Subaru first debuted a hybrid powertrain in the North American market over a decade ago and introduced its off-road-capable Wilderness trim in 2022. At long last, the two come together with the 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid, offering shoppers a more fuel-efficient alternative to other outdoorsy compact SUVs.
2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 Subaru Forester Hybrid
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid
Like the iconic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, the 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid was just waiting for someone to combine two elements to produce a result greater than the sum of its parts. The Forester received a full redesign for the 2025 model year, including a hybrid powertrain that was not only more efficient than the standard gas engine but also more powerful. The new Forester Wilderness trim debuted for 2026, but none of Subaru's Wilderness models (Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek) were ever available in hybrid form. Until now.
Design
You'll need a very keen eye to spot the differences between the new 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid and its non-hybrid sibling, outside of some very subtle additions to the badges. There are no blocked-off grille or unique identifiers to signal that anything is different.
Compared to the standard Forester, Wilderness models are easily spotted by their bright metallic copper accents, lifted ride height (9.3 inches vs 8.7 inches), and smaller 17-inch wheels shod with all-terrain tires. Less obvious traits include non-glossy black plastic exterior trim, a more rugged-looking grille, different bumpers for improved off-road approach and departure angles, and taller roof rails.
Powertrain
The Forester Wilderness Hybrid uses the same powertrain as its non-Wilderness siblings. It's a 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed (boxer) engine, bolstered by two electric motors/generators that combine to produce 194 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission sends power to all four wheels, and unlike some other all-wheel drive hybrids, the Forester uses a driveshaft to send power to the rear wheels, rather than having a supplemental electric motor back there by itself. This results in a more direct power delivery that is beneficial to off-roading.
Official fuel economy estimates are not yet available, but Subaru claims the Wilderness Hybrid should improve efficiency by 25 percent over the non-hybrid Forester Wilderness. By our calculations, that should figure out to around 32 mpg in combined city and highway driving. For reference, the non-hybrid Wilderness is rated at 26 mpg, and the non-Wilderness Hybrid models are estimated at 35 mpg.
Interior
The Wilderness Hybrid is also a dead ringer for the standard Forester Wilderness on the inside. Besides a few different hybrid gauges in the standard digital instrument panel, there's nothing to signal it's any different. As such, it's equipped with weather-resistant synthetic leather upholstery, matching copper accents, and all-weather rubberized floor and trunk mats.
There's ample space in the rear seats for adult-sized passengers, and the standard sunroof helps to keep the cabin feeling a bit more airy. Behind those seats, the cargo area can hold up to 27.5 cubic feet of adventure gear. With the seatbacks folded, capacity increases to 69 cubic feet. These volumes are the same as the non-hybrid Forester's, but the hybrid batteries replace the full-size spare tire with a repair kit and inflator. On the plus side, the Hybrid gains a standard power liftgate that is an option on the regular Forester Wilderness.
The raised roof rails can handle cargo overflow, but they can also hold up to 800 pounds when parked. This allows for rooftop tents for overland camping, but the dynamic load capacity (while the vehicle is in motion) should drop dramatically. For reference, the non-hybrid Wilderness is rated at 176 pounds.
Technology
Standard tech features are nearly identical to those in the non-hybrid Forester Wilderness, though the Hybrid does include a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. In the center of the dash is the same 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, which we've complimented for the large on-screen tile buttons that make it easier to operate while driving. Integrated Apple Maps is another standard Hybrid feature that is optional on the non-hybrid, as is an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. Common standard features also include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad.
