Subaru’s Forester is back with the Wilderness treatment the brand is known for. There’s extra ground clearance, an off-road tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, upgraded cooling, and of course, Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel drive.
In this in-depth review, Tom Voelk tests the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness both on road and off pavement to see how much real capability it adds — and what you give up in the process.
As always, this review is about the good, the bad, and the mildly annoying. Tom covers-
• Off-road performance and X-Mode
• On-road comfort and noise
• Interior tech and usability
• Fuel economy vs the hybrid
• Towing capability
• What Wilderness actually adds — and who it’s really for
Want extra trail confidence without going full rock crawler? This might be the logical adventure choice.
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he’s won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).
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Tom Voelk, Tom Volk, car reviews, Driven Car Reviews, driven
00:00 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Review
1:03 Pricing
1:35 Competitors
2:00 Powertrain
3:15 Forest Service Road Ability
5:10 Interior / Interface
7:10 On Road Dynamics
9:35 Fuel Efficiency
9:52 Back Seat Room
10:30 Cargo Space
11:13 Summary
I was a Subaru Forester owner for 22 years. Had Subaru offered a hybrid version four years ago I might still be. I do wish we could stop using “off road” to describe these cars. Off highway, off pavement or maybe “bad road ready” would be more appropriate.
So, you’re just gonna keep that fishing hole location to yerself?
I'm not trying to give Subaru a pass here, but years ago, I've accepted that no matter who builds the infotainment screen, it will never respond like your smartphone will.
I would say it's more capable than what 80% of owners will use it for but it's 2026 and I would never consider something that isn't a hybrid or ev.
Thanks for the PSA on not getting swept away by water on the roadway, Tom. I’m in public health and we are tying this message in with our drowning prevention work. Nice review as always – tho I’m more of a CX-50 Meridian guy than a Forester dude. ~JR
I've had a few Subies as loaners while my car was in the garage – hated all the intrusive "safety" beeps and buzzers (I couldn't even figure out what I had done "wrong" half the time). Then last year I bought a BRZ (manual !!!) for a fun drive but they managed to ruin that too with all their "safety" crap that you couldn't turn off (or at best, every time you restarted the car) – I grew to hate that car and sold it (you don't get to see how bad that crap is during a test drive; glad I could afford to do so). If you're TRULY a regular dirt roader these boxes are OK but for most folks it's just the look – I drove my Honda Odyssey on Forest Service roads in California's Sierra Nevada mountains numerous times – you just go a little slower and go around those potholes. I now live in the Northeast (yeah plenty snow) 2WD if fine, put on some winter tires (not snows) and I'm fine – this "need" for AWD/4WD is mostly hype and wastes you $$ when purchasing, driving and repairs. As a farmer once told me – "I drive in 2wd only and use the 4wd to get me out of a place where I guessed wrong" – most of us don't drive 4 seasons on a farm.
Love the underbody shots and rugged trails
Regardless of how many bells and whistles they add to the forester or what name they give it, the engine is too weak — a longtime Forester xt owner
Thanks, Tom, for the quality review, and to Mr. Campbell for his contributions. Stay safe out there!
The one thing that I was not a fan of was the older info screen. Did experience a significant lateness that is unheard of in today’s market. Also the belt from the roof is preset old as well and to me just makes to much noise for my taste. Only could imagine it clanking around more in those off the normal roads situation. Also the speed lag was annoying but not a deal breaker. So these were the turn offs for me if the info screen was better I might be convince to overlook the seat belt from the ceiling bit. But thought over time I would not be happy with the vehicle. It’s a shame.
Also, Subaru Forester Hybrid lacks a spare tire. Just like the Honda CR-V. Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-50, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson all have spare tires in their hybrids.
Why did you not do some off-roading?
At least in our Subaru Outback, they designed little folding trick that tucks the 2nd row center belt/strap right up inside the rooftop port, so it doesn’t dangle out and interfere with cargo. You just have to fold it back up and into itself and “poof” it is inside the roof.
To all:
Best value Forester trim by far is the premium gasoline trim. Thousands less than the wilderness and hybrid. You still get a spare tire. The modest mpg gain with the hybrid not worth the price premium and the modest spec additions to the wilderness not worth the extra bucks either. I think this guy’s videos are very well produced and edited, but he’s falling into the parroting of everyone else’s words like every other YouTube car reviewer. My suggestion to him would be to be a little more objective and focus on value and lower trim levels that people actually can afford or buy to distinguish himself from the other channels. I doubt he’ll go that route though because why risk losing access to press events and press vehicles. Very little in the way of objective auto journalism out there now. Print media is dead. The YouTube market is oversaturated with copycats who soft pedal criticism and the car manufacturers control access to press cars and events . I’d like to see a reviewer be brave enough to independently test drive vehicles from local dealers. The YouTube car review Talking Heads are basically just giving free advertising to manufacturers.
Those pizza cutter tires make it look dorky and top heavy. 😂
The infotainment system should be recalled and upgraded , this is one of the biggest frustrations with the car it’s truly the make or break on sales for the model, nostalgia doesn’t mean sales please Subaru it’s really poor upgrade it before more orders are made and offer a upgrade to existing owners
Have you met/collaborated with Ryan Douthit from Driving Sports Channel? Both of you are live in PNW and would do a great video together 😅
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My bad
Despite all the cladding, I find it less ugly than the new Outback. I guess, rounded edges and better geometry helps to sell the functionality of the black plastic. Clearly, you spent some time photographing the gauges, but I still hate the tablet instead of the real thing.
I love it, it’s the perfect size and everything I need except my one deal breaker no heated steering wheel 🙁 I mean, they know it gets cold in the US right?
Wish Subaru would sell the Wilderness capability without the ugly orange trim, badges everywhere and excessive cladding.
It is just incomprehensible that Subaru is still putting the leftover head unit from the last generation Outback into the current iteration of the Forester. I do not hate it (own a 2024 Outback with it) but it is slow at times and occasionally buggy.
Maybe at mid cycle they can get the head unit from the 2026 Outback.
There’s no guarantee that the new infotainment system will be better. Look how many times Volvo has tweaked theirs in the last decade and reviewers still complain.
I’ve always liked the Foresters upright stance and look. Not enough to put up with the poor mileage.