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2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, features, specs, pricing
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By Denis Flierl Apr 22 2021 - 7:28am

Canadian Subaru Outback Wilderness Gets A Key Feature - U.S. Is Left Out

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness is only sold in North America for U.S. and Canadian customers. But Canada gets a key feature that you won’t see on U.S. models.
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The all-new rugged 2022 Outback Wilderness trim is built in Lafayette, Indiana, for North American customers. Subaru of America announced its new outdoor model, and Subaru Canada gave the specifications on its Outback Wilderness with one extra feature not found on U.S. models.

The two rugged models are identical, except for the Canadian Outback Wilderness comes standard with a heated steering wheel. The 2022 Outback Wilderness sold in the U.S. comes with only one option package that offers a power moonroof, Starlink 11.6-inch multimedia with navigation, and reverse automatic braking for $1,845. A heated steering wheel is not an option.

2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, features, specs, pricing

We know it gets cold in Canada, and customers up north will appreciate the added warmth of having the heat on their hands. Customers in the U.S. will have to wear gloves when the temperature drops below freezing in the Northeast, Rocky Mountains, and the Northwest.

Subaru pulled a similar stunt when they launched the refreshed 2021 Crosstrek Sport and Limited with the 2.5-liter Boxer engine. The two Canadian Crosstrek models come standard with a heated steering wheel, and U.S. customers were left out.

2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, features, specs, pricing

The Outback Wilderness was inspired by customers who are already modifying their vehicles. But customers who want a heated wheel will have to modify their new outdoor model if they live in the U.S. market.

We are surprised that U.S. customers get left out again. Subaru of America sells around ten times more vehicles than Subaru Canada, and Subaru Corporation priorities its U.S. customers. Yasushi Enami, chairman, president, and CEO of Subaru Canada, must have extra influence in Japan to get the additional feature on his Outback Wilderness models.

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness?

The U.S. Outback Wilderness is priced at $38,120 including destination and delivery fees. Subaru of Indiana Automotive builds the new 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness for North America but has to keep the U.S. and Canadian models separate on the assembly line.

We wonder if a few models will slip by the assembly workers and the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness with a heated steering wheel and find their way to U.S. retailers?

You Might Also Like: A New Subaru U.S. Plant Shutdown Affects 15,000 Vehicles Including 2022 Outback Wilderness

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Comments

Karen wrote on April 23, 2021 - 8:17am
The Canadian models miss out alot of things only American models get, ie: tire pressure sensors. Doesn't make sense that a safety feature doesn't come standard or at all. It's definitely true Americans get preference.
Austin wrote on May 17, 2021 - 8:05pm
Except Canadian models come standard with Heated Steering Wheels. Also, Hyundai Palisades and Genesis GV80 come standard with 2 more driving modes in Canada that we don't get in the states.
Craig wrote on April 23, 2021 - 10:14am
Think there's a typo where you say "priorities" instead of prioritize.
Charlie wrote on April 23, 2021 - 10:52am
Gee I need that + fpo like canadian ladoesbthough
Jeff Northrup wrote on April 23, 2021 - 12:00pm
Ya, but the Canadian models aren't powered by 100% freedom. So I think our American neighbour's will be alright.
Frank wrote on April 23, 2021 - 2:20pm
This is actually silly to exclude the American market of this. I live in a state that has six months of winter and would appreciate a heated steering wheel.
JEREMY Shawn MOORE wrote on April 23, 2021 - 2:21pm
I'm just gonna keep buying as many of them as I can until I get a factory mixup with the heated steering wheel
JEREMY Shawn MOORE wrote on April 23, 2021 - 2:21pm
I'm just gonna keep buying as many of them as I can until I get a factory mixup with the heated steering wheel
Sun0066 wrote on April 23, 2021 - 4:29pm
Another reason for not buy subaru , apart of the horrible slow and laggy new infotainment
Bruce Louis Manzano wrote on April 23, 2021 - 4:53pm
Why is the heated driving wheel not offered in the US? It seems like Subaru is losing out as well as the US.
jg wrote on April 25, 2021 - 10:39pm
The heated steering wheel has been exclusively on Touring models of Forester and Outback since it was first offered in the US. I know because I have upgraded multiple times to get them on both my cars. It really pissed me off that I had to get an Outback Touring to get it because I didn’t want the smooth roofline, which I think detracts from the Outback’s character. Of course, now that I have it, I certainly like it more than I thought I would. Subaru always leaves out costly options from new “special editions”. I was going to get a Crosstrek Sport for one of my kids, until I saw it didn’t even come with LED headlights or the full compliment of interior technology, like all the other models (except base).
Albert Kelly wrote on April 24, 2021 - 12:34am
Just one more reason I'll never purchase another Subaru!
DC wrote on April 24, 2021 - 1:28am
Ever since I bought a legacy a few years ago, I said my next vehicle would be an Outback. That has changed since Subaru has wrapped the Outback in black plastic cladding. Get rid of it at the wheel wells and include body colour bumpers and I might reconsider. Oh, and Subaru should get off their ass with electrification.
Jspam wrote on April 24, 2021 - 2:29am
As a Canadian, and I think others will agree, we will NOT buy a car without a heated steering wheel. I would simpley just choose something else. Another brand if need be.
jg wrote on April 28, 2021 - 10:40am
And that’s why it’s standard equipment in Canada. Subaru knows their markets pretty well.
Bill wrote on May 10, 2021 - 5:37pm
Not sure why automotive writers always mention the NW, NE, and Rocky Mountains in regard to Subaru vehicle buying. They are jumping by leaps and bounds in Minnesota and with the coldest winters in the lower 48 everybody wants a heated steering wheel. will not buy a car without it.
ex Wildern wrote on October 19, 2022 - 10:30pm
Subaru lost me because no heated steering wheel option