Subaru Forester will be available in a new Wilderness trim, and we got a chance to see it at the Chicago Auto Show. So will it be worth the wait?

In its second year of production, the sixth-generation Forester is finally taking that quantum leap from straight-ICE to an optional battery-hybrid.

Comment Now! Subaru's sixth-generation Forester has gained Wilderness and Hybrid models; The Forester Wilderness features 9.3 inches of grou

Subaru will announce 2025 Forester Hybrid prices and official fuel economy ratings closer to when the SUV goes on sale. It will compete with hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, and Toyota RAV4.

The Forester Hybrid boasts much better efficiency at about $3,000 more, without giving up its tenacious all-wheel drive.

No huge changes come under the skin when compared to the outgoing 2025 Forester Wilderness; 2026 models actually lose two horsepower, down to 180, but gain two pound-feet of torque, up to 178. Subaru says the engine and transmission have been retuned to make more of that power accessible at lower engine speeds.

Forester has officially gained two new trim packages. The rugged Wilderness trim package is back, seen previously on the last-gen Forester and on other Subaru models such as the Outback and Crosstrek.