I've had the 2023 Forester Wilderness for a month now and I do a lot of diving. Already put on 1500 miles. It's broken in and it is a fantastic vehicle!! I don't know who is saying that the power is just adequate? Use Sport mode for acceleration and then switch to Intelligent mode for the longer commutes. Sport is VERY peppy. Anyone who feels it's underpowered is carrying a lot of load and wants a sports car. This car is not slow. It's got a lot of pep and the confidence I have in the AWD, all terrain tires, suspension, ground clearance, physical buttons, and simple engine are second to none. Also, the adaptive cruise control is my favorite feature to set on my long commutes. The eyesight technology is amazing. I had a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid reserved and switched to this vehicle instead. Yeah, you're saving on gas in a Hybrid but those vehicles have much more electronics and complicated engines. In the long run if you need repairs, are you really coming out ahead? I don't want my car completely digital. I would recommend the Forester Wilderness over the Crosstrek and Outback. The seating position is the best and its all around a perfect size and package. Thank you for your review. 👌
If I remember correctly don't be Wilderness versions of the Outback and Crosstrek have slightly more ground clearance? I think I remember someone saying where the Forester was already a tall vehicle they had to sacrifice a small amount of ground clearance due to height Factory in Japan. I don't do any off-roading so the base Forester is fine for me, I just like watching the videos of the wilderness Suberus showing what they can do.
Purchased mine four days ago and I love it. I didn’t see myself ever purchasing a Subaru, so there’s that. My reason for purchasing the Wilderness Forester were reliability. That was tops on my list. I drove and liked the Wilderness Outback, but turbos need time to warm up (that’s what my mechanic tells me). I drive 6-8 miles to work daily. Maybe 20-30 miles total daily. Doesn’t really fit well with how turbos operate. My last turbo (traded it for this) needed THREE turbo replacements in 8 years. Second, I liked the look. I’m not a an outdoors guy, but I start now! The engine isn’t the strongest, but my driving patterns don’t include hard/fast starts. I’ve driven in the highway and had no problems passing. Drove from the low desert to the high desert (3500 elevation) and it had no problem with the hills. Road noice was good. Great ride. You hit everything else. Nice review.
Completely agree! Turbos are nice but a lot of times they are the first major thing to go out in a engine and unless you're racing there's no reason for them. Buying a Forester is about being able to handle environment and for the space not speed.
Great review! You have a practical, real-world approach that not many reviewers offer. Your notes about preferring physical controls and a smaller screen long-term were great.
I have this car and I totally agree with everything you said. Physical buttons are awesome, I drive always in 'sport sharp' and it is plenty peppy so far. And when you said "It floats" over bumps, that is exactly how I described it when I told someone about taking it off road. Thanks for the review!
One thing to add to your great review: Wilderness has transmission fluid cooler, which coupled with lower gearing allows for 3000lbs towing rating and better off the line acceleration.
@@ItsAlive111lower gearing in the axle gear ratios. That is probably more responsible for the loss of fuel economy than the small 1/2" increase in ground clearance and the all terrain type tires.
I just reserved a 2023 Forrester wilderness. It should be delivered in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the amazing review. All of the points that you made are valid.
I own the Forester wilderness and its anything but a slow car I just love it i drove a cx5 for 3 years and driving my forester Makes such a big difference
I am almost 2 weeks in to having my 24 FW and the more I drive it, the more I love it. I'm coming from an old honda crv, so anything feels more powerful than what I was driving for the last 15 years. I'm ok with the lack of fuel efficiency because my last vehicle was worse and the engine hasn't even been broken into yet. The ride comfort, visibility and airy feel to the interior space is fantastic. I really appreciate the physical knobs and buttons. I wouldn't have been able to transition from an old car to a new one easily if every single thing about operating the new car was on a digital screen. This last generation forester with the smaller screen is easy to get comfortable with for those of us who are used to non modern vehicles.
Jus got one of these 2023. Awesome car and super comfortable to drive. Tested it out on a hilly/basically off-road area of my neighborhood (I’m in nyc, so at sea level for what it’s worth) and it does great. No complaints about noise with A/T tires. They are more of a street A/T. The front camera is awesome and the sound system is worth it. Was my first Subaru, may not be my last but I got a good first impression. Engine bay actually looks manageable as far as repairs.
We just bought one of these, but I do have a comment regarding turbocharged engines. In theory, they get better fuel economy, however in most cases, they don't. It takes fuel to make power. If you have a 2.5L Forester engine making 185 HP and a 1.5L Turbo engine making 185 HP, you are using converting the same amount of fuel to make that power. Also, many smaller displacement engines may have a harder time moving all that weight, so they often work harder and stay in boost more often. While that is "fun" to drive (the power), you aren't getting better fuel economy. Power isn't free, you need to burn fuel to make it, so whether you use a 2.5 NA 4 cylinder, a 1.5L Turbo 3 cylinder, a 3.5L V6 or a 5.0 V8, if you're driving is demanding 185 HP, that's how much fuel you will burn to achieve it. From what I've found, most people seem get around 26 MPG with these Foresters. Our Sorento (2.0L Turbo four cylinder), while more powerful (240 HP) gets about 20 MPG. And while I don't HAVE to use premium fuel in it, I do (because it seems wrong to put regular gas in a turbo car). So we're fine with the engine the Forester uses since it's more fuel efficient and will likely be more reliable in the long run than our Sorento (which we traded in).
Good information Jeffer, I have a 22 Rogue with the 1.5T and I'm thinking of getting a Forester Wilderness because I'd like to go back to a normally aspirated 4 banger. I just think the 60 series tires (I like the wheels) just look too small from the side view. I'd like to go with a 65 sidewall, maybe 235 on width. Do you know if I could do that without any modification or lift? (I think it looks lifed enough for what it is) I'll probably never take it off road.
I love my ‘23 Forester Wilderness. I would like to tell prospective buyers after watching this that it has plenty of power for a normal driver. But if you’ve seen too many “Fast and Furious” movies, maybe not.
I test drive the Outback and Forester Wilderness. The difference in acceleration wasn’t huge. Outback was faster with its turbo, but the forester in sport sharp wasn’t exactly a slouch. I bought the forester.
People who complain about the lack of power don't have any clue about driving in reality. Most people don't floorboard the accelerator every time they take off. Even merging onto the freeway doesn't require full throttle applications....anybody who doesn't think that car has enough power, try driving a 30+ year old pickup with a V6, which still has plenty of power in reality. Too much power just leads to premature wear of drivetrain components from boneheaded drivers....its also a waste of fuel. My 2005 Ford Taurus had less HP than these Subaru 2.5L 4 cylinder engines....about 30HP less actually, and it had plenty of power for everyday use, nope it wasn't a racecar, it wasn't built to do that, but it was reliable, and it got in the low to mid 30's for fuel economy too....more power means less fuel economy too. As does those undersized turbocharged engines....every time you ask for more power and you hear that turbo spool, your fuel economy just went way downhill....people don't seem to understand that putting a smaller engine in a vehicle that once had a larger engine, but adding a turbo to that little engine might sound cute on paper, but in reality, your overall performance and fuel efficiency goes out the window. Add to that they're typically far less reliable, even less so for those who do not maintain their vehicles properly....skipping or extending oil change intervals really shortens the life of a turbo, and starts clogging up the oil passages and lines pretty quickly.
These cars fly off the lot so quickly in Northern Michigan. Ive been trying and trying to get one, but the are usually sold before they even arrive. So i took the risk too. Bought the next one coming in on the 19th. Praying i love it. It will be a massive upgrade from my 2013 Impreza!
The option group doesn't get you a bigger infotainment screen, it adds navigation to the standard eight inch screen. The option group also includes Harman Kardon premium audio and a power liftgate.
just bought mine (leased with the option to buy 20K at the end of lease), tryna save a little on the monthly payments for now. im so excited to pick mine up but i opted to not include this package. i really dont care for the power liftgate, and the subaru speakers are generally good anyway.
Hi. Excellent and informative review and comparison to other Subaru models! I just leased a 2024 Forester Wilderness edition and so far I really like it! I've never owned a Subaru before but I wholeheartedly agree with what you have described here. Yours is quite a good resource for potential buyers to see!
Hey thanks for a great comprehensive review! We are sold on the Forester Wilderness because of two (or three) reasons... First this is Outback #4 for us and I'm getting a little tired of them... Second is that I don't want the Turbo as we also have a pick up truck with plenty of power. and the infotainment screen is NOT like the Outback and does give you manual control with buttons or knobs just like "Eatsleepdrive" states. When I first saw that the Wilderness had a towing rating of 3000# like @cbrider6267 stated I was excited as it would be an option to choose which of our vehicles to tow our snowmobile trailer the Wilderness or our pick up! He is correct that it has a trans cooler, lower final drive gears (4.11) and a little bit different transmission gear ratio that includes a lower "first gear". But I hate to rain on everyone's parade...but according to the 2023 Forester Wilderness owners manual page 408, section 8-12, it states: When towing a trailer WITH brakes: Wilderness- 3000lbs When towing a trailer WITHOUT brakes-1000lbs Again, this is not a deal breaker for us, but it may be for some. This will be our 8th Subaru! 1st Subaru Brat Subaru Justy Imprezza Wagon (precludes Outback) 4 Outbacks (includes 2007 Outback sedan RARE!) and soon Forester Wilderness
Pretty standard to have a lower towing requirement for trailers without brakes...makes 100% sense to not tow a heavy trailer if you don't have trailer brakes....it takes a lot of braking power to slow down a vehicle that is towing a trailer, and without the brakes on the trailer to help, it can lead to disasterous consequences, especially with the way a lot of people drive anymore not paying attention, and driving way too fast for conditions.
Went to the dealer yesterday to buy an Outback wilderness, left with a forester wilderness. Edit: Forester still has plenty of power. Test drove both, not a huge difference in acceleration.
@@Nightwatch1986 I liked the look of the forester more. Inside felt more spacious. The forester cabin isn’t as long but it is taller with larger windows. The engine performance is “noticeable”, but not worth the extra cost and maintenance “noticeable”. The forester still has plenty of grunt. It also seemed to drive/handle better. Overall it just felt better.
@@Nightwatch1986 I’ll also say the infotainment center on the outback was god awful. All the features were buried in a large touch screen display. Forester has a nice touchscreen, but also solid buttons and nobs. This is the 2024 model year.
@@kjamesjr Great explanation, thank you! Initially, the Outback caught my attention because of the extra power and ground clearance. But after seeing them on the road I think I came to the conclusion that I don’t like the way they look. Too wagon-ny! I like that the Forester looks more like an suv plus with the other things you mentioned my gut is leaning more to the Forester. Thanks again.
@@Nightwatch1986 You just need to test drive them both. Everyone has different preferences. I thought I wanted the outback until I saw the Forester. Then when I drove both my heart was set on the forester.
Fair and user-friendly review … I have a forester 2019 and enjoy driving it on and off-road, urban and rural … Unfortunately the Wilderness is not yet available in Australia and may not be in the foreseeable future … I’d seriously consider getting one, but by the time it may come here … I may not have the same use for such … I am envious that it is already to folks like yourself …
I just traded a fully loaded to the gills Outback for a Forester Wilderness - I am so happy I did. The Outback was one frayed wire away from a complete meltdown. After the FIFTH circuit fried when I was 615 miles away from home and less that TWO weeks after the dealer had it for THREE WEEKS because the fancy premium sound system crapped out and had to be replaced - that was it. The dealership screwed me on the trade - the warranty and the price of the new car AND the guy I was working with passed himself off as the manger of the dealership (he wasn't) - but I own that. when I refused a trade for another fully loaded Outback, their tone dramatically changed. I am 8k more in debt but I have a vehicle that I feel will last me longer than I will need it. The Forester is an amazing vehicle and I am regretful for not buying that one in the first place!!
Correct, it is made in Japan. Less than a month old with 180 miles, it’s already broken. Apparently a bad relay. Zero sound from the alerts and turn signals even after a factory reset. I am beyond disappointed and have thrown away a LOT of money. Crappy dealership does not even care!!
No, but I took a loss - in my opinion, for the fully loaded Outback. The dealer seemed completely deaf to the issues I was having so I threw in the towel - had to pay for a new warranty, massive dealer new car fees - just to get rid of a problem. I probably should have fought harder and I will definitely raise holy hell when I drop the car off.
I have a 2023 FW with just 2,200 miles on it so far and i love it so much more coming from a 2021 outback premium with the large screen. You were spot on after getting to own my outback, I wanted more physical buttons and didn't have it. The engine hp doesn’t bother me at all. I think it gets the job done. My mpg is averaging 20mpg. I dont drive it hard but i drive in a lot of traffic and turn off auto start and stop.
Excellent informative review! 👍🏻⭐ I agree with you about the solid button/dial features! I'm an older driver so your exploration of those details is great! 👍🏻 I'm seriously thinking about a Subaru Forester or Crosstrek for my next vehicle. The neighborhood you were driving through is gorgeous, by the way! 😀
Just purchased a 2024 Forester Wilderness. Crashed a 2020 Ford Escape 2.0 Turbo head on with minor injuries (not my fault) but the car was fine. Searched for a month looking at RAV4, CRV, Escape, Outback and Forester. Narrowed it down to RAV4 and Forester and chose the Forester. I couldn’t shake the idea that the mini turbos were just muscled up rats on crack running the wheel waiting to die. After driving the Forester the shopping was over. Good honest review. The power was not an issue but the ride was very comfortable.
I purchased this in pearl white last January 27, 2023. My first ever Subaru and so far so good. It's a smoother drive than my bmw 325 or my 2007 Tundra. However, once the tires wear out I'll be switching to Michelin tires in hopes of better gas mileage and smoother ride. We'll see. I didn't want too much tech or a turbo so i settled for less horsepower. I just wish the gasoline tank was larger and price lower although I got mine for $35,350 out the door.
I test drove one a few weeks ago while Subaru shopping. They ride really nice and the overall package is great. It's great that they still have physical buttons for most stuff and the huge sunroof is awesome. The one thing that kept me from buying one and why I moved up to a Outback Wilderness was the engine. The engine its self was smooth and had some low down grunt, but it really lacked power when getting on the highway or passing vehicles. And this was a empty vehicle, I can't imagine how slow it would be loaded up for an adventure, espcially if you venture up into some elevation. If you drive a Outback with the 2.4 Turbo there is no comparrison, it blows the Forester Wilderness away and is only a few thousand more $. Overall great vehicle and honestly I like the platform more than my Outback, it needs more power though.
Coming from a 2020 Crosstrek with the 2.0l, the 2022 Wilderness has plenty of power for everyday driving. Especially with the lower gears and S# if you're feeling spicy. Does the outback wilderness have more power? Absolutely, but I think it's inaccurate to say the Forester is less than adequate for getting on the HWY or passing.
@@animeuva agreed, around town or if you plan your merges/passes on the highway it would probably be fine. It just felt underpowered to me and really made me question how safe and or tolerable it would be loaded up for a trip, especially at elevation. Subaru should really toss a smaller turbo engine with ~30 more HP in it. That would be ideal.
We're a Subaru family, between kids and grandkids there's 7 late model Subies from Crosstreks, Foresters, Outbacks, and Legacy. Never any problems with any of them, no one gripes about how the CVTs work, seems everyone likes them. A couple of the grandkids wished they had more horses under the hood though, I just tell them to stop racing each other. I drive a '22 Outback Limited, my wife drives a '22 Forester Touring. Both of these cars are perfect for older folks like us.
I own a Forester with the 2.5 boxer engine with a cvt and I have never felt it to be underpowered for my uses. It is not a performance oriented enthusiast car.
I bought brand new 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness and 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Sport last year. The main thing I wanted was 2.5l naturally aspirated engines. Turbo charged engines are not desired, because they wear out the engines faster.
One of the biggest factors when choosing the forester wilderness over the outback wilderness was that giant touch screen. Buttons are way more reliable and much safer
I currently drive a 2010 Escape with the V6. Always had a soft spot for Subaru. Love the Bronco Sport but have heard about a lot of reliability issues but the reviews are glowing. I don’t go offroad as much as I used to but when I do it’s pretty spontaneous. I’m interested in the Crosstrek Wilderness as well as the FW. The crosstrek has too many compromises for me and for a potential family of five, the forester seems more practical. I am hoping to save on fuel over my Escape when she eventually dies. Is the fuel compromise that much different between a Forester Wilderness and say a Forester Limited? Sticker MPG vs real world?
It is AWD yes. There are no mechanical diff locks, however it has "X-Mode" which is what Subaru calls their ability to brake a wheel independently if it is a spinning and another is not.
Would you say that the Foresters non-turbo engine still would provide an adequate towing experience towing 1,500lbs (fully loaded)? Not looking to race up a mountain pass, just not have my foot to the floor at 6,000ft elevation. I like the simplicity of the Forester Wilderness as a daily driver compared to the Outback Wilderness, especially when it comes to maintenance, but not confident about power when it comes to towing.
At elevation towing you're going to be pinned with this N/A engine unfortunately. I'd recommend stepping up to a turbo model if you plan to tow often. The N/A is adequate by itself, but wouldn't want to tow with it.
I was holding off to see the 2025 Forester, I've seen videos of it and I don't care for that front end and the big infotainment screen. I'll be getting a 2024 in a few months. The 2023 had the CD player, the 2024 doesn't but I'm good with that, no CD's anyway. Oh, and where I live inventory is building up along with some discounts now,
A factory receiver is available. There are also aftermarket receivers available, but they may cost you some departure angle clearance and they don't necessarily look as clean as the factory receiver.
Just took delivery and had the dealer installing OEM class 2 2-in receiver. Unfortunately they installed a four flat connector though. Without trailer brakes the max is 1,000 lb
My favorite Subaru is the Crosstrek wilderness!!! And it can tow 3500 pounds because it’s a lighter car and should also be a little faster 0 to 60 like getting on the highways!! Also think it looks better!!
This engine is geared to start gaining speed when it reaches 4500 rpm. Hence why acceleration is slow but its also most efficient when you roll and gas it. Vs just flooring it...
This is naturally aspirated the badlands is turbo charged. However the badlands is 250 hp and can reach 60 mph in 5 seconds. The badlands is a little over 40k this forester wilderness I’m finding new around 33k in my area. What I don’t like about the badlands is how basic the tech is no power rear door the touch screen is extremely outdated the bottom has felt all over it. And I think you have to pay a couple thousand more for a moon roof.
The problem is, like pretty much every crossover and SUV out there, you can load those bulky items, at the expense of no longer having passenger space LOL. Cool the bike fits, but everyone else is walking HAHA!!! I didn't realize the Forester had that much cargo space though with the seats folded down....means my choice for a new car will definitely work fine for my needs....I really want a Forester Wilderness...my wallet says no so....
I like the Wilderness. However, the things I do not like is the Touch Screen and no Manual Transmission Option. Give me normal buttons that do not move and change like they do with a Touch Screen and give me a Manual Transmission Option.
I was a long time Subaru forester owner. The power output is far more than adequate. My daily driver these days is a Daihatsu Hijet S110P (about 50 horsepower?) … the Forester is like a sports car by comparison.
Wish it didn't have that plastic rectangle section on the hood. Doubt it makes any discernable difference and it looks unattractive. Otherwise, I like this overall.
@@EatSleepDrive it's not paint and appears to be black plastic like the other cladding on the car. Definitely not vinyl and doubt it can be removed. Edit: I see you're the video creator so if yoh say it is from touching and seeing it then I guess I'll believe you.
Kurt, one FUNDAMENTAL problem is, Subaru sticks with their naturally aspirated 2.5 which lacks torque and can't compete with modern 1.6 lt turbocharged power plants torque wise. Overtaking semi when fully loaded is sloooow. Haven't you all noticed that over the years it steadily gains weight?
That's a serious question. I also wish reviewers would address it. I'd like to know if on long trips I can pull over for a few hours and stretch out in a sleeping bag. It looks possible with the seats down, but reviewers don't crawl in there to give real perspective.
@@Snd_1911 Subaru's CVT's are considered the best in the market, don't let them scare you away. The Wilderness trims have transmission coolers and are geared lower as to not stress the CVT too much. I wasn't so sure about a CVT in my Outback but after having it for a month now I love it, so smooth.
@@Snd_1911CVT is a continuous variable transmission. It uses a chain and spindle system versus clutch pads and gears. Subaru makes the best and they make them in house. Don’t be afraid of them. A lower gear ratio with a CVT cooler (on wilderness) and the CVT will last the life of the car with regular maintenance.
There's a plastic panel where the normal key ignition would be in the base model. Kind of a strange thing to complain about lol I don't even notice it's there most of the time.
If Communist Biden would allow Americans to pump our own oil again and drop our gasoline prices back to the Trump era at less than $2 per gallon then I’d buy a Wilderness, but with fuel prices over $5 per gallon I simply can’t afford to own a Wilderness as they don’t get very good mileage
@@kjamesjr My previous 11 RAV4 Limited 4WD with the 269hp 3.5 V6 with a 5spd geared automatic transmission got 28mpg on the freeway with the cruise control set on 75mph. My Forester Touring with the 2.5L 182hp 4cyl with a CVT gets 27mpg. So the Subaru with 87 LESS horsepower gets 1 mpg Less mpg because of the CVT. If Subaru would have told the truth about the fuel economy, I would have kept my RAV4 because it had a ton more horsepower and got 1 mpg Better fuel efficiency.
Oh you’re one of those people - the kind that jump at every chance you have to cry about some lackluster aspect of your life and reach for a way to correlate it with a fictitious problem you claim was caused by Biden. You cling to any shred of an opportunity to bring his name into virtually any unrelated topic
I've had the 2023 Forester Wilderness for a month now and I do a lot of diving. Already put on 1500 miles. It's broken in and it is a fantastic vehicle!! I don't know who is saying that the power is just adequate?
Use Sport mode for acceleration and then switch to Intelligent mode for the longer commutes. Sport is VERY peppy. Anyone who feels it's underpowered is carrying a lot of load and wants a sports car. This car is not slow. It's got a lot of pep and the confidence I have in the AWD, all terrain tires, suspension, ground clearance, physical buttons, and simple engine are second to none. Also, the adaptive cruise control is my favorite feature to set on my long commutes. The eyesight technology is amazing.
I had a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid reserved and switched to this vehicle instead. Yeah, you're saving on gas in a Hybrid but those vehicles have much more electronics and complicated engines. In the long run if you need repairs, are you really coming out ahead? I don't want my car completely digital.
I would recommend the Forester Wilderness over the Crosstrek and Outback. The seating position is the best and its all around a perfect size and package. Thank you for your review. 👌
Glad you found it helpful and thanks for the notes!
I mean… a 2.5L DOHC boxer engine, generating 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, isn’t as wild as you’ve made it sound!
If I remember correctly don't be Wilderness versions of the Outback and Crosstrek have slightly more ground clearance? I think I remember someone saying where the Forester was already a tall vehicle they had to sacrifice a small amount of ground clearance due to height Factory in Japan. I don't do any off-roading so the base Forester is fine for me, I just like watching the videos of the wilderness Suberus showing what they can do.
Purchased mine four days ago and I love it. I didn’t see myself ever purchasing a Subaru, so there’s that. My reason for purchasing the Wilderness Forester were reliability. That was tops on my list. I drove and liked the Wilderness Outback, but turbos need time to warm up (that’s what my mechanic tells me). I drive 6-8 miles to work daily. Maybe 20-30 miles total daily. Doesn’t really fit well with how turbos operate. My last turbo (traded it for this) needed THREE turbo replacements in 8 years. Second, I liked the look. I’m not a an outdoors guy, but I start now! The engine isn’t the strongest, but my driving patterns don’t include hard/fast starts. I’ve driven in the highway and had no problems passing. Drove from the low desert to the high desert (3500 elevation) and it had no problem with the hills. Road noice was good. Great ride. You hit everything else. Nice review.
Completely agree! Turbos are nice but a lot of times they are the first major thing to go out in a engine and unless you're racing there's no reason for them. Buying a Forester is about being able to handle environment and for the space not speed.
The panoramic view is amazing
Great review! You have a practical, real-world approach that not many reviewers offer. Your notes about preferring physical controls and a smaller screen long-term were great.
I appreciate that!
The screen. You are so right. I hated the big screen at the dealership, and having all the hvac on a touch screen was a dealbreaker.
I have this car and I totally agree with everything you said. Physical buttons are awesome, I drive always in 'sport sharp' and it is plenty peppy so far. And when you said "It floats" over bumps, that is exactly how I described it when I told someone about taking it off road. Thanks for the review!
I've been tempted to do this on mine lol but been hesitant due to the mpg's. How much are you getting?
I think all of the Wilderness editions are top shelf. I have a '24 SOW, but the Forester looks way better than the normal Forester. Rock on!!
One thing to add to your great review: Wilderness has transmission fluid cooler, which coupled with lower gearing allows for 3000lbs towing rating and better off the line acceleration.
Lower gearing in a CVT?
Biger radiator moter in wilderness for better cooling
2024 Forester s have no Cd Players
@@ItsAlive111lower gearing in the axle gear ratios. That is probably more responsible for the loss of fuel economy than the small 1/2" increase in ground clearance and the all terrain type tires.
@@gregrose8941 No cassette player either
I just reserved a 2023 Forrester wilderness. It should be delivered in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the amazing review. All of the points that you made are valid.
Enjoy it!
I own the Forester wilderness and its anything but a slow car
I just love it i drove a cx5 for 3 years and driving my forester Makes such a big difference
I am almost 2 weeks in to having my 24 FW and the more I drive it, the more I love it. I'm coming from an old honda crv, so anything feels more powerful than what I was driving for the last 15 years. I'm ok with the lack of fuel efficiency because my last vehicle was worse and the engine hasn't even been broken into yet. The ride comfort, visibility and airy feel to the interior space is fantastic. I really appreciate the physical knobs and buttons. I wouldn't have been able to transition from an old car to a new one easily if every single thing about operating the new car was on a digital screen. This last generation forester with the smaller screen is easy to get comfortable with for those of us who are used to non modern vehicles.
Excellent choice! Glad you're enjoying it.
Just bought our 23 forester wilderness today. 70 mile drive home, and we love it so far is all I can say.
Enjoy it!
Jus got one of these 2023. Awesome car and super comfortable to drive. Tested it out on a hilly/basically off-road area of my neighborhood (I’m in nyc, so at sea level for what it’s worth) and it does great. No complaints about noise with A/T tires. They are more of a street A/T. The front camera is awesome and the sound system is worth it.
Was my first Subaru, may not be my last but I got a good first impression. Engine bay actually looks manageable as far as repairs.
I have a 2024 Forester Wilderness (it’s awesome) I love the driving experience
We just bought one of these, but I do have a comment regarding turbocharged engines. In theory, they get better fuel economy, however in most cases, they don't. It takes fuel to make power. If you have a 2.5L Forester engine making 185 HP and a 1.5L Turbo engine making 185 HP, you are using converting the same amount of fuel to make that power. Also, many smaller displacement engines may have a harder time moving all that weight, so they often work harder and stay in boost more often. While that is "fun" to drive (the power), you aren't getting better fuel economy. Power isn't free, you need to burn fuel to make it, so whether you use a 2.5 NA 4 cylinder, a 1.5L Turbo 3 cylinder, a 3.5L V6 or a 5.0 V8, if you're driving is demanding 185 HP, that's how much fuel you will burn to achieve it. From what I've found, most people seem get around 26 MPG with these Foresters. Our Sorento (2.0L Turbo four cylinder), while more powerful (240 HP) gets about 20 MPG. And while I don't HAVE to use premium fuel in it, I do (because it seems wrong to put regular gas in a turbo car). So we're fine with the engine the Forester uses since it's more fuel efficient and will likely be more reliable in the long run than our Sorento (which we traded in).
Well said, totally agree. Real world fuel economy is much different than ratings.
Good information Jeffer, I have a 22 Rogue with the 1.5T and I'm thinking of getting a Forester Wilderness because I'd like to go back to a normally aspirated 4 banger. I just think the 60 series tires (I like the wheels) just look too small from the side view. I'd like to go with a 65 sidewall, maybe 235 on width. Do you know if I could do that without any modification or lift? (I think it looks lifed enough for what it is) I'll probably never take it off road.
I love my ‘23 Forester Wilderness. I would like to tell prospective buyers after watching this that it has plenty of power for a normal driver. But if you’ve seen too many “Fast and Furious” movies, maybe not.
I test drive the Outback and Forester Wilderness. The difference in acceleration wasn’t huge. Outback was faster with its turbo, but the forester in sport sharp wasn’t exactly a slouch. I bought the forester.
People who complain about the lack of power don't have any clue about driving in reality. Most people don't floorboard the accelerator every time they take off. Even merging onto the freeway doesn't require full throttle applications....anybody who doesn't think that car has enough power, try driving a 30+ year old pickup with a V6, which still has plenty of power in reality.
Too much power just leads to premature wear of drivetrain components from boneheaded drivers....its also a waste of fuel.
My 2005 Ford Taurus had less HP than these Subaru 2.5L 4 cylinder engines....about 30HP less actually, and it had plenty of power for everyday use, nope it wasn't a racecar, it wasn't built to do that, but it was reliable, and it got in the low to mid 30's for fuel economy too....more power means less fuel economy too. As does those undersized turbocharged engines....every time you ask for more power and you hear that turbo spool, your fuel economy just went way downhill....people don't seem to understand that putting a smaller engine in a vehicle that once had a larger engine, but adding a turbo to that little engine might sound cute on paper, but in reality, your overall performance and fuel efficiency goes out the window. Add to that they're typically far less reliable, even less so for those who do not maintain their vehicles properly....skipping or extending oil change intervals really shortens the life of a turbo, and starts clogging up the oil passages and lines pretty quickly.
These cars fly off the lot so quickly in Northern Michigan. Ive been trying and trying to get one, but the are usually sold before they even arrive. So i took the risk too. Bought the next one coming in on the 19th. Praying i love it. It will be a massive upgrade from my 2013 Impreza!
I just test drove both the Outback and Forester Wilderness. You made the right choice. You’ll like a lot.
Update us for sure!
Welcome back Kurt!
Thank you Dale!
The option group doesn't get you a bigger infotainment screen, it adds navigation to the standard eight inch screen. The option group also includes Harman Kardon premium audio and a power liftgate.
got that, I don't need a larger screen. the outbacks is way too large.
just bought mine (leased with the option to buy 20K at the end of lease), tryna save a little on the monthly payments for now. im so excited to pick mine up but i opted to not include this package. i really dont care for the power liftgate, and the subaru speakers are generally good anyway.
Excellent, honest opinion review! I’m rest driving one of these tomorrow
Hi. Excellent and informative review and comparison to other Subaru models! I just leased a 2024 Forester Wilderness edition and so far I really like it! I've never owned a Subaru before but I wholeheartedly agree with what you have described here. Yours is quite a good resource for potential buyers to see!
Hey thanks for a great comprehensive review!
We are sold on the Forester Wilderness because of two (or three) reasons...
First this is Outback #4 for us and I'm getting a little tired of them...
Second is that I don't want the Turbo as we also have a pick up truck with plenty of power.
and the infotainment screen is NOT like the Outback and does give you manual control with buttons or knobs just like "Eatsleepdrive" states.
When I first saw that the Wilderness had a towing rating of 3000# like @cbrider6267 stated I was excited as it would be an option to choose which of our vehicles to tow our snowmobile trailer the Wilderness or our pick up! He is correct that it has a trans cooler, lower final drive gears (4.11) and a little bit different transmission gear ratio that includes a lower "first gear". But I hate to rain on everyone's parade...but according to the 2023 Forester Wilderness owners manual page 408, section 8-12, it states:
When towing a trailer WITH brakes: Wilderness- 3000lbs
When towing a trailer WITHOUT brakes-1000lbs
Again, this is not a deal breaker for us, but it may be for some.
This will be our 8th Subaru!
1st Subaru Brat
Subaru Justy
Imprezza Wagon (precludes Outback)
4 Outbacks (includes 2007 Outback sedan RARE!)
and soon Forester Wilderness
Very glad you found the review helpful! Excellent choice as well, I hope you enjoy your new Subaru!
Pretty standard to have a lower towing requirement for trailers without brakes...makes 100% sense to not tow a heavy trailer if you don't have trailer brakes....it takes a lot of braking power to slow down a vehicle that is towing a trailer, and without the brakes on the trailer to help, it can lead to disasterous consequences, especially with the way a lot of people drive anymore not paying attention, and driving way too fast for conditions.
Hey Kurt. Was surprised and pleased to get a notification about this video. Looking forward to more.
Thanks for sticking around!
Good to gave you back, and from one of my favorite cities - Denver. Always liked Subarus, even though I don't drive one.
Thank you Kevin! Really appreciate the kind words.
It did actually change tone as you said with the transmission. I heard it changing ratios when you were accelerating.
Very well captured in all aspects. Keep Going!!
Went to the dealer yesterday to buy an Outback wilderness, left with a forester wilderness.
Edit: Forester still has plenty of power. Test drove both, not a huge difference in acceleration.
If you don’t mind me asking, what made you change your mind?
@@Nightwatch1986 I liked the look of the forester more. Inside felt more spacious. The forester cabin isn’t as long but it is taller with larger windows. The engine performance is “noticeable”, but not worth the extra cost and maintenance “noticeable”. The forester still has plenty of grunt. It also seemed to drive/handle better. Overall it just felt better.
@@Nightwatch1986 I’ll also say the infotainment center on the outback was god awful. All the features were buried in a large touch screen display. Forester has a nice touchscreen, but also solid buttons and nobs. This is the 2024 model year.
@@kjamesjr Great explanation, thank you! Initially, the Outback caught my attention because of the extra power and ground clearance. But after seeing them on the road I think I came to the conclusion that I don’t like the way they look. Too wagon-ny! I like that the Forester looks more like an suv plus with the other things you mentioned my gut is leaning more to the Forester. Thanks again.
@@Nightwatch1986 You just need to test drive them both. Everyone has different preferences. I thought I wanted the outback until I saw the Forester. Then when I drove both my heart was set on the forester.
I was just looking at the channel yesterday to see if there was a new video. Great review!
Thank you very much for checking back!
Fair and user-friendly review … I have a forester 2019 and enjoy driving it on and off-road, urban and rural … Unfortunately the Wilderness is not yet available in Australia and may not be in the foreseeable future … I’d seriously consider getting one, but by the time it may come here … I may not have the same use for such … I am envious that it is already to folks like yourself …
Same here in New Zealand..
I just traded a fully loaded to the gills Outback for a Forester Wilderness - I am so happy I did. The Outback was one frayed wire away from a complete meltdown. After the FIFTH circuit fried when I was 615 miles away from home and less that TWO weeks after the dealer had it for THREE WEEKS because the fancy premium sound system crapped out and had to be replaced - that was it. The dealership screwed me on the trade - the warranty and the price of the new car AND the guy I was working with passed himself off as the manger of the dealership (he wasn't) - but I own that. when I refused a trade for another fully loaded Outback, their tone dramatically changed. I am 8k more in debt but I have a vehicle that I feel will last me longer than I will need it. The Forester is an amazing vehicle and I am regretful for not buying that one in the first place!!
Unless I'm mistaken, the Forester is built in Japan, while the Outback is built in the USA.
Correct, it is made in Japan. Less than a month old with 180 miles, it’s already broken. Apparently a bad relay. Zero sound from the alerts and turn signals even after a factory reset. I am beyond disappointed and have thrown away a LOT of money. Crappy dealership does not even care!!
@@jimbo0715 You've had to pay money to get that fixed????
No, but I took a loss - in my opinion, for the fully loaded Outback. The dealer seemed completely deaf to the issues I was having so I threw in the towel - had to pay for a new warranty, massive dealer new car fees - just to get rid of a problem. I probably should have fought harder and I will definitely raise holy hell when I drop the car off.
@@jimbo0715 Have you experienced any problems at all with the Forester?
Is that the Geyser Blue?
Great review, so true about the turbo
Thanks! 👍
Very nice job! Thank you. I just bought one today.
I have a 2023 FW with just 2,200 miles on it so far and i love it so much more coming from a 2021 outback premium with the large screen. You were spot on after getting to own my outback, I wanted more physical buttons and didn't have it. The engine hp doesn’t bother me at all. I think it gets the job done. My mpg is averaging 20mpg. I dont drive it hard but i drive in a lot of traffic and turn off auto start and stop.
Great video! Subscribed
Awesome, thank you!
I liked the practicality of that car. Great review!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent informative review! 👍🏻⭐ I agree with you about the solid button/dial features! I'm an older driver so your exploration of those details is great! 👍🏻 I'm seriously thinking about a Subaru Forester or Crosstrek for my next vehicle. The neighborhood you were driving through is gorgeous, by the way! 😀
Just purchased a 2024 Forester Wilderness. Crashed a 2020 Ford Escape 2.0 Turbo head on with minor injuries (not my fault) but the car was fine. Searched for a month looking at RAV4, CRV, Escape, Outback and Forester. Narrowed it down to RAV4 and Forester and chose the Forester. I couldn’t shake the idea that the mini turbos were just muscled up rats on crack running the wheel waiting to die. After driving the Forester the shopping was over. Good honest review. The power was not an issue but the ride was very comfortable.
I purchased this in pearl white last January 27, 2023. My first ever Subaru and so far so good. It's a smoother drive than my bmw 325 or my 2007 Tundra. However, once the tires wear out I'll be switching to Michelin tires in hopes of better gas mileage and smoother ride. We'll see. I didn't want too much tech or a turbo so i settled for less horsepower. I just wish the gasoline tank was larger and price lower although I got mine for $35,350 out the door.
I test drove one a few weeks ago while Subaru shopping. They ride really nice and the overall package is great. It's great that they still have physical buttons for most stuff and the huge sunroof is awesome. The one thing that kept me from buying one and why I moved up to a Outback Wilderness was the engine. The engine its self was smooth and had some low down grunt, but it really lacked power when getting on the highway or passing vehicles. And this was a empty vehicle, I can't imagine how slow it would be loaded up for an adventure, espcially if you venture up into some elevation. If you drive a Outback with the 2.4 Turbo there is no comparrison, it blows the Forester Wilderness away and is only a few thousand more $. Overall great vehicle and honestly I like the platform more than my Outback, it needs more power though.
Coming from a 2020 Crosstrek with the 2.0l, the 2022 Wilderness has plenty of power for everyday driving. Especially with the lower gears and S# if you're feeling spicy. Does the outback wilderness have more power? Absolutely, but I think it's inaccurate to say the Forester is less than adequate for getting on the HWY or passing.
@@animeuva agreed, around town or if you plan your merges/passes on the highway it would probably be fine. It just felt underpowered to me and really made me question how safe and or tolerable it would be loaded up for a trip, especially at elevation. Subaru should really toss a smaller turbo engine with ~30 more HP in it. That would be ideal.
@@huie1983 Look up scotty kilmer the mechanic. He's not a great fan of turbos. A hybrid would give better power and hold up better than a turbo.
Very Good Review - Thank You
We're a Subaru family, between kids and grandkids there's 7 late model Subies from Crosstreks, Foresters, Outbacks, and Legacy. Never any problems with any of them, no one gripes about how the CVTs work, seems everyone likes them. A couple of the grandkids wished they had more horses under the hood though, I just tell them to stop racing each other. I drive a '22 Outback Limited, my wife drives a '22 Forester Touring. Both of these cars are perfect for older folks like us.
Holy shit he's back! Finally!
🙏
I own a Forester with the 2.5 boxer engine with a cvt and I have never felt it to be underpowered for my uses. It is not a performance oriented enthusiast car.
Nice review. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice bike :) Great review
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed,
Great review thanx
Thanks for watching!
I bought brand new 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness and 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Sport last year.
The main thing I wanted was 2.5l naturally aspirated engines. Turbo charged engines are not desired, because they wear out the engines faster.
One of the biggest factors when choosing the forester wilderness over the outback wilderness was that giant touch screen. Buttons are way more reliable and much safer
Good review! keep it up!
I currently drive a 2010 Escape with the V6. Always had a soft spot for Subaru. Love the Bronco Sport but have heard about a lot of reliability issues but the reviews are glowing. I don’t go offroad as much as I used to but when I do it’s pretty spontaneous. I’m interested in the Crosstrek Wilderness as well as the FW. The crosstrek has too many compromises for me and for a potential family of five, the forester seems more practical. I am hoping to save on fuel over my Escape when she eventually dies. Is the fuel compromise that much different between a Forester Wilderness and say a Forester Limited? Sticker MPG vs real world?
I didn’t know about the packages for this car make sure before buying you check that out because my package has less add ons.
Is this all wheel drive? Is there a diff lock?
It is AWD yes. There are no mechanical diff locks, however it has "X-Mode" which is what Subaru calls their ability to brake a wheel independently if it is a spinning and another is not.
Would you say that the Foresters non-turbo engine still would provide an adequate towing experience towing 1,500lbs (fully loaded)? Not looking to race up a mountain pass, just not have my foot to the floor at 6,000ft elevation. I like the simplicity of the Forester Wilderness as a daily driver compared to the Outback Wilderness, especially when it comes to maintenance, but not confident about power when it comes to towing.
At elevation towing you're going to be pinned with this N/A engine unfortunately. I'd recommend stepping up to a turbo model if you plan to tow often. The N/A is adequate by itself, but wouldn't want to tow with it.
Thank you! Sounds like the Outback Wilderness is the better option for me then.
@@EatSleepDrive actually landed on the Mazda CX-50 turbo instead after test driving.
Really great SUV!❤
7:28
" 'm just g'na floor it"
😂
How does it drive on the highway compared to the Outback Wilderness, in terms of refinement and NVH?
Love it
Welcome back! Did you leave LA?
Yes sir. In Colorado now!
Waiting for the 2024. Great to see you 😊
Would have been better with skid plates. If not the transmission and differential, at least the front should have come with a full skid plate.
I was holding off to see the 2025 Forester, I've seen videos of it and I don't care for that front end and the big infotainment screen. I'll be getting a 2024 in a few months. The 2023 had the CD player, the 2024 doesn't but I'm good with that, no CD's anyway. Oh, and where I live inventory is building up along with some discounts now,
Do the backseat fold down flat? Could you sleep in the back?
what's the possibility of adding a 2" hitch
A factory receiver is available. There are also aftermarket receivers available, but they may cost you some departure angle clearance and they don't necessarily look as clean as the factory receiver.
Definitely get the OEM hitch on this car and not a third party version.
Just took delivery and had the dealer installing OEM class 2 2-in receiver. Unfortunately they installed a four flat connector though. Without trailer brakes the max is 1,000 lb
Wow that looks like a road in some car racing game..where is it?
Colorado!
My favorite Subaru is the Crosstrek wilderness!!! And it can tow 3500 pounds because it’s a lighter car and should also be a little faster 0 to 60 like getting on the highways!! Also think it looks better!!
This engine is geared to start gaining speed when it reaches 4500 rpm. Hence why acceleration is slow but its also most efficient when you roll and gas it. Vs just flooring it...
Turbo is great on my outback!
Never mentioned: Effect towing 3000 lbs. has on engine performance and fuel efficiency.
Considering this and a Bronco Sport Badlands. I have been reading that the Ford has issues so leaning more towards Subaru.
This is naturally aspirated the badlands is turbo charged. However the badlands is 250 hp and can reach 60 mph in 5 seconds. The badlands is a little over 40k this forester wilderness I’m finding new around 33k in my area. What I don’t like about the badlands is how basic the tech is no power rear door the touch screen is extremely outdated the bottom has felt all over it. And I think you have to pay a couple thousand more for a moon roof.
@@MarioLuigi-vb3rp thanks! I have decided to wait and see what changes Subaru will make for the 2026 Outback Wilderness.
@@FordEnthusiast413 no problem. I’m eager to get into something new but my 2017 Hyundai is running fine. So I rather wait and see what comes out.
Just bought one
How is it driving so far?
@@Gopinathk17It drives good. I also just bought one. 10/10 would recommend.
Nice review, except no driving without curbs and gutters.
Really like the bike fitment part! Carrying my bike is the main reason why I want to buy a car.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The problem is, like pretty much every crossover and SUV out there, you can load those bulky items, at the expense of no longer having passenger space LOL. Cool the bike fits, but everyone else is walking HAHA!!!
I didn't realize the Forester had that much cargo space though with the seats folded down....means my choice for a new car will definitely work fine for my needs....I really want a Forester Wilderness...my wallet says no so....
Why is it a bad thing to have constant RPMs, and to not feel the car shifting?
I like the Wilderness. However, the things I do not like is the Touch Screen and no Manual Transmission Option. Give me normal buttons that do not move and change like they do with a Touch Screen and give me a Manual Transmission Option.
Subaru really needs to offer a truck. I love my Outback but would like a truck more.
How can a simple engine like this suffer from head gasket issues? or oil leaks?
It doesn’t.
I want these in Europe 😪
Turbo engine and the oil run hotter
PS - Hopefully Subaru will learn that "Buttons Rule"!!
6:17 Man, I do not get 25 MPG city. It's more like 20 MPG.
I've been averaging like 27.8 over 3,500 miles
I was a long time Subaru forester owner. The power output is far more than adequate. My daily driver these days is a Daihatsu Hijet S110P (about 50 horsepower?) … the Forester is like a sports car by comparison.
Wish it didn't have that plastic rectangle section on the hood. Doubt it makes any discernable difference and it looks unattractive. Otherwise, I like this overall.
I believe it's vinyl so could be easily removed. It's not paint.
@@EatSleepDrive it's not paint and appears to be black plastic like the other cladding on the car. Definitely not vinyl and doubt it can be removed. Edit: I see you're the video creator so if yoh say it is from touching and seeing it then I guess I'll believe you.
Having turbo is not mean complicated car nowadays
Do you still owe that 2007 Land Cruiser?
Nope, sold it.
Kurt, one FUNDAMENTAL problem is, Subaru sticks with their naturally aspirated 2.5 which lacks torque and can't compete with modern 1.6 lt turbocharged power plants torque wise. Overtaking semi when fully loaded is sloooow. Haven't you all noticed that over the years it steadily gains weight?
OK Eat Sleep Drive, I know you can drive it, and I know you can eat in it. Can you sleep in the back? No reviews ever even mention it.
😂
That's a serious question. I also wish reviewers would address it. I'd like to know if on long trips I can pull over for a few hours and stretch out in a sleeping bag. It looks possible with the seats down, but reviewers don't crawl in there to give real perspective.
but it still has the CVT transmission. To my mind, a universal eliminator.
I was looking for a transmission comment. CVT is just a big putoff especially for an off-roader.
Can someone please educate me that why CVT transmissions is bad?? Thank you 😊
@@Snd_1911 Subaru's CVT's are considered the best in the market, don't let them scare you away. The Wilderness trims have transmission coolers and are geared lower as to not stress the CVT too much. I wasn't so sure about a CVT in my Outback but after having it for a month now I love it, so smooth.
@@Snd_1911CVT is a continuous variable transmission. It uses a chain and spindle system versus clutch pads and gears. Subaru makes the best and they make them in house. Don’t be afraid of them. A lower gear ratio with a CVT cooler (on wilderness) and the CVT will last the life of the car with regular maintenance.
the ignition key plug is complete trash. no reason for this subaru. make a different part for push start cars.
What’s wrong with the push start
read what is said again. @@ImaYam
@@MrApplesaucestuff are you limited to certain depths of words? Can you elaborate
There's a plastic panel where the normal key ignition would be in the base model. Kind of a strange thing to complain about lol I don't even notice it's there most of the time.
Some people really need something, anything to strongly complain about. I'd hate to see how Mr. Applesauce would react if somebody misgendered him 😂
If Communist Biden would allow Americans to pump our own oil again and drop our gasoline prices back to the Trump era at less than $2 per gallon then I’d buy a Wilderness, but with fuel prices over $5 per gallon I simply can’t afford to own a Wilderness as they don’t get very good mileage
The mileage isn’t horrible. It’s not as good as a Corolla. But it’s better than a Jeep. This isn’t an economy car.
@@kjamesjr My previous 11 RAV4 Limited 4WD with the 269hp 3.5 V6 with a 5spd geared automatic transmission got 28mpg on the freeway with the cruise control set on 75mph.
My Forester Touring with the 2.5L 182hp 4cyl with a CVT gets 27mpg.
So the Subaru with 87 LESS horsepower gets 1 mpg Less mpg because of the CVT.
If Subaru would have told the truth about the fuel economy, I would have kept my RAV4 because it had a ton more horsepower and got 1 mpg Better fuel efficiency.
Oh you’re one of those people - the kind that jump at every chance you have to cry about some lackluster aspect of your life and reach for a way to correlate it with a fictitious problem you claim was caused by Biden. You cling to any shred of an opportunity to bring his name into virtually any unrelated topic