2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness XMode Extreme Snow Test

We take the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness on a snow mountain adventure to see how well X Mode handles extreme ice and snow.
#Subaru #subaruoutback #offroad
CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction
00:36 - Features
02:44 - Highway Driving
08:20 - Snow Covered Forest Road
16:18 - Into the Unknown
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[@theacn5308]

He's a natural born presenter, and reviews on this channel are the most fun to watch. I am a little jealous of his job actually :)

[@johnfarel3152]

I think we all are jealous but I’d never be able to the video work like that.

[@stevethemover]

By far the best vehicle review channel on KZbin.It’s like having a friend you trust reviewing vehicles.Would love to see a Subaru trail test with a stock car then with better tires which lots of people upgrade.

[@beaglesinthesun]

Big thanks to you and your crew for filming under such conditions. Great aerial shots from your drone.

[@allan5168]

I’m a product advisor for Subaru and use your videos to push my customers over the edge as to why they should own a Subaru! Thank you Ryan for being such an amazing ambassador for Subaru in all your videos, makes me proud to represent such an amazing brand!!

[@westernwildoutdoors]

You should tell them to build proper recovery points into their Wilderness models instead of relying on the I-bolts. As more people listen to the marketing hype and push these things to the edge more will get stuck. Subaru needs to give them a safe and convenient way to get out.

[@pingpongballz5998]

You should tell them how the CVT is crap in the long run

[@fishguy911]

@@pingpongballz5998 it is?

[@pingpongballz5998]

@@fishguy911 yup!

[@fishguy911]

@@pingpongballz5998 where is this information published?

[@aklettering4582]

My comment is this: As a lifelong Alaskan, I have never once gone into any back country arena w/the idea that I would deflate my tires unless in a strictly emergency situation. True, I have my air compressor, tools, etc but I do find that portion of this video not practical. He makes a good point that he has his camera crew in case of emergency. but I still have never, nor would I plan on deflating the tires unless within an extreme survival concern. In fact, I am a 100% studded tire person, no matter the vehicle and no matter who talks the big line about All Weather Radials, in our Alaskan winters. I'm getting ready to buy my Subaru, it may be the Wilderness, definitely an Outback though. Thank you Ryan and for sharing your stunningly gorgeous WA state for this video. I wish more auto, tool and gear companies would remember that women hike, build homes, get out in the woods and not all need car seats for children but like myself, a great trunk area for my idea of the gear I need and enjoy: tools, backpacks and survival gear. Thanks Subaru. I'll see you on the mountain.

[@Cringer101]

I have to say I have a 23 OB Wilderness and this channel is the main reason i got one, I done all my homework for a while when i was looking but my main selling thought were because of Ryan. such fantastic car reviews and testing over the years with huge amounts of knowledge and unlike others he actually takes the vehicles off-road and pushes them. The 23 model has had the new interface upgrade from the new OB line and its a better layout with things like seat warmer and Hvac on the main screen without having to go through many menus. Ive not had a chance to take mine into the mountains yet but i cant wait to see what this can do. And Ryan if you are ever up north of the border near Vancouver come say hello id love to take you out in mine :)

[@wildbill23c]

I feel that Subaru should sponsor this channel. Ryan does a great job demonstrating how capable the Subaru actually is, as opposed to another pretty popular review channel whom Subaru has black listed. I'm glad to see that Subaru is building some capable vehicles, seemed a few years they were quite lacking. Kind of reminds me of the old 80's 4WD Subarus again in their capability....great work Subaru.

[@jwuhome]

I'm torn between the wildernesses and other BOF SUVs. At the end of the day, do I need all the extreme off-road capabilities for driving mostly what Ryan has been doing in his videos, which Subarus are more than capable doing.

[@wildbill23c]

@@jwuhome I've had 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees, 1st gen 96 and a 98, both of them were unibody. You don't need a body on frame SUV to go offroad, contrary to what all the KZbin armchair quarterbacks pretend....Just look at all the regular XJ Jeep Cherokees that are heavily modified for offroad use, yes those are unibody as well. Wranglers, 4Runners, all those body on frame SUV's are just way over-hyped, and honestly ain't that great at doing anything in a practical sense...they're heavy, they're cumbersome, and they're not very well power to weight balanced. The only Wrangler that is pretty proportional would be a base model 2 door, which really is the only one that belongs on the narrow and tight offroad trails, the 4 door higher end models are too cumbersome for actual trail use due to their size and added weight, it really effects their breakover angles mostly....both my Grand Cherokees saw quite a few mud holes, backroads, ATV/UTV trails, etc. and never had any problems with either of them aside from the regular oil/filter changes, a battery and serpentine belt, as well as several sets of tires over the years. I was quite surprised with them considering they had what everyone has claimed to be the worst transmissions the 42RE...then again I had them serviced every 45,000 miles, and had auxiliary external transmission coolers on both,. The newer Grand Cherokees are quite capable as well. I haven't gotten to try out a new(er) Subaru, but given what Ryan has done in his videos they'd be more than capable with the right set of tires for your usage.

[@yodowilderness]

same with you, I purchased my 22 obw last Februry

[@wildbill23c]

@@yodowilderness So almost a year with it, how'd it doing for you? Have you kept track of fuel economy? For most of my needs the Subaru Outback or Forester would do fine...been tossing around the Subaru or a Ford Maverick, but still not liking the small turbo 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder engine idea for long term ownership....and the Subaru can still be had with a regular 4 cylinder.

[@overfrank]

This channel rocks! I purchased a forester wilderness and these videos played a huge role in the research.

[@tomahawk7259]

His 2019 Forester AWD video was what made me change from Ford to Subaru.

[@sothickitssickk]

Subaru and ford both unreliable. Should’ve went with the Toyotas.

[@beaglesinthesun]

Ditto, next month will mark one year of SFW ownership and I couldn't be happier with it. Test drove the RAV4, but it was too vanilla. My SFW reminds me of (and even kinda looks like) a WW2 Army jeep..

[@firebir11]

@@sothickitssickk I own a Toyota 4Runner and Subaru Outback…it’s not unreliable, it’s actually been a good little car. It’s not as tough as a 4Runner nor as smooth on the highway, but good.

[@sothickitssickk]

@@firebir11 i had a evo 8. that shit killed the STi. STi sucks. engine is weak

[@LoveMyZJ]

I continue to be impressed with the drivelines of these Wilderness models, and how well they seem to resist overheating in tough conditions like this....very nice!

[@jaybou007]

Suggestion to you, Ryan: I’m pretty sure both Wilderness models (Outback and Forester) are cross-shopped by many. How about a side-by-side comparison to help out potential owners to make a proper decision?

[@d.s.8733]

I have a Forester Wilderness in this Geyser Blue with all the options added and I Love it! My wife was driving home just after a major winter storm and called me while driving to brag about how great the car was handling the conditions. She was like I'm passing cars and not even worried which I must admit worried me but she got home safe and sound!

[@jayk.8192]

You can always pass cars...but you can't stop any faster. A LOT of people find this out the hard way in Colorado.

[@soulknight89]

You just make me smile every time you do something with the Outback Wilderness. This is going to be my next buy. I'm definitely not going to be putting it in situations like this, but it's good to know I'll be okay with it. Keep up the wonderful reviews. Love your channel!

[@Lionheart638]

I love your Wilderness videos. Always a treat to watch.

[@charlieknight5065]

Showing LOVE for the channel thank you for another great video once again man. Have a blessed day everyone

[@JakeDrives1]

I just want to comment and say how much I appreciate all of the Subaru Wilderness model videos you've done. I've watched every single one of them from beginning to end (both Forester and OB).. You are providing hugely valuable content that isn't available anywhere else. Subaru owes you a pat on the back.. Phenomenal products, even better content!

[@skolenimation]

This channel and the coverage on the OBW is what made me buy a ‘23 OBW and my first Subaru. Two months later and I’m still very happy with it.

[@veteranveteran9915]

You are one of the reasons I just purchased a 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness Edition. Thank you for all of your hard work on these car videos. 💞

[@vuthyroeun415]

Always enjoyed your videos. You guys are the reason I bought my Outback Wilderness when it first came out last year.

[@jorgmart1494]

Thanks Ryan from Montréal, love your videos, and being a big fan of Subaru outback your reviews make me happy. Keep it up!!!

[@oxirosmusic]

Man, this makes me validate my purchase even more! What a beast this car is!!

[@josephreyes7610]

I own a wilderness too and I couldn’t agree w you more!!

[@Sassy.af1828]

My Forester Sport is a beast in the Minnesota snow this year! Haven’t got stuck once that’s to the X-mode!

[@kevinW826]

@@immachine1565 that’s why I will stay with the older 2016-2019 models, I can replace that stupid touchscreen with an aftermarket stereo and not worry about a failing blanking out POS that costs thousands of dollars to replace

[@kevinW826]

@@immachine1565 maybe in the US. I haven’t heard of anything up here in Canada

[@timanderson6111]

OK. I have been watching these videos for some time, now... this, however, might just be your best. You take us on an adventure with you to "Grandma's house" for Christmas dinner. You did forget to bring the family. As you were, I am also impressed by how far you went. We all know you are insane, just as we all know we all love what you do. Keep 'em coming. By the way, I just got back from a photo shoot with diving hawks and falcons but since I didn't have a date, I "moused" straight to this site for some great entertainment. Thank you!

[@farcinue]

Your reviews are always impressive and helpful in terms of knowing a vehicles capabilities.

[@SoulfulHouseMafia]

I just recently picked up my ‘23 Outback Wilderness last Friday and am enjoying it out here in Colorado. These reviews by you helped me tremendously in my decision to purchase one and couldn’t be more happier. Thank you and always look forward to all of your content!

[@Afshin_Kamal]

Man I love your videos. Thank you so much. Your videos helped me to make my mind and get my Outback wilderness and I’m absolutely loving it so far. 👍🙏

[@torpedo1958]

Awesome! Big thanks for producing this stuff, really enjoy watching and learning😎

[@tymax50]

Always look forward to your videos!! Strongly considering this car thanks to you!😊

[@stephenrosenfeld833]

I'm really glad you ran this test with a completely stock vehicle and tires. I'm sure the enthusiasts will have lots of suggestions, but for us everyday drivers, the stock performance is what we want to know about. I always ran winter tires on my three previous Forester's, but since the OBW Yokohama tires have the three peak symbol, I've just left them on. My impression - with standard air pressure in the tires - is that the Geolanders are adequate, but noticeably more slippery when trying to stop at an icy intersection. Sometimes stopping distance is more important than forward traction!

[@OneBaldingWookiee]

I saw this video pop up 12 hours ago. That was torture; waiting all day until I could watch it. Great video as always. As I mentioned times before, this channel played a HEAVY part in our decision to purchase the OBW and we couldn’t be happier. Ryan, you rock. Edit: I see in the comments that there are many others that were also influenced. That’s awesome!

[@islandlazy99]

This channel should have over a million subscribers. This high quality tv style production.

[@broinsocali]

I got a 2021 Outback and I love it. Been road tripping with it and started car camping last year 2022. Great car very pleased that I bought it.

[@MbT379]

Thanks! Excellent content and very informative.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Ryan, you know me mainly as a critic and anti-Subaru follower, but I must give you credit. Your video is fantastic and even I, who despises Subaru, may actually sit in this wagon when it comes to the Auto Show near me. Cheers to 2023 sir.

[@Doc1855]

Hi Ryan, Another great review ! I’m so jealous of the places you go here in the PNW. You’re a lucky dog !

[@jjtsht]

Great video, Ryan. Beast of a vehicle !!

[@thegoodpath5008]

Ah! That was great ☺ what a fun video-i have a Subaru Outback but have been looking to trade in for the Wilderness model.. loved your test review.

[@DroneSurf]

Amazing vehicle and very good presentation. Thanks for taking that time.

[@LexyVeal]

Such a good review of an amazing vehicle. Thank you for doing this wonderful piece.

[@G2takinover]

Drive thru 3 ft deep in my 24’ crosstrek wilderness edition don’t get stuck at all! I fuckin love it

[@robvanhalen9696]

Great video, as usual. Imagine how well it would have performed with actual dedicated winter tires, which I'd definitely swap for during the cold Canadian winters. The stock all-terrain tires are just all-seasons.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

Well you sold me! Thanks for the fantastic review.

[@howardtran5904]

Thank you Ryan for the great review of the Subaru OB Wilderness edition. Because of your videos about this amazing vehicle, I went out and placed an order for one, which should arrive at my Surabu dealership by the end of January 2023. Can't wait to own it.

[@Skierontheedge]

Thank you for such great detailed interesting videos! So good!

[@Macman608]

I’ve been waiting on a video such as this to really see what the Wilderness can do. Super impressive! Living in Colorado I need a vehicle that will handle the snow and ice we experience in the winter months. I’m shopping all different types of vehicles and this one will definitely be at the top end to consider. Thanks for providing such great feedback.

[@COplateauguy]

I live in Colorado too and have a non wilderness outback and an actual true 4x4. If you're not going to be doing any real 4x4 stuff the OB wilderness is probably one of the best all around choices you can make for Colorado stuff. I wouldn't take this or any Subaru on really legit 4wd trails but if that's not your thing it's more than good enough.

[@Henry11111]

What vehicle did you end up buying?

[@Macman608]

@@Henry11111 Nothing as of yet.

[@malifestro3319]

Great job on the drone!

[@jppilotadventurez5251]

Can’t wait for you to get your hands on the new pilot trailsport 😊 Great review as always! Keep up the great work!

[@drivingsports]

2 weeks!

[@phongdao9239]

@@drivingsportsYes, the Polit Trailsport is what I am waiting for.

[@rynleo1981]

Excellent review and great expedition!

[@TypeNull19]

As a Outback Wilderness owner, I love this. Love my wilderness edition and pumped to get it out for some fishing adventures in 2023!

[@ataakin4656]

Awesome dream car

[@calvincalvinify]

Same , so expensive though

[@eskieman3948]

@@calvincalvinify Compared to.....?

[@kless001]

@@eskieman3948 easy to look it up yourself

[@kless001]

@@eskieman3948 easy to look it up yourself

[@mr.misunderstood2610]

Same here

[@bakjd123]

Thanks Ryan. Our ‘18 Outback with proper winter tires gets us up and over Stevens and down a forest service road to our cabin - it’s amazing. Currently considering the new Pilot though for the useable third row. Hoping you can review that this winter. Really appreciate these reviews.

[@drivingsports]

Filming Pilot Trailsport in a couple weeks!

[@gv4189]

I loved the video. I thought the wilderness did a great job. I definitely want to upgrade my premium to a wilderness for sure now! Thank you for the video.

[@TechOttawa]

Bought one of these last May - these reviews helped make the decision. It's a great car - handles like a dream on/off road. Love the power and X-mode grip. The tires are great in light snow but not snows. Let's get that tablet software upgraded ASAP Subaru.

[@jonchicoine]

Love the drone footage!

[@dankramer7840]

Love your videos, Ryan. And the Outback Wilderness is totally amazing. Can't wait to trade in our current '16 Outback Premium foe a new Wilderness model 👍

[@terrence4933]

The OBW is my first Subaru and I love it!

[@zachv8286]

Wonderful video -- definitely one of my favorites that you've produced! Great scenery, challenging environment, and wonderful commentary. Thanks for pushing that OBW; it did great! Some snow tires and a 2" lift would have that thing rocking in those conditions.

[@sergneo]

I’m sold .. totally Awesome.. and I love how the parts where the Violin came in .. 😅😅

[@wanglee21]

Very well tested! Thanks!

[@subieman]

Your reviews are always entertaining and informative. Thanks for all you do!

[@loneapple440]

Great video and video team!

[@vargulfen]

I picked up my 23 OBW a few weeks ago (traded in my 20 onyx) and your channel has been the best resource for Outback information. Thanks! Also agreed the main contention in any Outback I have had is that center media console. From being very slow the first minute I start the car to sometimes flat out crashing and rebooting while driving (Onyx 20) They really need to put a better processor and more memory in the system board. Love everything else about it though. The wireless Apple Car play is why I held out for a 23.

[@markweaver1012]

I just added a wireless Ottocast dongle to my '20 Onyx that gives me wireless carplay and android auto. It also does full screen android auto (which maybe Subaru will support someday in the older gen6s, but who knows how long they'll drag their feet on that).

[@Matt-kj5qi]

Your channel is a big reason why I recently bought a Crosstrek. But I got a 6mt so I don't have X-mode

[@martinr8278]

Each review of wilderness Subaru gets better and better. Love the terrain that’s shown here and just showing what it can or cannot do. This suv is just amazing bumper to bumper. Anyone getting this made a great choice. Out of my price range but hands down, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Your reviews of these vehicles are spot on. Viva Subaru! 🏆🥇

[@jaybou007]

If Subie could offer a base version with the Forester’s instruments including all the physical buttons instead of that giant iPad, that’d be great.

[@jorgmart1494]

And that would be awesome

[@yodowilderness]

I can tell how excited you are, I love my outback wilerness as well.

[@jeremiahjohnson3018]

I must have been there a few days after you filmed this. I saw the tracks and wondered who made it that far up the trail!

[@whafrog]

Using less wheel slip on crunchy slush/snow makes sense, I'd think you'd only want the spin in powder. Great video, love your attention to detail.

[@presentowner3198]

Mindbuildingsolutions approved! Excellent video amd content.

[@Maggieismydog]

We are Subaru fans and owners. We are on our 6h Subaru and wish this Outback would come to Australia. We purchased the 2.5 NA Outback when it released here in Oz in 2021 and we’re told the Turbo would never come, now it has. We love watching your reviews, Raytheon Subaru ones! Also, absolutely love your jacket would you mind telling me where you picked it up from? Thanks and happy new year! Fans from Australia!!!!

[@ddkk17045]

Hands down the best automotive journalist.

[@MegaRetr]

Big thanks to you and your crew for filming under such conditions.

[@Supertrooper432]

All jokes aside love the channel, quality/production/ and flow have come a long way and I always love watching your reviews like this even though I have no intention of buying most of these. You have a wonderful standardized testing pushing each vehicle through the same conditions but being realistic. 4runner for the win though!

[@paulsumpter9573]

Thx for such excellent reviews. I traded my 2 door JL wrangler for a '23 Outback Wilderness last night for the wife to drive. We live in the mountains in West Virginia and I think this is going to become our favorite vehicle ever.

[@TM-uy4jg]

Great review

[@chybie]

Great video. Nice that you are showing such extensive off road check with no stupid cuts that sucks.

[@7g6_66]

Great video Ryan and both nick’s the cvt seemed to work best when you were at the higher rpm in that deep snow, that sheet of ice is extremely slick and also pretty hard plus the inclines and also the dirt and what not under the snow i think it did very good performance in this test, i used to always test out the auto and lock mode in conditions very similar in multiple pathfinders with the cvt and also with the 5spd auto based on the frontier platform i was throughly impressed with the difference that the modes made very much so like the Subaru

[@lolkeyen1]

I currently work for Subaru, I drive a Wrangler. I've been given the opportunity to drive the 23' Outback Wilderness on more then a few occasions and have not been let down at all. I love my jeep yet I don't like the gas mileage. The Subaru on the other hand has pretty much everything that I would be looking for not only in a over lander vehicle but also a family vehicle. I am def going to be in the market to purchase one of these bad boys sooner then later. I've def been enjoying watching Driving Sports TV while taking all my qualification tests.. haha. Gives me insight on my other computer screen while watching my test vids for this vehicle. Thank you for the vid shares. Will continue you watching!

[@Coloradohiker658]

Love the review.

[@writehandman2833]

Love your channel. I'm looking at either the Outback Wilderness or Compass Trail Hawk, now that Jeep offers the 2.0 L Turbo version. I was very impressed with what this car can do.

[@drivingsports]

Very interested to try out that new Compass.

[@ryanwebb468]

Honestly I love these videos. I’m thinking about trading in my 4Runner. I don’t do intense off-roading but I do like to adventure. It’s good to know the capabilities, limitations and buying points without going straight to a 4Runner if I don’t need it. I tend to be on the road more but do just enough that I wouldn’t be ok a standard SUV. I’ve watched a million of these Outback videos from your channel as y’all are the only ones not just rolling it through a downtown area.

[@randylheureux4468]

We have a 22 OBW. Do a lot of driving in the snow and ice up in the PNW. Have not found anything it wont do off the pavement and it is super comfortable on long road trips.

[@PSYK0MANT1S]

22 OBW owner here. After tossing a set of Falcon Wildpeak AT3s, it makes this car nearly unstoppable. The skidplates are Fake AF, and need to be swapped for sure. ADF makes a wonderful skidplate system for the vehicle. Sure you lose MPG in the end, but the car is near unflappable. It just keeps chugging along with some little effort. Beautiful drive-system in this car for sure. Solid video testing detault off-the-showroom-floor tires.

[@magniarot]

What a review, amazing car.

[@robervin9107]

Shoutout nick awesome job Ryan.

[@redrum1955]

You have a great job 👍

[@jjay718]

Getting my OBW next month and cant wait. First time I watched this video of the OBW in the snow and looks like it did really well till it got high centered!

[@davidwayne9982]

THANK YOU-- this is what I've wanted to see.... what good is an offroad if no one ever shows it "OFF-ROAD"?? Snow- particularly wet slush and ice is what we get most of around here... THANKS AGAIN-- great video.

[@swinglow33]

Nick makes Ryan look good. Great drone footage and skills. Subaru is staring to win me over. Don’t need the Wilderness package, but always liked the Outback.

[@kailen98]

I love my 2018 outback it has the car play screen but still has physical buttons for climate controls and seat warmers. Really the best of both worlds that I’m sad they removed.

[@pimhoff]

Subarus's rock. In snow country in New England, you either have a 4-wheel drive pickup or a Subaru. Would have liked to have seen him back down the road. Mad skills to do that.

[@BocksGames]

Love your series but a small request to reduce the base frequencies just a bit while driving as my home theater helps us feel your roads, lol. :) Seriously love your show tho!!

[@pacattack81]

You rock as always and I love the way you say torque in all your videos. Do you think the 2022 Forester Wilderness would have been able to get that far?

[@alexanderh.999]

As an owner of a OBW I am happy to see what this car can do

[@ljastrong78]

Great review. Is the coat your wearing on the Subaru website?

[@jwuhome]

Nobody I mean nobody tests more Subarus than Ryan on YT.

[@martinr8278]

And does it right! 🏆

[@bcrouse1]

Man I would love to meet you This thing is a beast. I’m so glad I’m getting one

[@jkraina2180]

Looks like you had fun

[@austinsellars9346]

I truly can't speak highly enough about this car. I own a 23 and its such a fun and capable car with a ton of unique/fun features

[@DanuteP]

We need an Ascent Wilderness. I need the Ascent interior space and the Wilderness capability. Thanks for doing videos like these. Some folks will never drive in these conditions, but here in Alaska, this happens all the time.

[@markweaver1012]

I think the new Honda Pilot Trail is going to fill that niche before Subaru gets around to it -- I'm looking forward to Ryan's upcoming review.

[@pimhoff]

Upper-level Ascents have the same three-way snow functions. I think you get most of what is in the Wilderness packages (without the badge) in upper-level Ascents.

[@garbinator09]

impressive test gents!

[@steveclark8731]

Great information and tips. Do you think snow socks would have made any difference or was loss of traction mostly from high-centering?

[@user-sn1lu5yi6r]

The change of the final drive ratio makes a substantial difference. Mid and low range punch is more aggressive and responsive especially considering CVT's tend to struggle with initial take-off and acceleration.

[@hora2727]

Hey Ryan! Loving all your videos, big fan from Mexico… I just have a little question, for Deep Sand which Xmode do you recommend me? What I have learned Xmode #1 will help me more for the less wheel spin, thanks!!