We Tested the All-New 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness to See if it’s an Ideal AWD Overlander

The sixth-generation Subaru Forester debuted some time ago, but a new 2026 Forester Wilderness has now been added to its lineup.

For nearly 30 years, the Forester has shuttled people, pets, and cargo all over the place, traversing every type of terrain. So, will the off-road-centric 2026 Forester Wilderness (FW) continue as a new AWD adventure machine?

I tested the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid in San Francisco some months ago, and if that’s any indication of the Forester’s capability and comfort as a whole, I say you’d have a winner on your hands with the new adventure-focused Forester Wilderness.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Off-Road Features

The former generation Subaru Forester Wilderness was built on the standard Forester platform with Wilderness-centric add-ons. However, nearly half of Wilderness owners use their vehicle off-pavement so the 2026 version is built from the ground up with off-pavement activities in mind.

The new FW is powered by an updated 2.5-liter Boxer engine generating 180 HP and 178 lb. ft. of torque. It also has an upgraded transmission cooler and makes more power at lower RPMs for added responsiveness vs. the previous generation.

The CVT has a manual mode, paddle shifters, and a shorter final drive ratio for better lower speed capability when driving off-road, especially when coupled with Subaru’s X-MODE in Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud modes.

This new Subaru also showcases a standard 180-degree front view camera; however, it doesn’t show a bird’s eye view of the vehicle, nor side views of the fenders like the new Honda Passport TrailSport’s TrailWatch camera system.

Note: Subaru’s front camera system debuted in the 2022 Outback Wilderness, but the 2022 Forester Wilderness had it as well. Subaru didn’t divulge if they plan to follow suit with new or added front camera angles.

The FW also includes many other off-road accoutrements, like a Wilderness-tuned suspension, an upgraded rear differential, and a rear differential temperature sensor.

Ample Ground Clearance, Improved Off-Road Angles, and Other Notables

Subaru’s new Forester Wilderness boasts better ground clearance at 9.3” (vs. 9.2” of its predecessor), much more than other AWD adventure-minded vehicles, like the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport at 8.2”.

The new 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness has improved approach (23.5 degrees vs. 19 degrees), departure (25.5 degrees vs. 24.6 degrees), and breakover (21 degrees vs.19.6 degrees) angles.

The FW also showcases a 3,500-pound towing capacity (up from 3,000 lbs.), the most Subaru has ever offered on a Forester SUV. Same as the last iteration, the new FW rolls on Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, but wider at 235mm vs. 225mm.

The 2026 FW also comes with a full-size spare, but that remains at 225mm. Lastly, this year’s FW features an increased roof-rail load capacity of 800 pounds, up from 700, perfect for a rooftop tent or hauling cargo.

Subaru’s SI-DRIVE Engine Performance Management

Subaru’s SI-DRIVE system stands for Subaru Intelligent Drive. It’s a specific number of pre-set drive modes to enhance different driving experiences.

This year’s FW includes Intelligent (I) Mode for increased fuel economy and Sport Sharp (S#) Mode for when you need faster throttle responses for a boost of power. This button is located on the steering wheel. 

Interior Bits and Safety

Subaru still retains its easy-to-clean StarTex seat upholstery, but it boasts a new texture as part of its animal-free interior. The 2026 FW also includes a redesigned center console allowing for more storage (up 1.1 liters from previous generation).

This vehicle also joined other manufacturers by including storage for smartphones and larger cupholders, with the rear having enough space for a 32-ounce Nalgene bottle.

The automaker supplies all-weather floor mats and a rear cargo mat, plus water-resistant rear seatback coverings—great for hauling dirty or muddy gear.

The 2026 FW also comes with an all-weather package which features heated front seats and steering wheel, as well as a windshield wiper de-icer area.

All Foresters come with the latest version of EyeSight which has an abundance of driver-assisted safety features, like Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Blind-Spot Detection, Automatic Emergency Steering, and Emergency Lane Keep Assist. This system works in a bigger range of conditions, has updated software, and adds an electric brake booster.

My River Rock Pearl Tester

I tested a 2026 Forester Wilderness in the River Rock Pearl hue. This paint color was previously showcased on the Forester Hybrid but is offered as part of the Forester Wilderness color selection as of this year. It’s a modern opaque gray and may become just as popular alongside the Wilderness Geyser Blue.

My tester had an options package with upgrades including: an 11.6-inch infotainment system with Tom Tom navigation, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon system with 576-watt equivalent amp, a new 12.3-inch digital driver’s gauge cluster, and power rear lift gate.

These add-ons come with a $2,200 price tag. While we didn’t use the vehicle’s navigation during our testing, there are some physical buttons and knobs for the infotainment and HVAC systems, but the majority of its usage still is via a touchscreen.

The 2026 Forester Wilderness has a starting MSRP of $38,385. But if you opt for the River Rock Pearl, it’ll set you back another $395. Add to that the other optional packages, and you can mix and match your way to adventuring fun for an extra cost.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Impressions

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is a welcomed addition to the adventure-ready Wilderness lineup. It took its previous-gen enhancements on the regular Forester platform and dedicated them to an all-new vehicle.

The FW rides and drives similarly to the Crosstrek Wilderness and has a similar footprint though has a taller interior and more cargo capacity.

FW gives you a comfortable and easy-to-clean interior, with an intuitive cockpit. The rear has a cargo cover although it was a pull handle with a center opening. This is great to grab it and pull it back, although it gives prying eyes several inches of cargo-viewing opportunity.

The exterior is everything Wilderness, with its unique bronze accents, oversized body cladding, and hexagonal LED fog lights. The front end has a lot of layered black plastic, especially adorning a large front grille.

Additionally, the silver front fascia has two wide, large, upturned slabs on either front corner. Without proper underbody protection, their undersides could become scuffed up after a thorough day of adventuring off pavement.

The rear includes a thin taillight brow but a thick SUBARU-embossed black-and-silver plastic rear bumper accented with bronze accents. Similar to other manufacturers with massive automaker or model names imprinted on the rear, the 2026 Forester Wilderness is undeniably—a Subaru.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is fun and easy to drive, especially when using manual mode and paddle shifters. Subaru has included a variety of on- and off-road driving modes to enhance driver experiences.

I tested this vehicle on gravel roads, rutted trails, and rocky terrain around the base of Mount Adams in Washington using X-MODE’s Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes.

I also drove our River Rock Pearl vehicle on paved country roads and the interstate in Oregon. A day in the dirt is always a good day, especially if it’s with a Subaru Wilderness vehicle.

This new Forester Wilderness will most certainly find its way into the homes of many outdoor-minded families. It’s spacious, capable, and comfortable—important traits when looking for a competent AWD overlander.

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