Subaru USA has combined both its hybrid technology and its Wilderness off-road brand with the new Forester Wilderness Hybrid off-road medium SUV. Revealed at the New York Auto Show\, the new Forester Hybrid Wilderness now gives buyers of the Wilderness off-road range the option of a hybrid drivetrain, which is not something they’ve had before. Subaru Australia is yet to confirm it for local sales, but given that Wilderness is now part of the new Outback range, we’d be surprised if it didn’t end up offered locally at some stage.

Up until now, the Forester Wilderness in North America was only offered with the petrol Forester’s 136kW 2.5-litre petrol engine without any electrical or turbocharging assistance. But with the hybrid system now part of the Wilderness line-up, Subaru claims that off-road adventuring can now be up to 25 per cent more efficient and there’s a healthy power boost to match.

Mechanically, the Forester Wilderness Hybrid mixes elements from the regular hybrid Forester and the Wilderness. It therefore features a 145kW 2.5-litre ‘Strong Boxer’ hybrid drivetrain and CVT gearbox, a mechanical all-wheel drive system, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tyres and revised and lifted suspension with 236mm of ground clearance.

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Subaru’s ‘X-Mode’ off-road system also features with driving modes like deep snow/mud and snow/dirt and the revised bodywork gives improved approach (23.5 degrees vs. 19 degrees) and departure (25.5 degrees vs. 24.6 degrees) angles. Raised roof rails give the Wilderness versions of the Forester a 362kg weight carrying capacity too.

Inside, the Forester’s familiar 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital driver’s display remain, as does the Wilderness’ ‘StarTex’ weather-resistant materials, easy-clean surfaces and standard all-weather mats and cargo area protector.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid will go on sale in North America in late 2026, with an Australian debut yet to be announced.