When you decide to upgrade your current ride, it can be a daunting experience to try to narrow down which car or SUV is best for you and your family. Even if you choose to go with Subaru, it can still be tough to figure out which model checks all your boxes. The 2026 Forester is an excellent choice if you're in the market for a roomy compact SUV that offers impressive performance and fuel economy as well as luxury interior features. It's ideal if you're looking for a dependable daily driver that doubles as a reliable weekend warrior. If you're all about the outdoors and off-roading, the 2026 Forester Wilderness trim is your perfect automotive partner. It offers a higher ground clearance, more towing capacity, and all-terrain tires that can handle any path you set your sights on. Both models boast the iconic BOXER® engine, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and the much-lauded EyeSight® suite of driver assist technology so you can make every drive with extra peace of mind, no matter which Forester you choose. At Capitol Subaru in Salem, OR, we want your car-buying journey to be as easy as possible, which is why we've created this comprehensive comparison page, breaking down the specs and features of the 2026 Forester and the 2026 Forester Wilderness so you can make an informed decision. Contact us today to set up a test drive and experience the Subaru difference firsthand.
2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness: Design & Exterior Features
The 2026 Forester starts off with standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with the option to upgrade trim levels for 18- or 19-inch wheels. All sizes are paired with all-season tires for solid handling and traction, no matter the weather. The 2026 Forester Wilderness comes with standard 18-inch wheels only, mated to all-terrain tires, so you can feel comfortable hitting all the off-road trails. LED steering responsive headlights are standard fare in both compact SUVs, while LED fog lights are only standard on the Forester Wilderness and available on higher trim levels of the Forester. Other standard features found on the Forester Wilderness include rain-sensing windshield wipers, a panoramic moonroof, windshield wiper de-icers, and heated side mirrors. All of these amenities are found on higher trim levels of the Forester.
2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness: Comfort & Technology
There's plenty of room for up to 5 in the 2026 Forester and the 2026 Forester Wilderness, as well as comparable passenger volume and cargo space. Heated front seats are standard on the Forester Wilderness, but while they're available only on higher trim levels of the Forester, so are heated rear outboard seats and ventilated front seats, features you won't find on the Forester Wilderness. Leather-trimmed upholstery is only available on higher trims of the Forester, but you'll find the StarTex® water-repellent upholstery exclusive to the Forester Wilderness, meaning no matter what adventure you put your SUV through, your upholstery is easy to clean and stays clean longer. Staying connected is easy with dual 7-inch touchscreens in the Forester - the Forester Wilderness comes standard with an 11.6-inch display. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility is standard in both, but only wireless in the Forester Wilderness.
2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness: Performance
Both the 2026 Forester and the 2026 Forester Wilderness come with the 2.5-liter BOXER engine, generating a solid 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. SI-DRIVE® and Active Torque vectoring are standard fare on both models, while X-MODE® is standard only on the Forester Wilderness and available on the Forester. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard across the board, so both models offer the best handling and traction no matter where you drive. Both SUVs are paired to the Lineartronic® CVT, but only the Forester Wilderness includes an 8-speed manual mode. The Forester gets up to 33 MPG on the highway and can tow up to 1,500 lbs. The Forester Wilderness gets up to 28 highway MPG and can tow up to 3,500 lbs, perfect for camping or visiting the lake with your boat.
2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness: Safety
While the new 2026 models have yet to be rated, the IIHS named the 2026 Forester a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ and awarded a perfect 5-star crash safety rating by the NHTSA, so you know you can expect the same kind of safety in the 2026 model of both SUVs. The EyeSight® suite of driver assist technology is standard fare inside both the Forester and the Forester Wilderness, including Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and so much more. The Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is standard in the Forester Wilderness and available on the higher trim levels of the Forester.
2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness: Overall Value
The 2026 Subaru Forester and the 2026 Forester Wilderness both provide powerful performance, acclaimed safety features, and the enhanced handling and traction of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Choosing either Forester model means you're in good hands. The Forester is an excellent choice for a versatile daily driver, while the Forester Wilderness is designed for those seeking a more rugged vehicle ideal for off-roading adventures. Capitol Subaru has just what you're looking for in our extensive inventory - contact us today by phone, online, or stop by our dealership at 920 Auto Group Ave NE in Salem, OR, to schedule a test drive. We can't wait to see you behind the wheel of a new Subaru.
 | 2026 Subaru Forester | 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Engine | 2,5-Liter BOXER® | 2.5-Liter BOXER® |
| Standard Horsepower | 180 | 180 |
| Standard Torque | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Max Towing Capacity | 1,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Passenger Volume | 110.8 Cubic Feet | 106.6 Cubic Feet |
| Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive | Standard | Standard |
| Fuel Economy (MPG) | 33 Highway / 26 City | 28 Highway / 24 City |
| Max Cargo Volume | 74.4 Cubic Feet | 69.1 Cubic Feet |
| LED Steering Responsive Headlights | Standard | Standard |
| Standard Wheels | 17-inch Aluminum-Alloy | 17-inch Aluminum-Alloy w/ Black Matte Finish |
