2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness: Review, Prices, and Specs | The Daily Drive

Text by Tom Appel

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness

Specs

Class: Compact Crossover

Country of Manufacture: U.S.

Miles driven: 113

Observed fuel economy: 22.9 mpg

Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 24/28/26 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel type: Regular gas

Base price: $38,385 (not including $1450 (destination charge)

Options on test vehicle:  Option Package ($2200)

Price as tested: $42,035

Audio-System Brand

Harman Kardon

Audio-System Quality

Poor  Fair  Good Very-Good  Excellent

Pros and Cons

The great: Roomy, comfortable, fun to drive

The good: Excellent outward visibility, promise of off-road adventure

The not so good: Disappointing fuel economy

Review

I’m a bad journalist. Or, perhaps more accurately, I am a journalist with a bad memory. Here’s the deal: I always remember liking the Forester, but I never recall quite why. Subaru’s deservedly popular compact crossover has earned a fine reputation for satisfying the needs of singles, small families, and empty nesters, but how it does so isn’t entirely obvious. In the case of the Wilderness, there are several things—little things—that are worth noting—things that, considered in toto, combine to form vehicle that is so much more than the sum of its parts.

Forester was last redesigned for the 2025 model year,  though the previous generation Wilderness carried on until this year. For 2026 the Wilderness is now up to date, featuring the same tweaks and upgrades as the rest of the Forester lineup.

Special Wilderness equipment

What makes a Wilderness a Wilderness? Let’s have a look:

• Ground clearance increase of .6 inches (to 9.3 inches)
• All-terrain wheels and tires
• Unique off-road drive-mode settings
• Towing capacity of 3500 pounds (up from 1500 pounds)
• A mechanically lower final-drive ratio for easier hill climbing
• Front and underbody skid plates
• Reinforced rails (most for roof tents)
• Unique exterior and interior design elements

Forester trim levels

As you might expect, given the equipment upgrades, the Wilderness sits near the top of the Forester trim-level hierarchy, beneath only the full-loaded Touring. Here’s a break down:

• Base: $31,445
• Premium: $33,445
• Sport: $36,245
• Limited: $37,445
• Onyx Edition: $37,945
• Wilderness: $38,445
• Touring: $41,445

Engines

All Foresters, regardless of trim level, are powered by 180-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a CVT-style automatic transmission. And, true to brand, all Foresters come equipped with all-wheel drive.

Test car

Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 Forester Wilderness in Geyser Blue. Including options and destination charge, our test car came to $42,035.

It’s the little things

Today we’d like to take a closer look at what makes the Forester special, especially in Wilderness trim. Below please five cool things about the Forester that we think are overlooked, but contribute to the compact Subaru’s charm and character.

Visibility

We wonder how many Forester owners consciously take note of the open vista made possible by the Forester’s ample glass area and slim side pillars. More than any other vehicle in the compact crossover class, the Forester reminds us much fun it is to look out the windows on a long trim, or when hitting the trail for a little outdoor excursion.

Seating

The Forester generally sits more upright than many other compact crossovers, with a taller, more vertical seating position, including an elevated hip point (H-point, for easy entry and exiting). This gives occupants—including the driver–a commanding, chair-like view of the road rather than a lower, more reclined “car-like” posture common in most rivals.

This cat-bird-seat position enhances outside visibility, and makes it easier for smaller occupants to enjoy the view.

Grunt (especially in  Wilderness trim)

While the Forster’s 2.5-liter “boxer” engine produces only a models amount of horsepower, it does deliver decent low-end muscle, providing snappy takeoffs from a stop. Those charges from low speed are accompanied the Subaru engine’s characteristic growl, which will either annoy drivers, or add to the Forester’s charm. We find the throttle response and corresponding soundtrack fun and satisfying. (Thanks to its unique gearing, the Wilderness enjoys a little extra snap off the line, though the special setup does decrease fuel economy a bit.)

Roomy

Subaru engineers did a fine job of carving passenger space out of the Forester interior. Four adults will enjoy almost lavish accommodations, with plenty of seat top and foot-well space for anything small that might not fit in the cargo area.

 Real foul-weather capability

If you don’t live in the Snow Belt—Consumer Guide is headquartered up here is Chicago—you may forget just how capable the Forester—or any Subaru—is in deep snow. We haven’t driven the new Wilderness over rocks or through mud, but have no doubt the same systems that make winter tolerable up here in The North will handle off-pavement fun with similar prowess.

Note that the Forester Wilderness is not an extreme off-roader, but should handle well-marked, mild-adventure trails with ease.

Value

I feel better finally having fully explored my fondness for the Forester. To borrow a cliché, Subaru’s compact crossover is more than the sum of its parts, and fun to drive for reasons that may not always be obvious. And, if you live in a region of the country that endures cruel winters, you’ll enjoy owning a Subaru even more.

Follow Tom on Twitter

Follow Tom on Bluesky

Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Pictures

(Click below for enlarged images)

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid: First Spin (Review, Prices, and Specs)

Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast Episode 323: Nissan Restructures, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, Canadian Tesla Adventure