The Subaru Outback is considered a premium wagon (or crossover) offering that’s a little cushier than the Forester. Based on the Legacy, this unibody five-seater is also quite a capable off-roader. However, some customers probably find it lacking still in that department. So, Subaru gave its estate car a shot in the arm with the Outback Wilderness.

Wilderness is Subaru’s adventure sub-brand. And the Outback Wilderness definitely looks a lot more brutish versus its refined sibling with its exclusive Geyser Blue color—reminiscent of the brand’s rallying roots. The car comes with additional bodywork protection in the form of bumper claddings, skid plates, and fender overriders. The tow hooks for winching are clearly marked with copper-colored cover plates.

Up top, the Wilderness has a new roof rack that is rated for 318kg, which should prove useful on lengthy expeditions. The interior is trimmed in Subaru’s unique water-repellent StarTex upholstery and has contrasting copper accents. All-weather floor mats with Wilderness branding are standard, and a full-size spare tire offers additional peace of mind when you’re traversing remote trails.

Powering the Outback Wilderness is a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine that delivers 260hp and 376Nm. To improve off-road capabilities, Subaru has revised the final drive ratio of the rear differential to 4.44:1 and modified the eight-speed CVT. Subaru’s X-Mode has also been enhanced, allowing the vehicle to change drive modes without any jerkiness or loss of power.

Ground clearance is an impressive 241mm courtesy of the lifted suspension and the uprated shocks. Combined with meaty Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires (which wrap 17-inch wheels) and the bodykit, this Outback’s off-road manners are significantly improved. The approach angle increases from 18.6° to 20°, the break-over angle goes from 19.4° to 21.2°, and the departure angle improves from 21.7° to 23.6°.

Pricing for the Outback Wilderness, which will be available in the US market, will be announced later this year. We hope to see the automaker bring this to the Philippines.