​​Subaru Announces 2026 Forester Wilderness Details​

The Forester model launched its sixth generation in the summer of 2024 as an early 2025 model. Along with revised styling, the new design brought the 11.6-inch touchscreen to all but the base trim, 10% greater rigidity, and other updates. With the main Forester update behind them, Subaru is focusing on two variants of the Forester model line for the 2026 model year. One is the 2026 Forester Hybrid model discussed in another blog post. The other, Ewing Subaru of Plano is pleased to announce, is an updated Wilderness model to accompany the recently updated model line. 

The 2026 Forester Wilderness will be the most rugged and capable Forester to date. Built from the latest-generation model, it benefits from 10% greater rigidity, includes the 11.6-inch center touchscreen as standard, and receives the latest version of the Subaru EyeSight safety and driver assistance technology. Of course, the Subaru Symmetrical All-wheel Drive system is standard, complete with the X-MODE Dual Mode system featuring Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. 

A major change for the 2026 Wilderness model is that it has been fitted with longer coil springs and shock absorbers, raising the ground clearance slightly from 9.2 to 9.3 inches. Yokohama Geolander tires are mounted on the Wilderness-exclusive 17-inch anthracite wheels for improved ability on muddy and gravel surfaces. These updates also help improve the Wilderness’s off-road geometry. The approach angle increases from 19.0 to 23.5 degrees, the breakover angle increases from 19.6 to 21.0 degrees, and the departure angle increases from 24.6 to 25.5 degrees. 

The 2026 Forester Wilderness uses the same 2.5-liter boxer engine as the rest of the Forester line, with 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. However, the Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has been revised to provide a shorter final driver ratio for improved low-speed off-roadability. Another enhancement is a more effective transmission cooler that enables the Forester Wilderness to tow up to 3,500 pounds; that’s 500 pounds more than the previous model.  

If you prefer to carry your load on the roof, the Wilderness comes standard with roof rails capable of handling 176 pounds for the road and 800 pounds when still (think roof-top tent).  

Like Crosstrek and Outback Wilderness models, the Forester Wilderness exterior features front and rear tow hooks, anodized copper-finish exterior accents, and continues with its unique hexagon-shaped LED fog lights. The Wilderness cabin features easy-to-clean animal-free StarTex® seating surfaces and an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with Wilderness-exclusive graphics. 

 The 2026 Forester Wilderness is expected to arrive in the Fall of 2025, with detailed pricing, specifications, and features information available shortly before that time. With one of the largest Subaru inventories, Ewing Subaru of Plano will stock the model quickly when it becomes available. Contact one of our Ewing Subaru of Plano sales professionals to be informed when the first models arrive.