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2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Debuts: 3,500-Lb Towing Power, Smarter Tech, True Off-Road Spirit

By Amit Kulkarni
4 min read
2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness

Subaru has introduced the all-new 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, an off-road-focused variant of the sixth-generation Forester. The Wilderness adds distinctive styling, increased ground clearance, tougher underbody protection, and revised suspension and AWD tuning. It retains the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder (no hybrid option for Wilderness) and arrives at U.S. dealers with a starting price just above $38,400. Early testing indicates improved capability and comfort, though straight-line performance is slower than the outgoing model.

What's new and why it matters

Subaru has expanded its Wilderness family with the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, a more rugged take on the sixth-generation Forester designed for buyers who want credible off-road ability without sacrificing daily drivability. The Wilderness adds unique exterior and interior treatments, a raised ride height of 9.3 inches ground clearance, upgraded tires and wheels, reinforced tow and recovery points, and revised AWD and transmission cooling for increased towing capacity. Pricing starts at $38,400, positioning the Wilderness as a value-oriented alternative to pricier off-road competitors.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Specifications

  • Engine: 2.5-litre naturally aspirated boxer 4-cylinder
  • Power / Torque: ~180 hp / 178 lb-ft (company figure; slight variance vs. prior model)
  • Transmission: Revised Linear CVT with Dual-Function X-Mode and simulated paddle ratios
  • Ground clearance: 9.3 in (≈0.1 in more than previous Wilderness)
  • Towing capacity: 3,500 lb (with upgraded transmission cooler)
  • Fuel economy (EPA-like): approximately 24 mpg city / 28 mpg highway (roughly 1 mpg lower vs. last year's Wilderness)
  • 0–60 mph: early test runs recorded around 9.8 seconds (subject to testing conditions)
  • 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Starting price: $38,400 (destination and options increase final price; tested example ≈ $42,350 with package and destination)

Design and off-road hardware

The Forester Wilderness adopts a beefier visual identity to match its capabilities. Exterior highlights include a larger hexagonal grille, anodized copper trim accents, matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, and deliberate body cladding with functional openings in the wheelarches. Practical off-road upgrades include:

  • Full-size spare all-terrain tire (narrower width but full size, valuable off-road)
  • Two front and two rear recovery/tow hooks (improvement over the previous single front hook)
  • Real underbody skid plates and a silver-painted faux skid garnish on the bumper
  • Beefier roof rails with an 800 lb static load rating (roof tents and heavy cargo in mind)
  • A glare-reducing hood graphic and an available front camera for 180° view when off-trail (360° camera not offered on Wilderness trim)

The Wilderness is built on Subaru's Global Platform (stated as ~10% stiffer in torsional rigidity vs. previous generation), which Subaru says was engineered from the outset to accept Wilderness hardware.

Interior and technology

Subaru updated the Forester cabin with a redesigned center stack and improved storage ergonomics. Wilderness-specific touches include water-resistant Starex upholstery, copper contrast stitching, and a durable, rubberized cargo area. Notable interior points:

  • 11.6-inch portrait infotainment (current software is serviceable but reportedly sluggish and washed out in bright sun) with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Optional 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster (part of an options package) with map integration and off-road display modes
  • Standard panoramic sunroof (claimed to be the largest standard pano in its segment)
  • Optional Harman Kardon 11-speaker, 576-watt audio as part of a bundled $2,200 package that also includes the digital cluster and a power liftgate
  • No ventilated front seats on Wilderness (heated seats available), and Subaru confirms the new Forester interiors are animal-free (synthetic materials throughout)

Storage is practical: 27.5 cu ft behind the rear seats and about 61 cu ft with the seats folded, a flat load floor and rubberized cargo materials reinforce the outdoors focus.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Powertrain and on-road impressions

Unlike the sixth-generation Forester's new hybrid offering, the Wilderness is currently available only with the 2.5-litre NA boxer engine paired to a retuned CVT. Subaru has not announced a Wilderness hybrid or turbo (XT) variant for 2026, though it has signalled exploration of broader powertrain options.

Early driving impressions:

  • Acceleration is modest: 0–60 mph times in initial testing were around 9.7–9.9 seconds, slower than some prior Forester Wilderness runs (previous generation ~8.2s in one test), and noticeably behind Subaru's hybrid Forester (~7.9s in prior testing).
  • On-road ride and refinement: Subaru preserves the Forester's predictable, comfortable ride; the Wilderness tuning keeps compliance while adding capability. Visibility remains excellent thanks to slim A-pillars and a low hood.
  • Noise: All-terrain tires contribute measurable road noise at highway speeds on some pavement surfaces.
  • Handling: The Wilderness retains balanced, secure handling for a compact SUV with enhanced off-road composure.

Overall: buyers will appreciate the Wilderness' everyday usability and off-trail readiness, but those who want stronger straight-line performance should consider alternative powertrains or models.

Practical capability: towing, tires and cargo

Subaru equips the Wilderness with hardware aimed at genuine utility:

  • 3,500 lb towing capacity (thanks to upgraded transmission cooling and a rear-diff temperature sensor)
  • 235/60R17 Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires as standard on 17-inch matte black wheels
  • Full-size spare on a dedicated mounting location, a real advantage for remote use
  • Durable interior finishes and rubber cargo mat for wet/dirty gear

These details underscore Subaru's claim that over 50% of Wilderness buyers plan to take their vehicles off-road, Wilderness trims reportedly account for 15–20% of Subaru sales mix.

Competition and market positioning

At a starting price near $38,400, the Forester Wilderness competes with off-road oriented compact SUVs such as:

Subaru's Wilderness offers a compelling package of usable capability, standard AWD, and practical cargo/utility at a price that undercuts many heavily optioned rivals.

Bottom line, who should buy 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness?

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is an appealing choice for buyers who want a compact SUV that is equally comfortable on pavement and on remote backcountry approaches. It offers meaningful off-road hardware, practical cargo solutions, and Subaru's trademark AWD confidence. However, enthusiasts seeking brisk acceleration or hybrid fuel economy will find current Wilderness offerings limited by the absence of a turbo or hybrid powertrain, something Subaru may explore in the future.

If priority is credible off-road capability, value, and everyday comfort, the Forester Wilderness remains a strong contender in the compact adventure-SUV segment. If outright performance or the latest infotainment polish are top priorities, cross-shopping the Outback Wilderness (and hybrid/turbo options where available) or rival models is advisable.