Henry Payne reviews the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness takes on the Holly Oaks ORV park.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness gains ride height (to 9.5 inches) and greater front and rear departure angles for better off-road capability.

Black sideburns, black fender cladding and load-bearing roof rails distinguish the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness.

Back in black. The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness gets lots of back cladding like a new front fascia and hood decal.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness sports a useful rear hatchback for cargo.

Like the front, the rear of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness gains a lot of rugged-looking black cladding.

Shoe show. The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness gains some of its design inspiration from running shoes.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness takes a break after a healthy run across Holly Oaks ORV Park.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness keeps the familiar 260-horse turbo-4 Outback engine.

The interior of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness options a sun roof.

Like the standard Outback, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness features a big center touchscreen. You'll know the Wilderness by its gold steering wheel shaft.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a Subaru nav system.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness's drive-assist feature is one of the industry's best at low speeds.

Gold is good. The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness gets a gold shifter.

X-Mode helps the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness manage steep off-road descents.

A front camera helps the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness see the (off) road ahead.

Yeah, we can climb that. With AWD and added clearance, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness can take on touch trails.

With X-Mode, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness helps the driver negotiate steep declines like this drop at Holly Oaks ORV Park.

A light in the rear hatchback helps for nightime visibility in the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness.

The Outback is Subaru's most iconic vehicle, and the 2022 Outback Wilderness is its most capable model.

The mid-size 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness has lots of rear seat room for six-footers like Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness sports washable back seats for when the rear gets muddy.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness has underbody skid plates for when the road gets rough.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness features a full-size spare.

How to strap down your roof tent on the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness.

For better off-roading the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness gets rugged 17-inch wheels mounted with Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires.

Roof rails on the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness can support a roof tent (and occupants).

Roof rails on the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness can support a roof tent (and occupants).