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Are you in the market for a compact crossover in 2022? Subaru‘s offering is one of the best available, but there are plenty of trim levels from which to choose. KBB lists the 2022 Subaru Forester as one of its favorites in the segment, as do many other popular reviewers. There are many reasons it’s the automaker’s top seller, and one of them is the variety of choices. Which 2022 Subaru Forester trim should you buy?

How many 2022 Subaru Forester trim levels are there?

Geyser Blue 2022 Subaru Forester driving on a dirt road, which trim should you buy?
Geyser Blue 2022 Subaru Forester | Subaru

According to KBB, the 2022 Subaru Forester compact crossover has six different trim levels from which to choose. These range from a very affordable base model to a luxurious top trim model. The base model starts just above $25,000, and the top Touring trim eclipses $36,000 after applying destination fees. These models have a great mixture of tech, features, and highly touted Subaru safety. Plus, the newest model year received a refresh.

2022 Subaru Forester TrimsPrice
Base$26,320
Premium$29,320
Sport$30,890
Limited $33,000
Wilderness$33,945
Touring$36,420
Prices from Car and Driver, after shipping, handling, and destination fees.

What’s new with the 2022 Subaru Forester?

A blue 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness compact crossover, which trim should you buy?
A blue Subaru Forester Wilderness is driving on a trail | Subaru

There are plenty of updates to the compact crossover for the new model year. This includes a refresh which gave it blockier headlamps, a new grille, and new wheel designs. Additionally, the Wilderness trim is brand new and off-road focused. It adds more ground clearance along with a rugged appearance package.

The Forester gains a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment on all but the base trim for the interior. Even the EyeSight suite of driver assistance features got a little better. Upgraded camera sensors with a more extensive field of view and operating range, plus a new automatic emergency steering system, enter the lineup. Every model now comes with a torque-vectoring system, Subaru’s SI-Drive driving mode selector, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, and an auto start-stop feature.

Which 2022 Subaru Forester trim level should you buy?

There are a few reasons to buy each of the different trims. For instance, the Wilderness trim level is perfect for those who plan to take their compact crossover off-road. While it might not beat a truck or SUV at driving on rough terrain, it provides enough for the frequent camper, hiker, or biker to get where they want to go. If you’re uninterested in off-roading, which trim should you buy?

Other than that, the 2022 Subaru Forester Premium is the way to go. Not only is it affordable (under $30,000), but it has loads of desirable features. These include heated seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a panoramic powered moonroof, roof rails, and more. Upgrading to the highest Touring trim gains heated rear seats and a steering wheel, plus the Driver Focus distraction mitigation system. We think most people could do without those extras, so the Premium trim is more than enough. It provides comprehensive technology for the price and is better than the base model, making it the perfect happy medium.

Is the 2022 Subaru Forester right for you?

Are you looking for a reliable, compact crossover with plenty of safety and technology features? Then look no further than the Forester. This newly refreshed model is perfect for anyone who needs more room than a sedan provides but doesn’t want all the mass of a full- or mid-size SUV. Subaru’s compact crossover has something for everyone with new features like the Wilderness off-road trim and a standard panoramic sunroof. There are plenty of trim levels from which to choose, but the Premium option will be best for most buyers.

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