From Little Acorns, Mighty Oaks Grow: The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness

The first Subaru Forester, the 1998 model, came to market at the same time that I was beginning my career as an automotive journalist---the fall of 1997. At the time, I wondered if there was a market for the Forester. It seemed...small. Especially compared to the then-flagship Subaru Outback.

I had a lot to learn. I was witnessing the birth of what is now the hottest segment in the automobile industry---the compact SUV. Since its redesign in 2025, the Forester has grown---keeping pace with the rest of the segment. It's two and a half inches shorter than the '98 Outback, but it's 13.7 inches wider than its big brother was, and two inches taller.

Under the hood, a little less horsepower but a bit more torque than the previous generation Forester, along with an emphasis on refinement. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder BOXER engine puts out 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The tranmission is a continually variable unit (CVT) and the EPA fuel economy estimate is 24 mpg city and 28 highway.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness has increased ground clearance of 9.3 inches, and increased approach, breakover and departure angles, as well as a revised Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with quicker center differential lockup and reduced wheelspin, a shorter final-drive ratio in the continuously variable transmission for better low-speed off-road control, wider all-terrain tires and a rear differential temperature sensor.

Subarus have always been the way to go in this class for true off-road ability. It's great to see them adding to their vehicles' excellence in that key area.

A major high point for the Forester is cargo space---30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Fold those and it leaps to 75 cubic feet, best in class.

Rear passengers get a lot of legroom---39.4 inches.

The '25 redesign also brought a new and largely improved interior. Good quality materials, solid fit and finish, but still way too many functions that require interacting with the touchscreen.

The base price of the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is $38,385---$39,835 including destination---and that money buys a very-well equipped vehicle (see the window sticker at the end of the review for standard equipment).

Our tester did have extra-cost options---$395 for the River Rock Pearl paint and $2,200 for an options package comprised of a Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, a power rear liftgate, and a full digital gauge cluster. Bottom line on the window sticker: $42,430.

That price tag is a good eight grand below the average price of a new car today, and the Subaru Forester Wilderness isn't average in any way I can think of. If you're going to drive a compact SUV with all-wheel drive anway, there's a case to be made for one that can conquer most of what nature puts in your path.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness at a glance:

Price: $38,385 base/$42,430 as tested

Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder BOXER

Horsepower: 180

Torque: 178 lb-ft

Transmission: Continously variable

Curb Weight: 3,675 lbs

0-60 Acceleration (manufacturer data): N/A

EPA Fuel Economy Estimate: 24 mpg city/28 highway/26 combined

Fuel tank capacity: 16.6 gallons

EPA Range Estimate: 432 miles

Click in the upper right of the window sticker to expand to full screen.