Over the years parents have fought the notion that they are not cool just because they drive a station wagon or an SUV. Well, Subaru’s Forester Wilderness will once and for all dispel those notions. This is a family car that can not only handle kids, dogs and groceries but the great outdoors. If that doesn’t spell cool, then we don’t know what does!
The Wildness, which made its debut this year, starts at $33,520 and is a perfect family car. It isn’t a gas guzzler (25 miles per gallon combined with 3.8 gallons per 100 miles), is roomy, handles well and has lots of standard features. In 2020 rear-seat reminders became standard. And, parents will love the StarTex water-repellent upholstery for those juicy box spills. It is the brand’s most rugged and trail-capable vehicle but perfect for the burbs.
In terms of comfort, The Wilderness is roomier than most of its competitors with 40.2 inches of headroom in the front; 37.6 inches in the back. You can stretch your legs out with 43.3 inches in the front; 39.4 inches in the back. Cargo space is also generous with 107.6 cubic feet of passenger volume and 26.9 cubic feet in cargo volume. Lower the rear seat and the combined space equals 69.1 cubic feet.
Of course the Wilderness has all the bells and whistles that make Subaru the darling of families such as brake override system and safety pedal system, steering responsive LED headlights and 60/40 split fold-down rear setback with reclining function and tilt/telescopic steering wheel with Bluetooth and audio switches.
But it’s the outdoor features that separates the Wilderness from its competitors and, frankly, the others in the Forester family. The raised suspension with 9.2 inches of ground clearance and standard front skid plates make the intown ride similar to floating on air while in the wilderness it can clear water, rocks and branches with ease.
The X-MODE with Hill Descent Control gives even the most skittish driver a sense of security while going off road, challenging the terrain or driving in raging snow storms. The system features driver-selectable Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes to fully activate the vehicles systems for maximum traction. Another great feature is 180-degree front-view monitor that again provides the needed confidence booster knowing that you have a clear vision of what’s ahead. In addition, the 17-inch matte-black finish alloy wheels and Yokohama GEOLANDAR give it an extra boost of an aggressive coolness while also providing impressive traction.
Like the other Forresters, the Wilderness is powered by a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine teamed with a Lineartronic® CVT and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The direct-injection engine produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque.
The Forrester Wilderness is a welcome combination of Suburu’s well-known penchant for SUV capability, car-like ride and handling while adding extras that make it a perfect for those driving off-road or in bad weather. Few have this dynamic combination, which makes it a perfect vehicle for cool parents who want a safe family car with a little bit of a bad boy on the side.
