2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness returns to lineup

• Ground clearance on the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness grows to 9.3 inches
• The off-road model has a retuned suspension and increased approach and departure angles
• A locking center differential limits slip, and Geolander all-terrain tires increase grip

One model year after the standard Forester’s latest redesign, the more rugged Forester Wilderness will get its own makeover.

Subaru has been selling the previous-generation Forester Wilderness as a 2025 model alongside new versions of the compact crossover that was redesigned for the 2025 model year. The automaker confirmed Thursday at the 2025 Chicago auto show that a redesigned Forester Wilderness will arrive this fall as a 2026 model.

Suspension upgrades include longer coil springs and shock absorbers that increase ground clearance to 9.3 inches—0.1 inch more than the previous Forester Wilderness and 0.6 inch more than the standard Forester. Subaru claims the suspension has been tuned for more stability as well, along with improved approach, departure, and breakover angles of 23.5 degrees, 21 degrees, and 25.5 degrees, respectively.

Most automakers have an off-road trim on volume SUV models but the Wilderness sounds like more than a soft-roader. 

Extra body cladding, anodized copper trim, hexagonal fog lights, and Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch wheels distinguish the Wilderness from less-rugged Forester models. Roof rails with an 800-pound static load capacity are standard as well.

The Wilderness has the same 2.5-liter flat-4 as the base Forester, still rated at 180 hp and 178-lb-ft of torque and still coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive with Subaru’s X-Mode, which adjusts the system’s tuning for different surfaces. A shorter final drive ratio should make low-speed off-road driving easier, while the all-wheel-drive system now locks its center differential and allows for less wheel spin, Subaru claims.

A new transmission cooler also helps increase towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, compared to 3,000 pounds before. Subaru also added a rear differential temperature sensor it claims will come in handy when off-roading.

Inside, the Forester Wilderness gets anodized copper trim to match the exterior, as well as synthetic leather upholstery and an 11.6-inch touchscreen. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with Wilderness-specific graphics is available as well.

Subaru also debuted the 2025 Forester Hybrid at the 2025 Chicago auto show. 

Pricing information for the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness will be revealed closer to its arrival in showrooms this fall.