2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness Stays on Last-Gen Platform, Starts at $36,415
The Subaru Forester gets a major redesign for 2025, kicking off the model’s sixth generation. But not all Foresters move to the next-generation design, as the off-road-oriented Wilderness trim level stays on the last-gen Forester’s architecture for at least one more year. Accordingly, while the rest of the Forester family sees prices increase by $2,000 to $3,000 for 2025, the Wilderness inches up just $400, to $36,415.
Related: Redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester Stays the Course, Gets Enhanced Tech Features
Equipped for Adventure
Riding on taller springs and shock absorbers, the Forester Wilderness boasts 9.2 inches of ground clearance, 0.5 inch more than the rest of the 2025 lineup. It wears a unique front fascia compared to other last-gen Foresters, but compared to the sixth-gen 2025 family, it wears a unique everything. Matte-black 17-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires help maximize grip off pavement.
The Wilderness also gets enhanced towing capability. It’s rated to tow up to 3,000 pounds, which is double what the rest of the 2025 lineup can handle. Additionally, the Wilderness gets sturdier roof rails that can support up to 800 pounds while stationary, allowing for the installation of a rooftop tent.
Carryover Powertrain
While the Forester is fully redesigned for 2025, its powertrain is not. The same 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder carries over from 2024 in all models, though power and torque figures differ slightly between the regular 2025 Foresters and the Forester Wilderness. The Wilderness makes 182 horsepower (2 hp more than the regular Forester) and 176 pounds-feet of torque (2 pounds-feet less). Its continuously variable automatic transmission features an eight-speed manual mode that simulates the shifts of a traditional geared transmission for drivers who want to feel more involved.
As with every Subaru but the BRZ, all-wheel drive is standard on the Forester Wilderness. While official EPA stats aren’t available yet, Subaru claims the new Forester Wilderness gets 25/28/26 mpg city/highway/combined in EPA-style fuel-economy tests, compared to an EPA-rated best of 26/33/29 mpg for the rest of the 2025 Foresters.
Standard Equipment and Safety Features
Inside, the 2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness features synthetic leather upholstery and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite is standard, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert and emergency steering assist.
Availability and Pricing
The 2025 Subaru Forester goes on sale in early 2025. Pricing starts at $36,415 (including the $1,420 destination fee).
More From Cars.com:
- 2025 Subaru Forester: Bolder Exterior Styling, New Tech, Priced From $31,090
- 2025 Subaru Forester Review: Redesigned, But on the Same Not-So-Beaten Path
- 2025 Subaru Forester Up Close: No Big Changes, Just Better
- 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness Review: More Capable On- and Off-Road
- 2023 Mazda CX-50 Vs. 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness: Who Off-Roads Better?
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