Subaru Forester will be available in a new Wilderness trim, and we got a chance to see it at the Chicago Auto Show. So will it be worth the wait?

All-terrain tires are fitted standard for more grip on loose surfaces, complemented by Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a locking center differential, and an uprated transmission cooler. The XMode terrain select system also gains Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings.

The trail-ready SUV adds a splash more ground clearance and a dash more torque, but stands by the naturally aspirated flat-four.

We've gotten some details about the upcoming 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness SUV which will launch this coming fall. Here's everything we know.

No huge changes come under the skin when compared to the outgoing 2025 Forester Wilderness; 2026 models actually lose two horsepower, down to 180, but gain two pound-feet of torque, up to 178. Subaru says the engine and transmission have been retuned to make more of that power accessible at lower engine speeds.

Forester has officially gained two new trim packages. The rugged Wilderness trim package is back, seen previously on the last-gen Forester and on other Subaru models such as the Outback and Crosstrek.