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A blue 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness is driving on a dirt road.

The 2024 Forester Wilderness: Can This Compact Commuter Keep Up on the Trails?

Most drivers know Subaru to be a reliable brand—one that offers supreme value and safety to the daily ride—but what about during your weekend adventures? In recent years, more Subaru models have been offered with the Wilderness trim so they can better traverse dangerous ground. This trim is highly capable when the earth turns unruly, with rugged features and advanced off-road abilities that you won’t find in rivals—and now you can enjoy the Wilderness trim in the compact Forester.

You may be thinking that compact SUVs belong only on the highway or city streets, confidently delivering commuters to the office every day, but don’t let the 2024 Forester fool you; the next time you visit your local Subaru dealer, you’ll want to pay close attention to how the Forester Wilderness will revolutionize the way you take on the elements, making your time on the trails more compelling than ever.

Rugged Styling

At first glance, the compact Forester, when armed with the Wilderness trim’s exterior features, will show you just how serious this small-size traveler can be for exploration. From its strong outer cladding over its wheel wells to an anti-glare hood finish, the Forester Wilderness was made for the trails.

You’ll find that its 9.2-inch ground clearance comes in handy when rolling over rocky terrain and other obstacles, while a reinforced front skid plate protects the important components on its underside so that you can travel with certainty anywhere you please. Its design also showcases improved approach and departure angles, which makes it easy to go exploring without worrying about your vehicle getting damaged by rocks and other debris along the way.

Not only is the Forester Wilderness built with functionality at its core, but it also showcases rugged design elements to further intensify its appeal. With 17-inch matte black-finish alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and exclusive paint colors, you’ll be making a statement wherever you choose to travel. You’ll also find standard reinforced roof rails to accommodate gear, allowing you to haul kayaks, tents, and more into the woods with ease.

If you’re serious about adventure and want a vehicle that won’t be dissuaded by obstacles along the way, the Forester Wilderness and its exterior elements won’t back down from a challenge.

A close up of the headrest in a 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness at a Subaru dealer.

Off-Road Capabilities

Speaking of not backing down, it’s not just looks that make the compact Forester Wilderness so impressive on the trails; it’s its off-road-ready performance. With standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, you’re able to harness extraordinary stability, no matter what type of terrain lies beneath your tires.

Pushing power to the wheels that need it, you’re able to enjoy ultimate control and traction in some of nature’s most unforgiving landscapes. Plus, with a powerful 2.5L Boxer engine with specialized drivetrain gearing, you’ll be able to climb up to a 40% gradient without hesitation.

Take advantage of multiple drive modes to further dial in your drive with dual-function X-MODE. From dirt to deep snow, mud, and more, you’ll be able to traverse the elements with agility, allowing you to venture deep into the wilderness with confidence.

If you’re looking to tow a small camper along the way, rest assured the Forester Wilderness is able to handle it, with a 3,000-lb towing capacity, which is more than rivals (like the Ford Bronco Sport) can offer. When you want the power and off-road prowess required to keep up with the pack on some of the most daunting terrain, rest assured that the Forester Wilderness will deliver the experience you desire.

Durable Interior

When you’re getting muddy on the trails, chances are there’s not a shower readily available, which means that you’re stepping into your vehicle and getting it a bit messy on the drive home. For the Forester Wilderness, this unavoidable situation is no problem since it’s armed with a durable interior that can handle plenty of dirt and mud.

Its textured StarTex water-repellent upholstery is ready to stand up to the elements—and being that it’s a breeze to clean, you’ll be able to wipe it down and head to the office once your weekend adventures come to an end. Helpful features, like an LED cargo lamp, allow you to locate your belongings and any necessary gear with ease, even when daytime has turned to night.

Speaking of cargo, you’ll be amazed by how accommodating this compact SUV is, especially when it comes to handling camping gear and comparably bulky equipment. With an extra-wide rear gate opening, you’re able to effortlessly load up for your adventure, even when you’re carrying oversized items. Plus, 60/40-split fold-down rear seatbacks expand the Forester’s ability to accommodate your cargo, offering up to 74.2 cu.ft. for everything joining you on the expedition.

This area is also equipped with durable materials that are easy to clean, so you can unload after an epic weekend out in nature without damaging your cargo hold or having to spend hours cleaning up.

A close up of the Wilderness badge on a blue 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness.

Trail-Ready Tech

It always helps to have some assistance on the trails, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Fortunately, the 2024 Forester Wilderness is able to offer you exactly what you need to enhance your confidence, no matter where you’re traveling.

A standard 180-degree Front-View Monitor helps you avoid obstacles ahead of you, providing you with clear views of the trails and what lies in the distance so that you can reroute if necessary. You’re also able to take advantage of the re-tuned standard EyeSight driver assistance suite, which provides you with access to a variety of advanced safety features, perfect for the trails and anywhere else you’re venturing next.

In addition to helpful features on the road—like pre-collision braking and lane keeping assistance—Foresters with the Wilderness trim are also equipped with re-calibrated features to account for their increased ground clearance and other off-road capabilities; this allows you to travel with assurance that your Forester is watching out for you, even when you’re out exploring the wilderness.

You’ll also find STARLINK safety and security features, which come in handy when you’ve found yourself in an unfortunate situation, alerting emergency services so that you can be taken care of and receive the help you need, even when you’re in the boonies.

The 2024 Subaru Forester: Designed for Your Wilderness Adventures

So, the next time you assume that a compact SUV can’t possibly keep up with other rugged off-roaders, think again. The 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness isn’t just designed to withstand the elements; it’s also enhanced with an off-road performance that can’t be beat.

When you take into account how Subaru has one of the best safety suites on the planet, and how they’re one of the most value-packed brands in the industry, the Forester Wilderness is even more appealing. And this nameplate is particularly reliable; in fact, 96% of Foresters sold within the last ten years are still confidently traveling on roadways across the nation.

With a superior dedication to value and reliability, when you’re driving a Subaru, you can count on it to deliver—wherever you are. From the woods to the highway, when you want to harness the latest advancements in automotive innovation, performance, and design, the 2024 Forester Wilderness is a top choice.