SUBARU DEBUTS NEW 2026 FORESTER WILDERNESS SUV WITH INCREASED CAPABILITY, TRAIL-READY PERFORMANCE AND REFINEMENTS

• Most rugged and capable Forester returns with uprated capability
• Legendary Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• 9.3 inches of ground clearance
• Upgraded suspension and all-terrain tires
• Advanced X-MODE® for off-road performance
• Unique interior and exterior styling
• Arrives fall 2025

CAMDEN, N.J., Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. announced today its next generation of its most capable and rugged Forester: the new 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness. The newest addition to the Subaru Wilderness family features 9.3 inches of ground clearance -- more than its predecessor -- with go-anywhere capability paired with a refined interior and improved on- and off-road driving performance. The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness will arrive at retailers nationwide in fall 2025.

Powered by a standard 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine, X-MODE® Dual Mode System, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, all-terrain tires, upgraded suspension, and uprated cooling, the new Subaru Forester Wilderness is ready for adventure-seekers when the pavement ends.

In addition to mechanical upgrades, the new 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness features the latest version of Subaru's award-winning EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, a tablet-style 11.6-inch Subaru Multimedia system with integrated center information display, and an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with navigation and Apple Maps integration.

Performance and Capability

Thanks to longer coil springs and shock absorbers, the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness features 9.3 inches of ground clearance (up from 9.2 inches for 2025 versions). The suspension has been tuned for improved stability and comfort on- and off-road. Like the new, sixth-generation Subaru Forester, the new Forester Wilderness uses a revised 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine that makes 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque available at a lower RPM for responsiveness.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness uses a revised Lineartronic® Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with a shorter final drive ratio for better low-speed off-roadability paired with advanced X-MODE® Dual Mode with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes for added confidence. A revised Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, shared with the new Forester, offers faster center differential lockup and reduced wheelspin when off-roading, and incorporates steering angle data for better stability at turn-in and cornering on higher-speed roads.

Larger, all-terrain Yokohama Geolandar® tires are mounted on Wilderness-exclusive 17-inch anthracite wheels for better performance on muddy or gravel roads. An uprated transmission cooler offers up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity on the new 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, and a rear differential temperature sensor offers more confidence on the trails.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness also offers improved approach, departure, and breakover angles, compared to the rest of the sixth-generation Forester lineup. The approach angle has been extended to 23.5 degrees compared to 19 degrees; ramp breakover improves up to 21 degrees compared to 19.6 degrees; and the departure angle edges up to 25.5 degrees compared to 24.6 degrees.

Exclusive Features

To visually communicate the enhanced performance of the new 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, the SUV adds signature styling elements and performance upgrades inside and out. The Forester Wilderness includes standard roof rails with an 800-pound static load capacity rating (176 pounds dynamic), LED hexagonal fog lights, underbody protection, and expanded anodized copper-finish exterior accents, including front and rear bumper tow hook covers.

Inside, the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is equipped with animal-free interior seating surfaces via water-resistant and easily cleanable StarTex® upholstery. Anodized copper-finish interior accents are exclusive to the Forester Wilderness trim and, for the first time ever, an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with Wilderness-exclusive graphics is available.

Convenience and Safety

The Subaru Global Platform underpinning the new 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness has been enhanced with 10% stiffer torsional rigidity thanks to a new full inner frame construction with stronger welding techniques and additional structural adhesive (from approximately 26.2 feet to 88.5 feet) for better rigidity. The updates delivery improved dynamic performance and a smoother ride and quieter cabin.

Inside, the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness offers standard 60/40-split folding rear seats that open up to 69.1 cubic feet of useable cargo space. With the rear seats upright, the Forester Wilderness comfortably seats up to five people with 39.4 inches of rear seat legroom.

The Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system is standard in the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness. The 11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ with full-screen display. The multimedia system also works as a center information display with combination meter integration and on-screen controls for audio, climate and vehicle functions. Additional features include Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; AM/FM stereo; rear vision camera; SiriusXM® All-Access Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link® (4-month free Platinum Plan); HD Radio®; and over-the-air updates.

Pricing and detailed specifications will be available closer to market launch in fall 2025. For more information, please visit the Subaru Media Center.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

Dominick Infante
Director, Corporate Communications
856.488.8615
[email protected]

Aaron Cole
Product Communications Manager
720.231.0809
[email protected]

Miranda Jimenez
Product Communications Specialist
949.394.3460
[email protected]

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.