Subaru is no stranger to offering a more off-road version of its vehicles, and the all-new 2026 Forester Wilderness is no different. However, Subaru has brought even more prowess and ability to the Wilderness name.
What Powers the Forester Wilderness and What Makes It Unique
Powering the Forester Wilderness is a 2.5-liter flat 4-cylinder that produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, which works perfectly with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Ground clearance increases from 8.7 inches on standard models to 9.3 inches, courtesy of a tweaked suspension system and all-terrain Yokohama tires that feature a taller sidewall. The front and rear bumpers have been designed to decrease the overhang, so you’re not roughing them up as much going up and down trails. LED fog lights provide additional lighting when driving off-road and in foggy conditions.
Added Features for Active Owners
For owners who are looking to use their Forester to go camping, the Wilderness model has a raised roof rack with an 800-lb static load capacity that makes it the perfect vehicle for roof tents, especially if you’re going to add a rack to the rear of the vehicle that will hold tires, bikes, gas, or other accessories. Subaru also increased the towing capacity to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped.
How Does the Forester Wilderness Handle Normal Driving?
In Edmunds.com’s review, author Reese Counts talked about driving from Portland, Oregon, and driving into Washington state, saying, “On city streets, the Forester Wilderness is comfortable, with slightly more compliance in the suspension than the regular Forester. The standard model's ride is a bit busy and firm; the Wilderness's smaller 17-inch wheels and taller tires help absorb bumps better.”
Starting Price and Optional Extras
The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness starts from $39,835 and takes the Forester up a few notches for those who are serious about living outdoors as much as they like sleeping indoors. The only option available adds a 9-speaker, 576-watt equivalent Harmon Kardon sound system, a power rear liftgate, and a digital instrument cluster that features built-in navigation, supports Apple CarPlay apps, and displays important safety information from the award-winning Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.
How Well Does the Wilderness Handle Dedicated Off-Road Driving
During off-road driving portions, Reese appreciated the new Yokohama tires and the usable X-Mode that allows drivers to best dial in the vehicle settings when driving on different types of terrain, saying, “My drive includes time on off-road trails in the region south of Mount Adams. The terrain here is rockier than I originally expected. The Forester Wilderness comes with a full-size spare tire, but I'm never eager to change a wheel on the side of a trail. Credit to the all-terrain Yokohama Geolander A/T tires — the Forester Wilderness can handle rocky roads with ease ... Change into one of the X-Mode off-road settings, though, and you're on your way. Going downhill, you'll appreciate the Forester's hill descent control. The Wilderness uses a slightly revised all-wheel-drive system compared to the standard Forester.”
Michael Hohl Subaru Has the Best New Subaru Vehicles for You
Thanks to new Forester Wilderness, Forester Hybrid, Outback, Solterra, and Crosstrek Hybrid models, there has never been a better time to look at a brand-new Subaru at Michael Hohl Subaru. The expert sales staff will be able to help you learn about each vehicle and make an intelligent decision on your next Subaru.
Why Choose Michael Hohl Subaru
The new 2026 Subaru models are here, and Michael Hohl Subaru is proud to show them off. At Michael Hohl Subaru, we take pride in ensuring you get the best experience possible. Whether you are looking for a new or used car, our salespeople and finance department will work with you to get the best price possible. When it comes to service your vehicle, our service center will take care of your car as if it were one of their own. And our parts center will take care of all your Subaru accessory needs.
We look forward to working with you.
