Subaru has introduced the first hybrid model to its rugged Wilderness subbrand, the 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid, at the New York Auto Show. This new SUV maintains the 9.3 inches of ground clearance of its non-hybrid counterpart but promises improved fuel efficiency.
The vehicle was unveiled and is scheduled to go on sale by the end of 2026. Subaru's strong sales of nearly 250,000 Wilderness-badged vehicles since 2021, with the Forester Wilderness making up over 13% of Forester sales, motivated this hybrid expansion.
The 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid comes fully loaded in a single specification. Standard features include an 11-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, built-in navigation, and a power liftgate.
It features rugged styling, matte-black 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and added underbody protection. The hybrid powertrain offers slightly more power than the standard model, though real-world acceleration may be marginally slower. The primary benefit is anticipated to be superior fuel economy.
Pricing is expected to start around $40,000 when it arrives in dealerships late next year.