Coming from the success of the first Forester Wilderness, Subaru managed to pack an even higher ground clearance for the Forester’s second trail outing. Thanks to longer coil springs and shocks, the all-new Forester Wilderness rides 236 mm off the ground—higher than the Ranger Wildtrak and close to the Jeep Wrangler (at least the base model).

In addition, Subaru beefed up the running gear with an uprated transmission cooler for a 1,587-kilogram towing capacity, and a rear differential temperature sensor for added confidence on the trails. Even the CVT gearbox’s been tinkered with a shorter final drive ratio for better low-speed off-roadability. The trademark X-Mode system, meanwhile, has Dual Modes—Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes.

Like other Forester variants, the Subaru Global Platform’s been stiffened up by 10 percent thanks to a new full inner frame construction with stronger welding techniques and additional structural adhesive. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system also offers a 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.

Along with the added ride height, Subaru’s changed up the exterior to improve its approach, departure, and breakover angles. 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.

Powering the Forester Wilderness is a normally-aspirated 2.5-liter Boxer engine with 180 horsepower and 241 Nm of torque. No word if it will also be getting the hybrid treatment.

Exterior-wise, the Forester Wilderness now has a fixed roof rail with an 362-kilogram static (79.8-kilogram dynamic) load capacity, hexagonal LED fog lights, underbody protection, and expanded anodized copper-finish exterior accents, including the front and rear bumper tow hook covers. Subaru also beefed up the wheel and tire package, swapping the on-road tires for 17-inch Yokohama Geolandar all-terrains.

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.

Sadly, the Forester Wilderness remains a North American exclusive where it’ll go on sale by the third quarter of this year. Elsewhere, they can look at the Forester Wilderness as a soft of aftermarket inspiration for a possible off-road-centric build.