2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2026 Subaru Forester continued to build on its reputation for utility and safety with a redesigned Wilderness model. This version was easily recognizable with its lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, and anodized copper accents. The Wilderness badges added a distinctive touch, making it stand out among other Subaru models. The interior was designed for adventure, featuring water-resistant artificial leather and all-weather floor mats, ensuring easy cleanup after outdoor excursions. Despite the lack of seat ventilation, the Forester Wilderness offered a comfortable and practical cabin environment.

Subaru's 2026 Forester lineup included various trim levels, with prices ranging from $31,445 to $43,045. The Wilderness model, in particular, came with an optional package that added a digital instrumentation panel, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and power liftgate, bringing the MSRP to $42,035. Subaru also offered a range of accessory upgrades, enhancing the Forester's versatility for carrying gear and organizing cargo. The Wilderness model's roof rack, with an 800-pound static load rating, allowed for the addition of a rooftop tent and rack-mounted awning, making it a capable companion for camping adventures.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer received a refresh four years into its lifecycle, retaining its upright stance, low belt line, and large windows. The new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence gave it a modern vibe, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The Upland trim we tested featured well-integrated front recovery hooks, enhancing utility without compromising the elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer boasted a clean design with strong horizontal lines, although the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle. The seats, while plain in appearance, offered exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives enjoyable.

The Grand Wagoneer's interior exuded a premium feel, with solid metal gearshift dials and available Nappa and Palermo leather in upper trims. The overall fit and finish were impressive, with doors that closed with a solid thwap and a sturdy armrest closure. The Grand Wagoneer provided a comfortable and luxurious driving experience, with ample space for passengers and cargo. Despite its size, it was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, absorbing bumps and providing a quiet cabin environment. The seats were comfortable for a wide range of passenger sizes, making it a great choice for long journeys.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the turbocharged power of the Outback Wilderness, the Forester's lighter weight and shorter final-drive ratio improved low-speed responsiveness, especially off-road. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) kept the engine responsive, and the Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system, with X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings, enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Forester Wilderness featured increased ground clearance, underbody protection, and all-terrain tires, making it capable of tackling challenging terrain. However, its fuel efficiency was not particularly impressive, averaging 22.7 mpg during testing.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. While the Grand Wagoneer experienced a power downgrade for 2026, the standard-output Hurricane engine still offered ample performance. Additionally, a range-extended electric powertrain was slated to deliver 647 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated total range of over 500 miles. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, offering a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2026 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a classic two-box design maximizing passenger and cargo space. The Wilderness model featured comfortable heated front seats, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment. However, it lacked a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats. The panoramic sunroof provided a view of the sky but lacked tint, causing solar heating. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and foot space. The Forester Wilderness offered 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 69.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, with three rows providing ample leg and hip room for passengers. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for seating up to eight passengers comfortably. While using the third row reduced cargo space, it still offered 27.9 cubic feet, with a long-wheelbase version increasing capacity to 42.6 cubic feet. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. It featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated driver and front passenger seats, making it well-equipped for comfort and convenience.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Subaru Multimedia Plus software. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the infotainment screen could be cluttered, and the voice recognition system had limitations. The Wilderness model featured a 180-degree forward view camera system, but the camera's distorted view made it challenging to trust, especially off-road. The test vehicle also had wireless smartphone charging and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. It also featured a hands-free power liftgate, three-zone automatic climate controls, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered additional features like a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, and a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system. However, the wireless phone charger had issues, and the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size. Adjustable pedals were no longer available for 2026.

The 2026 Subaru Forester featured Subaru's EyeSight package, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection was available, and Subaru improved rear seatbelts for enhanced safety. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with safety features like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and intersection-collision assist. It also had front and rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and a driver-attention monitor. Available features included automated parking assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores in crash tests. The NHTSA gave it a four-star safety rating.