2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness - Bottom Line Review

MANAGING THE WOODS: That the very terrestrial ecosystem, which sustains all Earthen organic existence, often stands in the way of progress for its most evolved species remains one of life's greatest paradoxes.

In "Reflection of a Forest" the poet W.H. Auden noted the need to carefully tread the most delicate of nature's habitats:

"Within a shadowland of trees
Whose lives are so uprightly led
In nude august communities
To move about seems unbred."

Better bred vehicular incursions into the planet's timber covered spaces, often call upon Subaru, the renowned active outdoor lifestyle mobility brand. Out of prozaic subcompact car roots, the Forester crossover SUV became the Goldilocks in the Japanese automaker's lineup. It has suited adventurous small families with just the right size of boxer powered, high clearance, excellent visibility, all-wheel drive. A year into the updated sixth generation of Pleiades Six Star compact family ute, greater trail tackling has has been added: the more terrestrially tenacious 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness AWD.

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WHAT: 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness 2.5L sixth generation compact crossover utility vehicle, built on the Subaru Global Platform SL, replacing the fifth generation SK Forester.

Standard Power: 2.5L DOHC 16V DI gas flat-4 = 182 hp/ 178 lb-ft @ 3700 r.p.m. + continuously variable transmission + asymmetrical all-wheel drive. This powertrain + drivetrain is shared with the Subaru Forester compact SUV and standard Outback sport wagon.

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: Fractionally larger than its fifth generation SK forebearer, the evolutionary 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness remains committed to a trademark stodgy, upright expeditionary visual impression, all the while embracing a cleaner form.

Gone are the old sloped concave hood, jutting nose, and radically swept back sides. The radically bent shoulders of old have been replaced by a flatter, spill-over hood with more subtle power dome. Wrap-around hooked headlamps return with more prominent inboard directionals and outboard flaring. A wider, shallower hexagonal grille, fully encapsulated by body color frame, claims two lateral bars sandwiching the Pleiades Star emblem, supported by vertical supports. Lower bumper cover corners are less swept back with smoother lower corner vertical fold. The lower dark clad valance has contrast border outboard trapezoids with molded imprints.

The "legacy" relatively low, barely inclining beltline and tall greenhouse persists, with minor differences in wider beltline flare and prominently clad rising lower body crease. New slim clad squared pentagonal wheel arches are topped by body scalloping (The front wheel arch cladding's slotted trailing edge is said to reduce wind noise.) A thicker D-pillar, separated from the rear quarter panel by a "Symmetrical AWD" lateral band, and thicker roof spoiler buttresses collaborate with a longer roof spoiler to optically enhance length.

While the profile remains fairly upright, the rear end bumper cover protection embraces a bumped out liftgate, now flush with bumper cover. The mid liftgate dumps the old contrast cladding, with "FORESTER" lettering embossed below the glass, followed by a lowered license plate bowl and bottom crease. Wrap-around taillights shed their old acute boomerang shaping in favor of inverted inboard "L" units spanned by a character bar. Lower clad rear valances sport dual outboard hexagonal stops.

"Wilderness" ruggedized:

• Bronze against white mountain peak fender and lower right tailgate badges
• Bronze flashed roof rack pillars, dual front & rear bumper stops
• Full body dark plastic cladding, triple riser rising lower body with 2nd Row door bronze "FORESTER lettering
• "SUBARU" lettering embossed in dark bumper cover
• Faux front & rear skid plates
• Darkened grille with unique lattice lower insert

WHY: Enhanced tenacity ride for tackling the domain of the upright trees.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Autumn 2025

WHERE: Subaru new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.A

WHERE TO: Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive features a nominal 60:40% full time torque split. I[ntelligent] and S[port] i[ntelligent] drive modes vary throttle response and simulated shifting.

• +1 Selectable X-Mode snow & dirt and deep snow & mud modes cut wheel slippage by applying ABS earlier on uphill slopes. Going down the ravine X-Mode VDC signals ABS to simulate low gearing.
• X-Mode Hill descent control is accelerator pedal set from 2 - 12 m.p.h.
• +/- X-Modes actviate forward trail camera in the upper half of the media display (while not true surround park assist view).

HOW ROADWORTHY: Powering most other naturally aspirated Subies, the carried-over FB25D has found a broader torque curve. Connected to the Lineartronic chain spun CVT the 2026 Subaru Forester 2.5L snaps off more authentic shift steps, while the Wilderness' unique shorter final drive makes for sprightlier launches.

Despite clearing the ground by nearly ten inches, more relaxed spring rates rock less given a stiffer structure and the damping is more progressive rather than abrupt. While the helm remains numb, it has improved on center wind and makes parking tidier. Friction from the disc binders expects a fair bit of pedal prodding.

Where the Mk.6 Forester is transformative is in rigidity and cabin placidity. Greater insulation and improved fastening has dispatched much agrarian noise of old. Even the distinctive boxer motor thrum is relatively inoffensive. Roof rack crossbar & tire noise common to trail purposed SAV's honestly isn't that obtrusive on the latest Forester Wilderness.

• -1 Idle start/ stop jostling more noticeable with the more hushed cabin.

Complete independence at each wheel benefits from stiffer bushings. Less flustered by rippled roads than its SK predecessor, the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness improves on settled composure. Electric assisted steering nearly reacts slightly exaggerated to low effort inputs. Only some languid pedal response diminishes tidy slowing by the brake rotors at the corners.

HOW FAR: 24 combined miles per gallon fuel economy; 481 highway miles range

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ 5 Occupant 2+3 seating. 60/40% split flat folding Row 2 seatbacks, seatback mount releases.

• +1 Slim door sills make Subaru Forester Wilderness ingress painless
• Upright seating position, low cowl & tall greenhouse optimize outward peering

- For Comparison's Sake:

• 104.9"-inch Wheelbase: 1.1" > Mazda CX-50 Meridian
• Maximum cargo capacity: 8% < Mazda CX-50 Meridian
• 2nd Row legroom: 1.8" < Mazda CX-50 Meridian
• 9.3" Ground clearance: 0.8" > Mazda CX-50 Meridian
• 3500 lbs. Towing: = Mazda CX-50 Meridian

HOW USEFUL: The adept at fording 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is a hungry cargo holder as well.

√ 60/40% split folding 2nd Row seat backs; √ Cargo-area 12V outlet; √ Power liftgate

Cabin storage = √ Steep angled lower center stack handheld device bin w/ USB port; √ 4 cup, 4 bottle holders (d00r pockets); √ Overhead sunglasses bin

• +1 Tall + wide liftgate cargo load aperture w/ minimal wheel arch intrusion
• +1 Clever cargo bay wall loop bag hooks
• -1 Short door pockets

HOW SAFE: √ 8 airbags; √ IIHS Top Safety Pick; √ Rear camera w/ predictive grid; √ Blind spot, rear cross traffic & lane departure warning; √ Auto parking brake hold; √ LED adaptive swivel headlamps, auto high beams

Advanced Driver Assistance:

EYESIGHT^TM suite STANDARD on all models = √ Pedestrian detection braking; √ Forward collision avoidance braking & emergency steering; √ Lane Departure warning & keep assist; √ Adaptive Cruise Control; √ Lead vehicle start alert; √ Trailer stability assist; √ Automatic High beam LED headlamps.

Included with Wilderness (optional on lesser): ♦ Blind Spot detection; ♦ Rear cross traffic warning; ♦ Lane Change Assist; ♦ Steering adaptive LED headlamps

• Additional mono camera assists with cross-path object identification
• +1 Accurate lane tracking, above-head console system activation / de-activation switches
• -1 Slow to resume speed adaptive cruise control

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: The SL sixth iteration Subaru Forester cabin follows the mold of the latest Subaru Impreza. Blued grey tiered dash, door and armrest soft padding blend with darker hard panels. Metallic bound gloss black is strictly reserved to the center portrait media and center console transmission shifter frames. Forester Wilderness models reprise copper color accents, while front bucket headrests are mountain ridge embossed.

The available 12.3" LCD panoramic variable color instrument cluster, fully immerses the 2026 Subaru Forester into the 21st century. However, the portrait oriented touch media screen is carried over with too many basic climate functions blended within. Panel fit is more even than in the past, but there is still coarseness to the sheen. As a concession to modernity and space saving, the traditional center console hand parking brake finally loses out to a toggle style switch.

√ 12.3" inch LCD instrument cluster + map projection; √ StarTex water repellent leatherette seats; √ Heated, power adjust 10-way driver (optional), 4-way manual passenger seats; √ 4 power windows x full express; √ Auto climate control - 2 zone; √ Leather tilt + telescoping steering; √ 2nd Row and aft dark tint privacy glass; √ Manual tilt & telescoping steering wheel; √ Damped glove box door; √ Panoramic power moon-roof (optional)

• +1: Front seats no longer rock, being welded directly to floor.

Cool Gizmo(s): √ 11.6" inch center stack portrait Starlink touch infotainment display

Details Done Right: √ Light + dark gray, dimpled vinyl seating; √ Dimple relief upper dashboard; √ Brushed matte metallic accent panels; √ Flush door and center console toggle switchgear; √ Dark mesh headliner

FORESTER WILDERNESS cabin unique:

- Copper framed "WILDERNESS" mountain ridge seat & door card tags, floormats

- Copper contrast seat and cabin panel stitching

- "WILDERNESS" above mountain ridge embossed 1st Row headrests

- Copper accented steering wheel vertical spoke & drive shifter lever

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Hard plastic instrument cluster hood, forward door armrests, Hard door pocket linings; Hard plastic cabin pillars; No rocker panel covers; Hard instrument cluster binnacle hood; Thin cargo bay carpet

HOW CONNECTED: √ 11.6" Starlink Multimedia Plus portrait oriented, upper mid dash embedded, touch LCD infotainment screen w/ OTA updates; √ Rotary audio volume dial, selection, defroster & Home screen switches; √ Bluetooth, hands-free communications; √ SMS messaging; √ Starlink Apps; √ USB-A x 2, USB-C x 2, 12V x 2; √ Mobile device near field communications (NFC); √ Qi inductive charging pad

• +1 Crisp color graphics; Fingerprints resistant
• -1 Sun glare capturing media display

Audibly: √ 11 speaker, 576 watt Harman Kardon w Clari-Fi DSP and GreenEdge (optional) = emphatic cabin fill, low frequency punch minus distortion, crystalline treble

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: (mobile powered)

• MySubaru Apps: √ TomTom What3Words native GPS OTA navigation (optional); √ wireless Android Auto + Apple CarPlay; √ All-Wheel drive + Off-road status & diagnostics
• Gone are classic Starlink Apps, such as Chimani, E-Bird, Eve Connect

By Subscription: √ SiriusXM (90 days trial); √ Sirius TravelLink apps (4 months included); √ MySubaru Connected Services (replaces Starlink): Companion telematics (5 years trial), Companion Plus remote access (6 months trial), Concierge & Wi-Fi (30 days / 3GB trial through AT&T).

HOW MUCH: $42,035 = as tested 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness 2.5L AWD suggested retail price

WHAT'S MISSING: Less hyperactive lane departure warning; Better fitting front seats; Better fuel economy ^{(Fault A/T tires, shorter final drive)}

ANY COMPETITION: Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend AWD: +1 roomier cabin, more cargo space, locking center differential; Mazda CX-50 Meridian AWD: +1 steering heft & accuracy, orthopedists seats, prestige materials.