The 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid is the superior choice for suburban families who need a vehicle that smoothly transitions from weekday school runs to weekend trail trips. Built with 9.3 inches of unladen ground clearance and standard full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the Forester Wilderness Hybrid provides elevated obstacle clearance and continuous power distribution that outmatches its rivals when pavements end.

While the 2027 Jeep Cherokee HEV 4X4 offers a respectable 3,500-lb towing capacity and 8.0 inches of ground clearance, its heavier 4,295-lb curb weight impacts agility during emergency maneuvers. The 2027 Kia Sportage EX Hybrid AT AWD delivers punchy acceleration on flat highways, but its 8.3-inch ground clearance and lighter 2,000-lb towing limit restrict its capability when hauling recreational gear or navigating unpaved trailheads.

For active households around Chesterfield loading up soccer bags for Central Park or packing camping gear for weekend river excursions, the Forester Wilderness Hybrid delivers the most complete combination of ground clearance, structural durability, and all-weather traction. Its StarTex® synthetic leather upholstery resists water and mud, allowing parents to clean up after muddy hikes without stress. Shoppers exploring pre-owned vehicle options alongside new models can also browse our quality pre-owned inventory options to compare generations.

Powertrain specs by trim

The 2027 Kia Sportage EX Hybrid AT AWD holds a slight edge in raw rear cargo volume with about 39.5 cu ft behind the second row, but the 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid maximizes usable passenger space with an upright, boxy cabin architecture that delivers superior front headroom (40.0 inches) and legroom (43.3 inches). When rear seats are folded flat, the Forester expands to about 69 cu ft of total cargo capacity, featuring a wide rear gate opening designed for effortless loading of bulky coolers, bicycle frames, or camping crates.

The 2027 Jeep Cherokee HEV 4X4 supplies about 34 cu ft of cargo space behind its rear seats and about 68 cu ft with the rear row folded. While the Cherokee offers generous rear headroom (40.2 inches), its interior load floor height of 31.2 inches makes lifting heavy gear into the back noticeably more strenuous than the Forester's low 29.5-inch loading height.

Inside the Forester Wilderness Hybrid, practical details like roof rails with built-in tie-down points, cargo area load restraint hooks, and available sidewall protectors ensure your cabin stays organized and damage-free. To streamline your purchase process before taking a test drive, you can complete our secure online credit pre-approval application from home.

Capacity and dimensions by trim

Powered by a 2.5L Subaru BOXER 4-cylinder engine integrated with an electric motor system, the 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid generates a balanced 194 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. Power is managed through a Lineartronic CVT featuring steering wheel gearchange paddles and manual mode controls. Thanks to the horizontally opposed Boxer engine configuration, the Forester maintains a low center of gravity that minimizes body roll through winding suburban roads while maintaining impressive stability over rough terrain.

The 2027 Jeep Cherokee HEV 4X4 utilizes a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 207 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque. While punchy in a straight line, the Cherokee's heavy 4,295-lb curb weight creates a heavier steering feel during quick transitions. The 2027 Kia Sportage EX Hybrid AT AWD extracts 232 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque from its 1.6L turbocharged engine and Sportmatic® 6-speed automatic transmission, weighing in at 3,803 lbs. However, the Sportage uses a lighter-duty all-wheel-drive system that engages electronically when front slip is detected, whereas Subaru's full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive continuously delivers power to all four wheels for instant, predictable traction.

Maintaining your Subaru's mechanical precision over thousands of miles is effortless when utilizing genuine OEM components engineered specifically for Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Fuel economy and range by trim

Every 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid comes equipped with an impressive dual-screen digital cockpit, featuring a 12.3-inch reconfigurable TFT instrument display behind the steering wheel alongside a central 11.6-inch high-definition touchscreen. The Subaru STARLINK® multimedia system integrates wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™, permitting seamless smartphone mirroring without messy cables cluttering the floor console.

The Jeep Cherokee HEV 4X4 incorporates a 12.3-inch center display paired with a 10.25-inch instrument screen, while the Kia Sportage EX Hybrid AT AWD utilizes a 12.3-inch center screen with a smaller 4.2-inch digital cluster display. Subaru's vertical 11.6-inch touchscreen layout positions climate controls, navigation maps, and audio controls in clear, stacked zones that reduce driver distraction while operating the vehicle. Physical knobs for volume and temperature adjustments ensure easy control even when wearing winter gloves.

Safety engineering remains a core pillar of the Subaru brand identity. The Forester Wilderness Hybrid features the latest iteration of EyeSight® Driver Assist technology, utilizing an expanded field-of-view camera array to monitor surrounding traffic. Euro NCAP crash testing awarded the new-generation Forester a 5-star overall safety rating, including an 83% adult occupant score and an 89% child occupant protection score. Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recognized the Forester with its highest TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. Standard active safety equipment includes:

• EyeSight® Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management (activates above 7 mph)
• Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Standard 7-airbag protection system, including a dedicated driver's knee airbag
• Advanced Automatic Collision Notification via MySubaru Companion telematics

The Jeep Cherokee HEV 4X4 includes Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus and 9 airbags, while the Kia Sportage EX Hybrid AT AWD features Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with 8 airbags. However, Subaru's camera-based EyeSight® system continues to earn industry praise for its smooth adaptive cruise control responses during heavy traffic conditions.

When evaluated across capability, structural safety, interior durability, and overall value, the 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid stands out as a strong hybrid crossover choice. By pairing the fuel-saving advantages of an electrified powertrain with authentic off-road engineering—including 9.3 inches of ground clearance, a 3,500-lb towing capacity, and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive—the Forester Wilderness Hybrid delivers a well-rounded package.

At Sunset Hills Subaru, our team is dedicated to providing an informative, customer-first experience tailored to your driving needs. Whether you're researching hybrid efficiency for your morning commute or searching for an adventure-ready vehicle for weekend family escapes, we invite you to stop by our showroom at 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127. Schedule your test drive today and experience the Subaru difference firsthand!