We recently tested the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback and found it a wonderful vehicle – although we did wonder if the more SUV-like looks would be a turn-off for some. For the 2025 model year, Subie introduced an all-new Forester that kept closer to the previous model’s script, and also added a new hybrid model that we tested and really enjoyed.

What didn’t change was the off-road-focused Wilderness model – Subaru continued selling the previous ’24 model until now. So those of you with soft-roading, trail-driving dreams, rejoice! The all-new 2026 Forester Wilderness now joins the lineup of popular compact SUVs.

Rugged and Ready

For 2026, the Wilderness gets the other ’25 models styling upgrades – plus a slew of goodies that make it stand out in the crowd.

It starts with a bold-looking unique front, with a matte black, anti-glare finish on the hood. Sharing the signature Subaru hexagonal front grille with other Foresters, the Wilderness looks much meaner with vertical slats on the upper grille and a cheese-grater lower grille.

The blacked-out lower fascia continues into the lower bumper and flows into the sleek horizontal compact LED headlights. For a stronger off-road vibe, you get circular projection fog lights, contrasting skid plate trim and anodized copper accents – special visual cues that says Wilderness.

The theme continues in the side view. The Wilderness rides taller in the saddle with a unique suspension that serves up 9.3 inches of ground clearance, while blacked-out 17-inch wheels with raised white letter Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires giving a beefy look. Those going off-road will appreciate higher approach and departure angles as well.

A chunky lower door panel with “Forester” in orange letters catches the eye, as well as Wilderness badges on the front fender and anodized copper accents on the roof rack. The raised ladder-type roof rails deserve special mention for their 800-lb. static load rating – ready for your Overlander type adventure. Add blacked-out window and mirror trim and fender liners and you have one studly-looking Subie!

Like the front, the rear picks up on the ‘25 Forester design with slender LED taillights with a horizontal bar connects to the familiar Subaru Pleiades star badge. Like the front, the blacked-out bumpers reach up to the taillights, and a black bumper and fascia create a chunky, capable look. A lower metallic-tone skid plate trim, and additional anodized copper-finish accents, along with another handsome Wilderness badge leave no doubt that you’re looking at Subaru’s most focused off-road Forester.

The finishing touch was our tester’s gorgeous River Rock Pearl paint. A creamy cement gray, it helped all the black trim stand out and shows off the great lines. It’s no wonder so many people stopped and asked us about the Wilderness – much more than the Forester Hybrid we tested last year – the bold, outdoorsy vibe (and cool color) has tremendous appeal! A total of 6 Wilderness colors are sure to please your palate. Along with the traditional Subaru Geyser Blue, the Autumn Green Metallic really caught our eye.

Spacious and Capable

Inside, the Wilderness enjoys the upgrades other Forester models enjoyed for 2025 model year, including more supportive front seats. Wilderness models get their own vibe with water-resistant Star Tex (faux leather) surfaces and copper-color stitching on the seats, center console and fat leather-wrapped wheel. Additional copper-tone accents and cool patterned design in the trim help you know you’re in something special.

For that extra outdoorsy goodness, the Wilderness logo is embossed on the front headrests and all-weather mats, while a special durable-looking cargo tray in back helps keep things clean when gear gets muddy.

Rear seat room is adult friendly, and surprisingly spacious. With one of the largest cargo holds in its class, you also have plenty of space with the rear seats up or folded down.

The driver will find the Subaru familiar with previous models, with squared-off upright design, a large vertical tablet in the center of the dash and logically laid-out controls.

Our tester got a nice little bump with the Options Package that includes a full digital gauge cluster, that surprise! looks like super crisp analog gauges, but it does give a modern feel.

We love those gauges, but we’re not so thrilled with the info-tainment system. Yes, the 11.6-inch vertical touch screen is big and bright, but like previous Subie models we’ve tested, it’s sluggish, and at times, tests your patience. We wish it had the new info-tainment system we loved in the Outback we tested – hopefully it will, soon.

The tablet style display is an all-inclusive system that includes combination meter, and controls for audio, climate and other vehicle functions. A dedicated section at the bottom of the screen puts all the climate controls within easy reach, no hunting required.

We also appreciate that Subie still gives you traditional knobs for both volume and tuning. And we did find ourselves turning up the volume, thanks to the excellent-sounding optional 576-watt, 11-speaker, Harman Kardon speaker system.  

Let’s Hit the Trail!

The Wilderness lives up to the promise of great outdoors with some tasteful running gear improvements. With Subaru estimating over 40% of Wilderness buyers planning to do some sort of off-pavement activities, it’s much more than just an appearance package!

Power comes from the familiar 2.5-liter, “boxer” flat-four engine, serving up 180 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm. While the numbers are unchanged, the torque comes in a little lower in the rpm range, which should help acceleration around town. With a 28-mpg highway EPA rating, we found the Wilderness to be efficient, too, although if you’re really chasing MPG, the hybrid model (not currently offered in Wilderness trim) would be your ticket.

We found that by putting the Forester into Sport # mode, we got sharper throttle response, and the Wilderness felt more willing and spritelier. It’s not fast – that’s not this Subie’s thing. Instead, it has that un-burstable, solid capable Subaru vibe that makes you feel this little SUV will last a long time.

Subaru also tweaked the suspension on the new Wilderness and combined with the slightly taller ground clearance and A/T tires, you enjoy an impressively supple ride – you just glide around feeling pretty much impervious to speed bumps, dips and less-than-ideal roads.

The Wilderness also now enjoys added capability when the going gets rough with a center differential that can lock up more quickly and account for steering data for enhanced stability – an upgrade all other models got for ’25.  And when you’re seriously scrabbling for traction, you can also activate X-Mode, which has settings for snow/dirt and deep snow/mud. X-Mode also activates Hill Descent Control and Low Speed/Low Ratio Gradient Control. All in all, this should make the rugged Forester seriously capable and surprisingly adept off road.

Not everyone goes off road, but we all have to deal with the urban jungle, so it’s comforting to have Subaru’s excellent EyeSight Driver Assist suite on board, with Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic Emergency Steering, Emergency Lane Keep Assist and Reverse Automatic Braking. We also found the Adaptive Cruise Control with full stop and go and lane centering to work exceptionally well and made rush hour commutes much less demanding.

Can I afford to go Wild?

Yes! In fact, the entire Forester line up offers strong value.

The line-up starts with a base model at $29,995. For a spacious, capable, 4WD small SUV with plenty of safety tech and rugged looks, that’s a bargain. Our Wilderness model is mid-level in the line, and the extra goodness starts at $38,385. Add in $395 for that gorgeous River Rock Pearl Paint, $2,200 for the Options Package that includes upgraded Multimedia system with Navi, Harman Kardon audio digital dash and more, and $1,450 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $42,430.

We’d also look at the all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland, comparably priced at $42,200 it comes with a standard hybrid powertrain so it’s faster and more efficient, but there’s a certain Subie-ness and a rugged vibe the RAV4 can’t match. We also like the Mazda CX-50, and it’s a stylish, fun-to-drive choice, but lacks the off-road vibes. Still at $35,240 comparably equipped, it’s a great value. Worth a test drive!

Rugged looks, added capability and a huge serving of Subie goodness, the all-new 2026 SubaruForester Wilderness is a top pick in compact SUVs!