2026 Subaru
Forester Wilderness
Preview

Subaru is raising the bar for off-road capability in its compact crossover lineup with the completely redesigned 2026 Forester Wilderness. Set to arrive in showrooms in fall 2025, this rugged variant of the new sixth-generation Forester will feature enhanced off-road credentials, a thoroughly updated exterior and interior, and the latest in Subaru's technology and safety systems. Based on recent announcements from Subaru, we've compiled what to expect from the most trail-ready Forester ever offered.

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2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness on trail

Design

The 2026 Forester Wilderness sports a brazen front fascia with a distinctive grille pattern and redesigned headlights, while the lower body will feature Wilderness-exclusive protective cladding. The Forester Wilderness’s mission of ruggedness and capability is supported by 17-inch matte-black alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama all-terrain tires.

Subaru will continue to use copper-finish accents as a signature Wilderness design element, with these highlights expected on the front and rear tow hook covers and various exterior trim pieces. On the functional side, elements will include LED hexagonal fog lights and underbody protection plates. Inside, the cabin should reflect the sixth-generation Forester's overall redesign, with new soft-touch materials throughout. The Wilderness edition will get water-repellent StarTex upholstery instead of traditional cloth or leather. Copper-finish accents will also appear inside.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness roof rack

Powertrain and Performance

The heart of the 2026 Forester Wilderness will likely be a revised version of Subaru's 2.5-liter BOXER four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Subaru has stated that this updated engine delivers peak torque at lower RPM for improved responsiveness.

Power will be routed through a retuned Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) featuring a shorter final drive ratio to improve low-speed crawling capability. The Wilderness will continue to employ Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which has been enhanced to provide faster center differential lockup and reduced wheelspin during off-roading. On the note, the Forester Wilderness will have more ground clearance – 9.3 inches – than the other trims. This, combined with improved approach (23.5 degrees), departure (25.5 degrees), and breakover (21 degrees) angles, will help the vehicle clear obstacles more effectively. At the same time, the suspension features longer coil springs and specially tuned shock absorbers for better stability and comfort on rough terrain.

Subaru's dual-function X-MODE system returns with specific settings for snow/dirt and deep snow/mud conditions, allowing drivers to optimize traction as conditions require. An upgraded transmission cooler will allow a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The automaker also plans to include a rear differential temperature sensor for additional confidence during challenging trail sections.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness with roof tent

Technology, Features & Safety

The 2026 Forester Wilderness will come standard with Subaru's new 11.6-inch tablet-style system with wireless smartphone connection (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay). This high-resolution touchscreen will also serve as a center information display with integrated controls for audio, climate, and other vehicle functions.

For the first time, the Forester Wilderness will offer an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with Wilderness-exclusive graphics. Other tech features should include wireless device charging and over-the-air update capability to keep the vehicle's systems current. The enhanced roof rails will support up to 800 pounds when the car is stationary, making it ideal for rooftop tents, and up to 176 pounds when the vehicle is in motion.

The latest generation of Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology will come standard, offering improved performance in a wider range of conditions. While Subaru hasn't yet released the full details of the safety suite, we expect it to include advanced features such as pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and enhanced driver monitoring systems.

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