested

[@DaveCroons]

With good aggressive snow tires, that thing would climb to the moon!

[@nairolfnednilruz]

That is an excellent clip!!

[@huddleen]

Great review. I personally love nothing more than power sliding my Subaru in huge drifts on the snow.

[@vedder10]

This was such a fun video to watch. Nice to know my Subaru can handle the deep stuff.

[@maxcastro007]

Ryan and hes team nail it. Amazing video. I hope Subaru realizes how important are they team job in doing honestly reviews guiding Us in order to make the right decision about buying a good car. I'm on it and I will buy the Forester Wilderness. Hello Subaru, help theses guys make more and great reviews!

[@BoanergesJim]

I would love to try my Outback Wilderness on that road! Alas, I am in Texas, where we only get snow every few years, but when we do, the power grid decides to go south for the winter.

[@johngrano2965]

Very cool review!

[@jovandjukic5923]

Awesome video and awesome cars!

[@marounelhajj2668]

OMG what a power in this forester that's awesome

[@hobbytake2845]

I’m envious, I would love to drive up that hill!

[@jdk]

I love your videos and respect the efforts you put on this. Thanks a ton! Can you please do a test on Mazda CX-9?

[@karltollefson4308]

I really like your videos. They are informative and nicely produced. Could you do an offroad review of the Ford Explorer Timberline?

[@johnnywang206]

I’m definitely leaning towards getting this car based on these tests.

[@Ares310788]

love those video and the subi !!!

[@rterry2752]

To get this car to really perform, absolutely put snow tires on it. I use Bizack 90s , put stock tires on in the spring. Drive from Denver up to the mountains twice a week.

[@adventuretraveling8957]

Whoa 🤯 whoa this is next level of automotive reviews I never seen in different channel hats off to you !! Thank you so much & can you please review on Hyundai Santa Fe XRT

[@hakkai153]

Love the maverick in the background. :D

[@fernandovargas7562]

Cool video dude …. U had a lot of fun…..

[@motominima6420]

Thanks for the excellent test. I have a FX4 Maverick which is fantastic in snow and we have a Forester Wilderness arriving in three weeks for my wife to replace her Crosstrek. I love seeing both vehicles in your videos.

[@daveunknown01]

Would you consider the crosstrek too small?

[@blader3]

Love my 2021 Crosstrek sport/outdoor it comes with the same engine as this but a bit lighter it's amazing

[@augustpotor3985]

I bought a '21 Forester Sport right before I left Arkansas for a job in Idaho last March. Before I did that, I put took off the stock Falkens and put on the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trails...figured I would eventually encounter snow. Glad I did, I also enjoy the dual X-Mode :D

[@teggy95se]

I just picked up my 22' Forester Wilderness, mostly because of this video!

[@jaybou007]

Great, great, great in-depth video that goes far beyond usual details. As usual, Ryan makes it viewer friendly and comprehensive. But it confirms to me this thing needs a turbo engine…