Why The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness—Refined and Redesigned—Might Finally Replace My 2011
The Subaru Wilderness lineup was always meant to represent strength, utility, and accessibility. The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is all that and more, with key upgrades.
When the Subaru Forester Wilderness debuted in 2022, Subaru enthusiasts everywhere rejoiced. Finally, customers can buy a Forester with a factory lift, underbody protection, and a reinforced roof with stronger rails (sans crossbars, though), all while speaking the same design language as the larger, more expensive Outback Wilderness.
What made the Forester Wilderness more attractive to off-road enthusiasts was the price–it ranged from $32,820 to $33,945, depending on the add-ons and packages you went with. For 2026, there’s a price increase to $38,835, but you get a whole lot more. There’s no turbo like the Outback, but 180 horsepower from the company’s tired and true 2.5-liter Boxer engine was more than enough.
This time around, things like the sound dampening, towing capacity (thanks to CVT upgrades), improvements to the AWD system, and updated approach and departure angles make it the most capable Forester yet. All these important changes help explain why I just might replace my 2011 Forester with one of these bad boys.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. I was a guest of Subaru’s, but all impressions and opinions are my own.
The Once-Loud Subaru Forester Wilderness Has a Much Quieter Ride
As the owner of a 2011 Subaru Forester, I can confirm that Subaru’s past reputation of translating road noise into the cabin is there for a reason. In fact, after having reviewed nearly 40 new cars with my toddlers and then driving them in my Forester, the first thing my three-year-old said was, “Mommy, this car is too loud!”
That’s not the case for the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness. Bill Stokes, the Car Line Planning Manager for the Forester, made it a point to talk about improved sound deadening in the front floors and by the firewall to help absorb more noise from the engine and front tires. The previous generation was noticeably loud because of the all-terrain tires, but the new generation is incredibly quiet. There were plenty of times I forgot I was driving a Subaru.
Because I already like the size, cargo space, and all-wheel drive capabilities of the Forester (even in my old 2011), going from a 14-year-old Forester to a 2026 Wilderness model would be an incredibly easy, comfortable, and now much quieter transition. Maybe then my toddler would stop bullying me about how loud my car is.
The New Wilderness is Better Prepared for the Wild
The Wilderness badge comes with a few promises, regardless of the model wearing it: a factory lift (in the Forester’s case, that means an increase from 8.6 inches to 9.3), all-terrain Yokohama tires, underbody protection, a matte black decal on the hood to reduce glare, Subaru’s StarTex water repellent upholstery, and all-weather cargo mats. It also means bronze accents on the inside and outside, rugged exterior cladding, a reinforced roof, and improved roof rails.
The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness comes with all that still, but the key upgrades aren’t necessarily visible. Stokes explained to me that the CVT has been updated to have a shorter final-drive ratio to provide more torque at lower speeds, which, when used in tandem with Subaru’s X-MODE, makes it better at handling tougher scenarios off-road. Snow, dirt, and mud bore the new Wilderness–and I witnessed that firsthand, driving it through the PNW’s washed-out Forest Service roads. There’s also an added temp sensor for the rear differential, too, so you’d be alerted if it got too hot and needed to cool off.
The AWD System is Still the Star of the Show, Though
The AWD has been updated, too, in the form of an updated electronic sensor in the center differential that speeds up the lock-up, providing more grip and capability off-road. The factory tire size has been updated too, going from 235 mm tire instead of 225 mm, which increases the tire’s footprint to make it easier to maintain and regain traction if it’s ever lost. The approach, breakover, and departure angles have been improved, too, making it more capable on tougher trails.
Off-road, conquering trails was as simple as toggling X-MODE and letting the Forester handle the rest. The visibility in Subarus has always been a favorite feature of mine, and it was nice to see that it was still part of the equation for the 2026 Wilderness.
The high ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and the trail cameras that turn on when X-MODE is activated made it so easy to tackle the service roads, a monkey could drive it. I’ve driven on trails that would make some 4WD SUVs or trucks squirm in my old Forester, so since I already know how capable the Forester is, the new Wilderness is a no-brainer for us as an off-road family.
Improvements to the CVT Mean a Higher Towing Rating, Too
Subarus have never been known for towing high amounts, and the Forester is no exception. The previous generation had a rating of 3,000 lbs, and now the shorter final drive and an added transmission cooler bring the rating up to 3,500 lbs, the highest towing rating ever seen on a Subaru Forester.
That’s not a crazy high amount, but it’s perfect for bike racks, hitch cargo carriers, pop-up trailers, kayak trailers, and more. Bringing the towing rating up means the Forester is capable of hauling more to more remote places, without being as pricey as the Outback Wilderness. My 2011 can only tow 2,400 lbs if it’s a braked trailer, which isn’t great. So, a higher towing rating on a platform I’m familiar with and adore is an easy decision to make.
Of Course, the Redesign Fits Perfectly With the Wilderness Look
I was one of many who thought the redesign looked a bit too much like a blend between a Toyota RAV4 and a Ford Escape. But the more I saw it (and especially after reviewing the Forester Hybrid), the more the redesign grew on me. When it’s applied to the Wilderness look, I like it even more. It’s a perfect blend of premium-looking lines and curves, and with the Wilderness cladding and hood decal, it makes it look a lot more expensive than it is.
My 2011 Forester is one of my favorite designs for the little but mighty SUV, but I am incredibly partial to the 2026 redesign over any of the model years after 2011. So, replacing my old girl with the new one would truly be an upgrade–especially with all the off-road goodies, improved mileage (I averaged 25 mpg during my time with the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, even when off-roading), and now, improved styling.
The Price-to-Feature Ratio is Damn Near Perfect
I’ve felt this way about all three Wilderness models, and while all Subarus (except for the BRZ) are off-road ready. However, when a Wilderness badge is put on the Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek, there are actual upgrades that improve on what was already there. Most of the competition for the Wilderness models, like the Honda CR-V TrailSport, Hyundai Tucson XRT, or the Ford Bronco Sport, don’t have the bragging rights of a factory lift, underbody protection, increased roof payload capacity, or all-terrain tires from the factory like the Wilderness models do.
In fact, most of the “off-road-ready” AWD SUVs the Forester Wilderness competes against are appearance packages rather than actual upgrades to the car. Very few can say they’ve upgraded anything other than tires or added “off-road software” like a terrain selection mode, a trail mode. Most just have water repellent seating or updated badging with blacked-out badges, door handles, and mirrors.
The other factor is the price. The Forester Wilderness starts at $38,385, which is less than its competitors. The Honda CR-V TrailSport starts at $38,800 MSRP and can go up to $43,700 with add-ons and packages. The Hyundai Tucson XRT is less expensive, with a max price of $33,015, but there are no improvements to the roof, drivetrain, powertrain, or tire choice. The XRT package simply means black exterior accents, XRT badging on the inside, and an all-black interior with cloth seats. That’s it.
The Ford Bronco Sport doesn’t come with any off-road updates either, save for a 4WD system that comes with a terrain mode selector (called “GOAT”). No lift, no all-terrain tires, no underbody protection, and no updates to the towing capacity, roof payload capacity, transmission, or suspension.
Obviously, the Forester Wilderness’s Interior Is Very Tech-Forward Compared to My 2011
My 2011 didn’t come with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless Android Auto, or a digital gauge cluster behind the steering wheel. I had to add an aftermarket headunit, amplifier, subwoofer, and speakers to achieve the same sound quality of the optional Harmon Kardon sound system, and for 2026, the digital gauge cluster can relay Apple Maps or TomTom navigational instructions–us Android users are taking a moment of silence, as Google Maps isn’t supported on the gauge cluster.
My old Forester also doesn’t have the blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking in the front and rear that come with the tri-camera EyeSight system. It also doesn’t have adaptive cruise control, driver focus assistance, or off-road cameras like the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness has, either.
And, it doesn’t have a CVT–it has a four-speed traditional automatic transmission, so the mileage isn’t anywhere near as good. Upgrading to a 2026 would mean maintaining everything I love about my old Subaru, but with the technological and safety upgrades of the new model year. My daughters would be safer, too, since the 2026 Subaru Forester is already a Top Safety Pick.
Is There Anything Making Me Hesitant to Upgrade to the 2026 Model?
No, not really. I’m lucky enough to have married a Subaru Certified Master Technician, and he’s given me the green light as far as the engine and the all-wheel drive system are concerned. The only thing he’s ever been a bit put off by is the CVT. However, when I told him that it’s been updated to have a shorter final drive, he remarked that it was a step in a better direction for the TR580 CVT.
Other than that, the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness retains everything I love about my 2011: excellent visibility all around, a mechanical and rugged all-wheel drive system, plenty of cargo space, a high rooftop payload capacity for my rooftop tent, a stellar safety rating from both the NHTSA and the IIHS, and a friendly price tag. When it hits dealerships later this year, I’ll have to do some serious number crunching, especially after I’m able to review one when they hit the press fleets.
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