You Can Still Buy an ‘Old’ Subaru Forester Wilderness

Subaru SUV Wilderness Edition sticks with old Forester platform rather than upgrade to controversial new one

Sales of the previous-generation 2024 Subaru Forester exploded earlier this year as buyers rushed to snap up one of the remaining units before it was replaced by an all-new 2025 model, but that model has proven to be far from perfect. Not that successful. Now, the automaker is giving older models an extra year, leaving the new SUVs with a headache.

Although Subaru’s U.S. retail website only lists the new, boxy Forester for 2025, the company’s marketing team has confirmed that the Wilderness model will remain unchanged from 2024 onwards. So while there are still those who aren’t convinced that the new Forester’s boxy Ford Explorer looks like it’ll take forever to head off for a camping weekend, similar styling can still be incorporated into the old Forester.

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At $34,995, the 2025 Wilderness costs just $75 more than last year’s SUV, putting it between the base version of the new Forester ($29,695) and the top-spec Touring version ($39,995). The only option is a $2,000 package that adds Subaru’s Starlink 8.0-inch multimedia navigation system, nine-speaker Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi and a power rear hatch.

Following last year’s styling, tough-looking black bumpers, wheel arches and sill trims, longer coil springs and shock absorbers provide 9.2 inches (234 mm) of ground clearance, and 17 inches of all-terrain Yokohama Geolander rubber Matte black alloys. The carry-on theme continues inside, including waterproof StarTex seating surfaces and a standard cargo tray to keep muddy gear and boots from contacting the trunk carpet.

Also unchanged is the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine and its 182 hp (185 PS) and 176 lb-ft (239 Nm) of torque. This energy is sent to all four wheels via forced CVT. The new Forester uses the same powertrain, but it’s rated at 180 hp (183 hp), and the new model’s 1,500 lb (680 kg) towing rating is half what the Wilderness can handle.

Subaru has committed to bringing a hybrid model to the U.S. for the 2026 model year, and we expect the Wilderness to move to an updated body at the same time. Would it be better to spend $35,000 on a new Forester Sport or this old Wilderness?