2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid
By Lorenzo Bianchi September 18, 2026
The first hybrid Subaru Wilderness model combines a 2.5-liter BOXER engine, electric motors and lithium-ion battery for 194 hp.
Wilderness hardware includes 9.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires and enhanced underbody protection.
Pricing starts at $40,495 MSRP, placing it $1,000 above the gas-only Forester Wilderness.
The 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid fills a fairly obvious gap in the Forester range. It is the first Wilderness model to use a hybrid powertrain, pairing the tougher specification of Subaru's trail-oriented trim with the company's next-generation series-parallel hybrid system.
It also arrives as part of a reshuffled 2027 Forester lineup. Subaru now offers five Forester Hybrid trims, including Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited and Touring.
Wilderness Hardware Stays in Place
The important changes are underneath rather than a move away from the familiar Forester shape. Ground clearance rises to 9.3 inches, matching the regular Wilderness, while all-terrain tires and enhanced underbody protection remain part of the package. Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and dual-mode X-MODE are also included.
Subaru's release does not specify the Wilderness Hybrid's wheel size or detailed exterior trim treatment. Geyser Blue, however, is reserved as an available color for the Wilderness and Wilderness Hybrid within the 2027 range.
Hybrid System Produces 194 HP
Power comes from a specially developed Atkinson/Miller-cycle 2.5-liter Subaru BOXER engine working with electric motors and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery. Combined output is 194 hp, compared with 180 hp from the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine used by gas-only Foresters. A Lineartronic CVT is fitted across the Forester lineup.
Subaru says the Wilderness Hybrid delivers better fuel economy than its gasoline counterpart while retaining all-wheel-drive capability, though EPA economy figures are not provided in the supplied release.
Digital Cabin With StarTex Upholstery
Inside, the Wilderness Hybrid receives StarTex upholstery and a heated steering wheel. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard, along with a Harman Kardon audio system and power rear gate.
The wider Forester specification also includes an 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen on most trims, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EyeSight driver-assistance technology and Symmetrical AWD are standard throughout the 2027 lineup.
$40,495 Places Hybrid Above Wilderness
The 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid starts at $40,495 MSRP, compared with $39,495 for the gasoline Wilderness. It sits just below the $41,545 Touring Hybrid at the top of the range.
That pricing gives Subaru a distinct proposition within its own lineup: buyers can now combine the Wilderness package with the Forester's electrified drivetrain rather than choosing between the two. The 2027 Forester range is assembled in Lafayette, Indiana, and Gunma, Japan.