The 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness is the good choice for active families and outdoor enthusiasts who want genuine off-road capability without sacrificing everyday practicality. Starting at $39,495 MSRP, it delivers 180 hp from a 2.5L Subaru BOXER engine, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 3,500 lbs of towing capacity, and 26 MPG combined — all wrapped in a rugged package that earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating right out of the box.

The 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness is purpose-built for exactly the kind of life Chesterfield families lead — active weekends, busy school-week schedules, and the occasional trail that doesn't show up on a standard road map. With about 27.5 cu ft of cargo space behind the rear seats and a towing rating of 3,500 lbs, this is a vehicle that handles a Saturday morning at Central Park just as comfortably as it handles a boat launch at a local reservoir.

What sets the Wilderness apart from a standard Forester is its commitment to genuine capability. The raised suspension, 9.3 inches of ground clearance, and standard all-terrain tires mean Chesterfield's gently rolling hills and Missouri River floodplain roads are handled with confidence in all-weather conditions — rain, ice, or the occasional muddy trail access road. The full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system continuously distributes torque to maintain grip, so the transition from a well-paved Chesterfield neighborhood street to a gravel park path requires no driver input whatsoever.

Families who have been waiting for the right moment to move on from their current vehicle can browse available Forester models in our current inventory to see what's in stock at Sunset Hills Subaru. Those still weighing options or exploring a different budget point can also explore our pre-owned vehicle inventory for additional choices.

Car and Driver notes that the Forester Wilderness proved "plenty capable in the rough stuff" while also impressing reviewers with its on-road ride quality — a balance that matters enormously to buyers who need a vehicle to perform at school drop-off on Monday and on a trail head on Saturday.

The Forester Wilderness is powered by Subaru's 2.5L Subaru BOXER four-cylinder engine, producing 180 hp at 5,800 rpm and 178 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm. Power flows through a Lineartronic CVT transmission to all four wheels via full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive— a system that operates continuously, not just when slip is detected.

The horizontally opposed BOXER engine layout sits low in the chassis, contributing to a lower center of gravity than an equivalent inline-four configuration. Combined with independent front strut and rear wishbone suspension — both with coil springs and stabilizer bars — the Wilderness delivers a ride that Consumer Reports describes as "comfortable and supple" with "little body lean around corners." That's a meaningful quality for a vehicle that may spend its weekdays navigating Chesterfield's gently rolling suburban streets and its weekends on something considerably less groomed.

The Lineartronic CVT includes a manual mode and terrain-type selection, giving drivers the ability to adapt power delivery to the surface beneath them. Hill holder and electronic auto hold keep the vehicle stable on inclines, while descent control assists on steep downhill grades — a feature that earns its keep on Missouri's hillier back roads.

Fuel economy is covered in detail in the next section, but the combined efficiency of 26 MPG is a practical asset for buyers who cover meaningful daily mileage. The 16.6-gallon fuel tank provides a calculated range of 432 miles per fill-up.

The table below summarizes the key capacity and dimension figures for the Wilderness:

Buyers ready to move forward can start a financing application online at their own pace before visiting Sunset Hills Subaru.

Five passengers fit comfortably in the Forester Wilderness, with front headroom of 40 inches and rear headroom of 37.7 inches— generous figures that make a real difference on longer drives. Front legroom measures 43.3 inches and rear legroom 39.4 inches, with front shoulder room at 58.1 inches and rear shoulder room at 57.2 inches. These aren't aspirational marketing numbers; they reflect a cabin that genuinely accommodates adults in both rows without the usual rear-seat compromises.

The driver's seat is power-adjustable with five electrical settings — including electric height, lumbar, reach, recline, and tilt — so finding the right position is quick and precise. The passenger seat adjusts manually for reach and recline. Both front and rear seats are heated, and the rear bench folds asymmetrically to expand the cargo area when needed. With seats up, cargo volume is about 27.5 cu ft; fold the rear bench and that number grows to about 69 cu ft— enough for a full set of camping gear, sports equipment, or whatever the weekend demands.

The Gray Textured StarTex upholstery is standard on the Wilderness, a synthetic leather material chosen specifically for its durability and ease of cleaning — a practical choice for families with kids, pets, or outdoor gear that doesn't always arrive clean. Synthetic leather also covers the instrument panel and door inserts, while the center floor console features an alloy-look finish. A leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment completes the driver-focused interior setup.

Dual-zone automatic climate control keeps front and rear passengers comfortable independently, and a micro-filter ventilation system cleans incoming air. Cargo area lighting, illuminated vanity mirrors for both driver and passenger, and front and rear reading lights round out the practical comfort details. For owners who want to protect the cargo area further, dealer-installed genuine Subaru accessories and parts including cargo separators and sidewall protectors are available through Sunset Hills Subaru.

The fuel economy figures below reflect what this family-focused package costs to run day to day:

At 26 MPG combined, the Wilderness is an efficient daily companion. The 28 MPG highway rating is particularly relevant for families who make regular longer drives, and the 24 MPG city figure holds up well in stop-and-go suburban traffic.

The 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, with "Good" ratings across moderate overlap front, small overlap front (driver side), side impact, headlights, LATCH ease of use, and seat belt reminder categories — a comprehensive result that reflects genuine structural and electronic safety investment.

The centerpiece of the active safety suite is EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. This system uses stereo camera technology to monitor the road ahead and activates from as low as 7 mph, covering both low-speed and highway scenarios. EyeSight® delivers automatic emergency braking (including at low speeds, front and rear), pre-collision brake light activation, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, lane departure warning with active steering correction, and highway assist. The system operates at Level 2 partial automation, meaning it actively manages both speed and steering in supported conditions.

Complementing EyeSight® is Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, which uses radar to monitor the adjacent lanes and alerts the driver when a vehicle enters the blind zone — particularly useful during lane changes on busier roads. RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) adds radar-based detection of crossing vehicles when reversing, a practical safety net in busy parking areas.

The passive safety structure includes 7 airbags— front driver and passenger, front side, front and rear side curtain, and a driver knee airbag. Front seatbelts include pre-tensioners and height adjustment for both driver and passenger positions. All three rear seating positions have seatbelts, with the center position equipped with a 3-point belt. LATCH anchors for child safety seats are included and rated "Good" by IIHS. Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS, brake assist, and electronic auto hold complete the braking system.

The engine and performance specifications for the Wilderness are summarized below:

The 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness carries a base MSRP of $39,495 with a destination charge of $1,475, bringing the starting delivered price to $40,970 before any options are added. That price point positions the Wilderness as the dedicated off-road-capable variant within the Forester family — a trim that delivers a specific, well-defined set of hardware upgrades over the standard models.

For the starting price, buyers receive the full EyeSight® safety suite, the harman/kardon® 11-speaker audio system, the dual 12.3-inch and 11.6-inch display setup, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, MYSUBARU COMPANION telematics with a 60-month subscription, heated front and rear seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, all-terrain tires on 17-inch alloy wheels, raised ground clearance, front recovery hooks, and the complete Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive drivetrain with terrain selection and descent control. That is a substantial standard equipment list that competes directly with the 2027 Honda CR-V TrailSport, 2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT, and 2027 Toyota RAV4 in the adventure-oriented compact SUV segment.

Optional equipment for the Wilderness includes the Exterior and Interior Auto Dimming HL Mirrors package, Premium Paint (for pearl finish colors), color-matched body side moldings, door edge guards in Wilderness-specific Geyser Blue, illuminated side sill plates, a footwell illumination kit, door projector lights, auto-dimming exterior mirrors with approach lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and HomeLink, and a windshield sunshade — all dealer-installed accessories that allow buyers to personalize the vehicle to their preferences.

Buyers who need more passenger capacity for larger families may also want to review the current Ascent inventory, Subaru's three-row midsize SUV, as an alternative if seven or eight seats are a priority.

The 2027 Forester Wilderness is rated to tow 3,500 lbs when properly equipped. That's sufficient for a small boat, a personal watercraft trailer, a pop-up camper, or a loaded cargo trailer — the kinds of loads that come up regularly for active families planning weekend outings. The trailer stability program is standard equipment, which helps maintain control when towing on uneven or winding roads.

The Wilderness is EPA-rated at 24 MPG city, 28 MPG highway, and 26 MPG combined. With a 16.6-gallon fuel tank, the calculated range per fill-up is 432 miles. The vehicle runs on regular 87-octane unleaded fuel, so there's no premium fuel cost to factor in. For buyers doing significant daily mileage, the highway figure is particularly strong for a vehicle with all-terrain tires and raised ground clearance.

With all five seats in use, the Forester Wilderness provides about 27.5 cu ft of cargo space behind the rear seats. Fold the rear bench flat and that expands to about 69 cu ft. The cargo area is 70.7 inches long with seats folded, 43.3 inches wide between the wheelhouses, and 32.4 inches tall, with a loading floor height of 29.5 inches. A flexible cargo cover, load hooks, and an available cargo separator and sidewall protector help organize the space for different load types.

Yes. Full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every Forester Wilderness — it cannot be deleted or optioned out. The system operates continuously, distributing torque to all four wheels at all times rather than waiting for wheel slip to engage. Combined with the terrain selection system, hill holder, and descent control, the Wilderness AWD setup is designed for proactive capability rather than reactive correction.

Sunset Hills Subaru is located at 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127. You can browse our current new Subaru inventory online before your visit, or give our team (314) 476-9638 a call to confirm availability and schedule a test drive at a time that works for you. As Greg Parish noted in a recent Google review, the staff here is "very friendly" — and we're happy to walk you through every detail of the Wilderness in person.