Tested: 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness

First glance: Is this product serious?

To be honest, when I first saw a photo of the 2026 Forester Wilderness, I almost laughed out loud-wasn't this front face too hard? The huge black bumper, the orange trailer hook decoration, and the luggage rack on the roof are like water pipes welded on... But when you stand in front of it, especially when you see the 225mm ground clearance and all-terrain tires, you understand: it's not here to participate in a beauty pageant, it's here to work. Sitting in the driver's seat, the view is ridiculously good, the window lines are low, and the A-pillar is thin. It feels like you are walking in the wild with a glass fish tank open. Okay, I admit, this hardcore is a little cute.

Interior: Practical, but don't expect luxury

I pulled open the door and was a little disappointed to be honest-the center console was still the same 8-inch screen (the top was only 11.6 inches), the plastic parts were hard, and the buttons felt like game console handles ten years ago. But on second thought, this car is for survival. You can't use leather and wood grain to deal with mud and branches, right? The seat is made of StarTex waterproof fabric and feels like canvas, but it is very supportive when sitting on it and does not hurt your butt when driving long distances. Here's a little surprise: Steering wheel heating and seat heating come very quickly, making it a lifesaver during winter camping. The storage space is also exaggerated. The door panel can fit a two-liter kettle, and there is also a non-slip slot in front of the handle for mobile phones and keys. Oh, by the way, the rear backrest can be adjusted in two stages, so people will not feel aggrieved even if they sit for a long time.

Drive it up: CVT? I forgive you

In the past, I particularly disliked Subaru's CVT, and I always felt like I was running a washing machine that was not awake. But the 2026 Forester Wilderness actually made me change-it starts quickly, the throttle is responsive, and it even feels a little "jumping". 2.5 The parameters of the horizontal opposed four-cylinder engine (182 horsepower, 176 N·m) are inconspicuous, but the actual driving does not feel meat, especially when overtaking at medium and low speeds, the simulated 8-speed shift point is quite like that. Of course, there was still noise after the speed was increased. Some people thought it was noisy, but I thought it was quite sense-like a beast roaring. The steering feels light, but the pointing is accurate, and it is easy to walk in the city. Bottom line: Daily commutes are perfectly fine, don't expect violent driving to be enough.

Cross-country: This product is the real "wild child"

Driving to the gravel roads and mud fields in the suburbs, Wilderness's true skills were revealed. The ground clearance is almost 3 centimeters higher than that of ordinary Forester (up to 235mm), and the approach and departure angles are also much larger. You don't need to slow down to pass through that kind of pit and just run it over directly. There are two modes in X-Mode: snow/sand and deep snow/mud. I tried the latter. On the slippery slopes, the tires almost did not idle, and the electronic slip restriction intervened quickly and decisively. What's even more exaggerated is the "steep slope descent"-release the brake and the car slides down at an ultra-slow speed. You just need to hold the steering wheel, which is like hanging up a "cheater". The chassis feels very solid. The initial section of the suspension is hard but the rear section is resilient. There will be no "clang" impact feeling when passing through the shell pit, but a dull "dong" sound, which is very textured. The only thing I want to complain about is the original tire-although it is an all-terrain tire, the pattern is road oriented. If you really want to play with mud, it is recommended to replace it with a more wild AT tire.

Is there enough power? This is a philosophical question

182 horsepower, 176 N·m, dragging a 1.6-ton square box, accelerating at zero to one hundred times... It takes about 9 seconds? Don't expect a feeling of pushing back anyway. But I think Subaru thought it clearly: this car is not used to break straight lines, but to slowly climb mountains. The low torque of the engine is good. It can output most of the torque at 2000 revolutions. When climbing stone roads, you don't need to use a big foot throttle. Linear controllability is the king. In terms of fuel consumption, my comprehensive driving is about 10.5L/100km, which is slightly higher than the official nominal 9.8L, but considering the weight and wind resistance of the car, it is acceptable. If you must pursue speed, buy a Tesla next door. It's not your thing anyway.

Is it worth buying? The wallet is the final call

The starting price of the 2026 Forester Wilderness model is about US$35,000 (approximately RMB 250,000), which is 4000 more expensive than the regular version. The money was exchanged for higher ground clearance, exclusive off-road tuning, all-terrain tires, waterproof interiors, and the cool "wild" exterior package. I think it's worth it-if you actually know how to go outdoors. If you spend 99% of your time driving in the city, a regular Forester or Crosstrek is more suitable for you. But as someone who occasionally wants to escape from the cement forest, this car will give you more than just commuting tools, but a sense of security that you can start at any time. Oh, by the way, the sound system is very ordinary. I suggest changing it yourself in the later stages, otherwise listening to music over a long distance will be boring.

Two last words: Not perfect, but charming

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is not a perfect car: cheap interior, mediocre power, and occasionally hesitant gearbox... but it has a "silly" nature-obviously it can be a good grocery shopping car, but it has to install it with big feet, paint it with orange hooks, and break through the bad road. Just like the friend around you who shouts "Go to Xizang" all day long but never sets off, this Forester Wilderness is the car that can really take you there. If you need a car that can hold a tent, a bicycle, or even a big dog, and still send you home unscathed in the rain and mud... forget it.