2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Review: Charming Off-Roader with Flaws

Driving Impressions and Overall Feel

• 🚗 Despite numerous flaws, the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is described as lovable and enjoyable to drive, possessing a unique charm.
• 💡 The vehicle offers great visibility and a comfortable driving position, making it feel like a classic car in some aspects.
• 💰 A significant drawback is the $42,000 price tag, which is considered high given the car's shortcomings.

Infotainment and Interior

• ⚠️ The infotainment system is heavily criticized as one of the worst on the market, being extremely slow and outdated, even when Wi-Fi is turned off.
• 🎛️ While the car features physical buttons for climate control and defrost, the lack of dedicated physical buttons for other functions like recirculation is noted.
• 💧 The StarTex® upholstery is water-resistant, making it practical for outdoor activities, though a heated steering wheel is notably absent.
• 🔊 The Harman Kardon sound system is highlighted as a positive feature, providing strong audio performance.

Off-Road Capability and Design

• ⛰️ The Forester Wilderness boasts 9.3 inches of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it a capable off-road vehicle.
• 🌲 It features all-terrain tires and a revised Symmetrical AWD system with quicker center differential lockup for better trail performance.
• 🛠️ Wilderness-exclusive exterior details, such as the hexagonal grille, LED fog lights, and anodized copper accents, contribute to its rugged appearance.
• 📦 The interior is designed for adventure with durable floor mats, a full-size spare tire, and practical features like grocery hooks and accessible LATCH attachments.

Performance and Powertrain

• 🐌 The 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, which is considered slow for the vehicle's capabilities.
• ⚙️ It is paired with a Lineartronic® CVT, which, while tuned better than some older Subaru CVTs, is still a point of contention for some.
• 🔋 The vehicle takes regular fuel, and the MPG is listed as TBD.

Criticisms and Recommendations

• 📉 The infotainment system's slowness is a persistent issue, with suggestions to consider pre-infotainment refresh Forester Wilderness models to save money.
• 🚀 Despite its flaws, the Forester Wilderness is seen as more than the sum of its parts, offering a charming and capable package that can compete with other off-road SUVs.
• 🌟 The digital instrument cluster is praised for its clarity and aesthetics, contrasting sharply with the poor infotainment system.