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2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness, features, specs
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By Denis Flierl Jun 4 2022 - 7:01am

A Dive Into The Subaru Forester’s Massive Sales Drop - 2 Reasons Why

The refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester sales plummeted again in May. Take a look at two possible reasons why.
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The 2022 Subaru Forester was Subaru of America's most popular all-wheel-drive model, but that is changing. Subaru of America (SOA) reported May sales, and the refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester sales plummeted again for the third month. Does Forester's drop in sales go beyond microchip shortages, supply chain issues, and plant closures?

The 2022 Forester compact SUV saw the most significant drop in the SUV lineup again. Forester dropped 72.5 percent compared with May 2021, with only 5,496 models delivered to customers compared with 20,006 in May 2021.

2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness, features, specs

The plant that manufactures the 2022 Forester shut down for two days this week, so is this the reason for Forester's drop in sales? Subaru Corporation also makes the 2022 Crosstrek subcompact SUV, which hasn't affected its sales in the U.S. market.

The sizzling hot Crosstrek cooled off slightly in May with 9,894 sales, but it was only down 1.2 percent compared with 10,013 sales in May 2021. The hot Crosstrek is up 2.7 percent for the year.

2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness, features, specs

The Crosstrek is second in total sales behind the Outback, with 59,374 subcompact SUVs sold year-to-date. Forester only has 42,984 sales in 2022 and is down 50.7 percent year to date, the most of any SUV carline.

Why are Subaru Forester sales slipping while Crosstrek is up for the year and Outback sales are up 5.2 percent in May?

The Forester is fuel-efficient, and it's still one of the most fuel stingy compact SUVs with all-wheel-drive. But with the gas price averaging 4.81 per gallon, according to AAA, customers are looking for the best mileage.

What is the 2022 Forester fuel mileage?

The 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUV comes with standard all-wheel drive and gets an EPA estimated 29 combined mpg and 26/33 city/highway mpg. The Forester comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine.

One of Forester's significant shortcomings is it competes in the competitive compact SUV segment with the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson. All those models offer a more fuel-efficient hybrid option, and the Forester does not.

The Forester is affordable, and that's not why customers are looking elsewhere. What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Forester?

The 2022 Forester comes in six trim levels; With Subaru of America’s recent price increase, the Base Forester now starts at $27,070, Premium ($30,070), Sport ($31,640), Limited ($33,750), new Wilderness ($34,695), and Touring ($37,170). Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,175).

2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness, features, specs

We thought the all-new 2022 Forester Wilderness would give the compact SUV a significant bump in sales, but it hasn't been the case. Customers buy the Outback Wilderness in large numbers, but not as many of the rugged Forester Wilderness trim level.

Another Forester shortcoming is Subaru of America should have offered the new Forester Wilderness with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower. Forester Wilderness comes with the standard 2.5-liter natural aspirated Boxer engine producing 182 horsepower. That's a significant difference when customers carry additional cargo and camping gear up a steep mountain pass.

Two changes Subaru should make to the Forester

For the 2023 Forester, Subaru of America should ask for a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the Forester Wilderness. Subaru Corporation will make significant changes to the Forester compact SUV in 2024 when it gets a complete remodel. For the Forester to compete with the competition, Subaru needs to offer the remodeled 2024 Forester compact SUV with a more fuel-efficient hybrid trim level.

The refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester sales plummeted for the third month. Forester compact SUV sales may not improve until Subaru makes significant changes. In the comments below, let Subaru Corporation know what changes you would like to see in the next-generation 2024 Forester.

You Might Also Like: The New-Generation Forester Could Be Subaru's Next Model To Go Electric

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

Rich Weinroth wrote on June 4, 2022 - 3:42pm
Subaru desperately needs hybrids across the lineup. Real world mileage does not match the advertised mileage, especially in city driving. Subaru also needs to add proximity warnings on backup cameras and offer full 360 cameras.
CJ wrote on June 4, 2022 - 5:28pm
people probably figured-out there's a hidden $8,000 CVT transmission replacement figured-in after 100K-miles
Duane Kaufman wrote on June 5, 2022 - 7:53am
Your experience may differ, but I just drove my 2014 Forester with CVT (180k miles on odometer) down to Florida and back from Wisconsin (1300 miles one-way). I pulled a U-Haul trailer back home through the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky with no problems.
Rose E wrote on June 4, 2022 - 6:12pm
I have bought 3 legacy models over the years. You need to build a hybrid gas model. Within the next year I will be looking at Toyotas as they have several models that get much better gas. The hybrid gas models need to be offered in US. I loved all my Subarus but you are not thinking of future Subaru owners. Sorry to say I am gone if you don’t offer hybrid gas models
George Binder wrote on June 5, 2022 - 12:50am
Love Subaru currently own a 2018 Forester Touring and 2007 Legacy Wagon
DinoLeblanc wrote on June 5, 2022 - 7:50am
i won't trade in my 2018 forester XT until they come up with the 2.4L in the wilderness. Period. NO TURBO NO TRADE.....
Frank A Martin wrote on June 5, 2022 - 9:11am
The article notes that "One of Forester's significant shortcomings is it competes in the competitive compact SUV segment with the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson. All those models offer a more fuel-efficient hybrid option, and the Forester does not." But then it goes on to say "For the 2023 Forester, Subaru of America should ask for a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the Forester Wilderness." ---- For first QTR 2022 Toyota sold 119,822 electrified vehicles in the US, while Subaru sold 132,346 total vehicles. Clearly one of Toyota's main reasons for buying 20% ownership sales in Subaru is they see an opportunity to sell Subaru hybrid technology. So a hybrid Subaru other than the low sales volume Crosstrek is coming. I expect to see one this summer for 2023 model year. I just don't know which model it will be (the Impreza and Crosstrek are due for a new generation)
Doug Potts wrote on June 5, 2022 - 10:56am
I don't know why Subaru got rid of the best engine they had...the 3.6 six...I had a 2017 Outback that had one...should have kept that car. Instead I got a 2020 Ascent with the 2.4 turbo. On the highway this car is great...in town this engine/trany combo is terrible. It will immediately shift from first to fourth gear asap which causes it to feel sick. Going up a hill in town is rediculous...it doesn't know what gear it should be in. Why can't they put the 3.6 engine in the Ascent???
Joe in MD wrote on June 6, 2022 - 12:50pm
As a 2019 Forester owner, we were looking to buy another SUV--larger 7-8 passenger. The Ascent was off the list as a 2.4 Turbo was a non-starter for me for a vehicle of this size and weight. We bought a Hyundai Palisade (it has a 3.8 six with 8sp trans). Been very happy. (I think I recently read that Toyota is discontinuing the 6 cylinder for the Highlander.)
Frank A Martin wrote on June 9, 2022 - 10:43am
Subaru got rid of their 3.6 six to meet the new CAFE requirements. Overall Subaru fleet mpg 21.5 2004 lowest fuel economy Subaru history 21.9 2005 21.6 2006 22.1 2007 22.3 2008 22.6 2009 23.4 2010 Modern CVT introduced 23.8 2011 25.0 2012 26.5 2013 27.3 2014 28.1 2015 all models use CVT (xcept BRZ) 28.1 2016 28.5 2017 28.7 2018 best fuel economy Subaru history 28.4 2019 6 cylinder engine terminated 28.5 2020 28.4 2021
Dimitri wrote on June 6, 2022 - 9:12am
What Forester NEEDS, is to be able to tow more than 1,500 lbs. I am currently exploring market for SUVs and pick-ups tat can tow a small trailer.
Paul Tomlinson wrote on June 6, 2022 - 12:03pm
My 2017 Forester has the amplifier located under the driver's seat. I have been waiting over 5 months for a repair. Road salt, ice, snow and rain from driver's feet caused corrosion and amplifier to fail (twice). Subaru can't repair. MOVE THE AMPLIFIER!!!
Duane wrote on June 6, 2022 - 1:23pm
I looked for the two reasons, then just had to guess what they were...
LKF wrote on June 7, 2022 - 10:31pm
Many have shared their feelings that although the Forester is a very good car, it is not a very attractive car. I share this belief and acknowledge that the Crosstek, Outback, and the Ascent are more attractive cars. That explains why although the Ascent got bad reviews, consumers chose it over the Forester because many people believe their cars are an extension of themselves. Admittedly, I do not find the Wilderness to be attractive and when I first saw the car, my first response was, “Subaru is either being tone deaf, or just not listening.” I own a Limited and the interior is really beautiful. It’s the front end of the car that needs to be redesigned. I truly believe if an attractive redesign occurs on the front end, the Forester could easily compete with its rivals and show increased sales. Why not, it’s a great car!!!
SMcK wrote on June 9, 2022 - 2:09pm
When I bought my 22 Outback Onyx XT in the middle of April, I inquired about the 22 Foresters and the Subaru salesperson told me the 2022 Forester wasn't available yet and it would be until August that they would be come available. The only folks driving the 22 Forester right now are those who ordered them back in January or such. I'd wager that the unavailability of 22 Foresters might greatly impact the current year's sales numbers when compared to the pervious year? Honestly, this constant "the sky is falling" about declining sales numbers, during a pandemic and at a time when parts shortages have caused huge shortages in the 22 model year line-ups, just seems like you're doing two things... grasping for content, and trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. For clicks.
SMcK wrote on June 9, 2022 - 2:21pm
While poor sales numbers right now are mostly impacted by a lack of available vehicles on lots... I do agree that the Forester suffers badly from only having the 2.5 liter with it's meager 182HP available across all trim options. Anyone who wants to be able to two something over 1500lbs has to look past the Forester in it's current offering. Adding an optional 2.4T to the lineup would give a Forester equipped with the 2.4T more than double that towing @ 3500lbs capacity. Subaru really needs to make that happen if they want to compete with Honda and Toyota in that segment.
Walter P Parker wrote on June 10, 2022 - 4:11pm
Had to wait 4 months for one and was told by the dealer their not taking new orders until next year. ThTs why sales are down.
Artemio AP wrote on June 11, 2022 - 12:17pm
My dream Forester would be a hybrid with towing capacity and a boxier back end that provides a wider opening, greater headroom and visibility… and an alternative to the CVT transmission!
Chris T wrote on June 14, 2022 - 6:08pm
As a previous 2018 XT owner, I have just sold my Forester in favour of a 2021 Ford Everest. The reason I think that Subaru is losing sales on the current gen and certainly why I didn't get a newer model is because of the lack of a turbo charged XT model. Why they have the STI motor and refuse to put it into a Forester is something I'll never truly understand. That's why they lost me as a customer.
Rajan Saroja Ar... wrote on July 8, 2022 - 9:09am
It is important for Subaru America to stay ahead in the competition. Due to ever increasing fuel cost, Subaru should bring fuel efficient turbo engines ( 1.8 lit turo available in Japan market ) with improved horse power for models like Forester, Outback, Legacy and Crosstrek. Also 1.5 lit turbo engines to Impreza (Sedan and hatchback). Forester: Fuel Efficient 1.8 Lit turbo engine, 2.4 Lit Turbo for Customers seeking performance, Add Hybrid to improve the fuel efficacy further. It is very important to Match the Cargo / Luggage room with competitors ( Hyundai Tucson & KIA Sportage ) Outback: Fuel Efficient 1.8 Lit turbo engine, 2.4 Lit Turbo for Customers seeking performance, Add Hybrid to improve the fuel efficacy further. It is very important to Match the Cargo / Luggage room with competitors ( Honda Passport and Hyundai SantaFe ) Crosstrek: 1.5 lit turbo engine for lower trim levels. 1.8 lit turbo engine for Sport and Limited. 2.4 lit turbo for future trim (wilderness). Improved cargo space is essential. Add Hybrid variants for more fuel efficiency Impreza: 1.5 lit turbo engine for lower trim levels. 1.8 lit turbo engine for Sport and Limited for performance seeking customers. Ascent: 2.4 lit turbo engines is OK. Hybrid variant to improve fuel efficiency. Passenger room and luggage room improvement/increase to match the competitors ( KIA Telluride the best selling SUV in this segment ) I am awaiting on a 2023 Year Forester with some remarkable change