No trouble at all!
Spoiler alert: The Outback Wilderness was never in trouble. In fact, it had as much fun as we did.
The switch for activating the X-Mode system that refines the operation of the all-wheel drive was the first thing I looked for on the dash. I had often found it on the centre console of other Subarus, but here, nope!
The Wild is also equipped with a camera specifically dedicated to showing us near-180 degree images of what’s happening in front of the vehicle at ground level. Is a big rock lurking there? A tree trunk? The camera is there to warn us. And its control button is easy to find, to the right of the CVT transmission shift lever.
As soon as I pressed it, I let out a small expletive of relief. On the central screen, not only could I see the ground I would have to cover (suggestion to the manufacturer: the image resolution could be better), the X-Mode function appeared, just waiting for me.
With your fingertips, you select the icon of your choice on the touchscreen: Normal, Snow/Sand or Deep Snow/Mud. It was a menu we had to sample all of.
The highlight came with Alain behind the wheel, and me outside to document our exploits with my iPhone, as he set out to climb the crumbly slope at very low speed, and do it without taking any kind of a running start.
The front wheels dug into the ruts to the point that the driver's side rear wheel lifted off the ground. The Wild was balanced on three wheels.
From this position, Alain gave it some throttle. He jerked the wagon back and forth, as if he was trying to get out of a snowbank in the middle of January.
The wheel, which was no longer touching the ground, began to lift more. With each pedal stroke, it levitated a little more. All the while, I could hear the gears of the permanent all-wheel drive system frantically turning on, as if the end of the world depended on it.
The X-Mode system, no doubt assisted by the VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control), was modulating the torque to the three wheels that had kept contact with the ground. After three or four controlled swings, the Yokohama A/T had enough traction under the sole to propel the Wild towards its destiny.
Did I mention that this particular test was conducted while climbing the ascent in reverse?
To conclude with our little experiments, we unearthed the descent limiter, also found on the centre screen. Land Rover popularized it under the name Hill Descent Control. The principle: once you check the box, you don't touch the brakes, only the steering wheel. The vehicle takes care of everything by judiciously applying the brakes in order to descend at a safe and constant speed. As soon as you touch the left pedal, the system is neutralized.
Once again, I'm happy to report that the Wild was up to the task, with one arm figuratively tied behind its back!
Specifications sheet of 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness
