Choosing Between the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback Wilderness Is Like Playing “Would You Rather”

If you have kids, you’re likely familiar with the game “Would You Rather.” A pair of choices is offered, and it’s tough to pick one or the other. We’ve just tested all of Subaru’s Wilderness models, the Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback, one after the other, and we really like parts of all of them. Yet, none has ALL of the best attributes of the series, which makes it very hard to pick one. Here are the best attributes of each, along with some cons for the various Subaru Wilderness models.

Subaru Outback Wilderness Best Features- Engine, Infotainment, Heated Steering Wheel, Spare Tire
The Outback Wilderness is all new for 2026 and enters a new generation with many fans. It carries forward the best of the prior generation’s off-pavement capabilities, and it has an all-new infotainment setup, thank goodness. The new infotainment setup is faster, more logical, and it also has some nifty physical buttons at the bottom for important stuff you won’t want to have to hunt and peck to use.

The Outback Wilderness definitely has the line’s best engine. It’s a turbocharged four-cylinder with ample torque. Ahh, ample torque. If only the Forester and Crosstrek could have that. The base gas engine in those models is sorely lacking in grunt, and the hybrids don't have the off-road chops of the Wilderness line. Heck, they don't even have spare tires. Are the hybrids even legit Subarus?

The Wilderness version of the Outback has a full-size matching spare tire. Neither the Crosstrek wilderness (donut) nor the Forester Wilderness (temporary smaller spare) has a matching spare tire. Who uses the spare anyway? Well, our media tester’s spare was nicely muddied up, so somebody apparently does, and they even swapped it off-pavement. Nobody wants a Wilderness without a real spare tire. Crosstrek and Forester owners simply settle for the lesser spares and are thankful they got that.

Last, the Outback Wilderness and Crosstrek Wilderness have a heated steering wheel, and the Forester does not. In a brand so heavily focused on winter driving, this is crazy.  

2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness Cons
From our standpoint, the Outback has just a couple of cons. First, looks.  As a two-time Outback owner and member of a family with six Subies, we just don’t understand the new exterior look. Too blocky, too much black plastic cladding. Second, price. At $49K, the Outback’s price would have us considering a Honda Passport TrailSport if we wanted a bit more vehicle, and a Bronco Sport Badlands if we wanted a bit of a smaller package. $50K is a big number for a brand that built its reputation on value.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Best Features - Visibility & Size
For many shoppers, the form factor of the Forester is the Goldilocks size. It’s almost as big as an Outback inside, but it’s about ten inches shorter. It also has the classic SUV shape, whereas the Outback looks like a squared-off wagon, and the Crosstrek is a crossover.

Visibility is the Forester’s biggest strength. Its side windows and windshield seem huge compared to the Crosstrek, and are even better than the Outback. No vehicle in America can top the visibility in the Forester.

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Cons
The cons of the Forester are in comparison to the other two Subaru models. Its engine is not as good as the turbo in the Outback. Its handling and sporty nature are not as good as the Crosstrek's. And why did Subaru put a spare tire that is almost full-size in the trunk? Why not the same 235 mm width as the other four? We can live with it being temporary, but how much did that compromise save Subaru?

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Best Features - Handling, Price Point, Heated Seats
We get it. Bigger vehicles cost more. But do they actually cost more to make? The Forester and Crosstrek are so similar in so many ways, but the Forester is over 10% more expensive. The Outback is about $10K more. So, the Crosstrek is the value Subie Wilderness pick.

One more plus is the mechanical toggle in the Crosstrek for the heated seats. It’s a great feature that can be operated without taking one’s eyes off the road. Try adjusting the seat temp without looking in a Forester or an Outback. We couldn’t do it.

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Cons
The Crosstrek’s engine lets the car down. Why doesn’t it get the Sport Sharp (S#) mode that the Forester does? Why not a turbo? And last, can’t Crosstrek owners have a real spare? Nobody wants a donut when they get a flat far from home or off pavement.

• Would You Rather? - Subaru Wilderness Game
  Here are some would you rather questions for the Subaru Wilderness Line
  Would you rather have a turbocharged engine or save $10K?
  Would you rather have a heated steering wheel or the best possible visibility?
  Would you rather have a full-size matching spare or a smaller-than-full-size temporary spare? 
  Would you rather have heated seats you can operate without looking, or have to take your eyes off the road and get a turbo?

We love the Subaru line, and the Wilderness trims of the Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback have only made us more interested in the brand. But wouldn’t it be great if each of the various-sized Subies had the full list of features and equipment? At least as options? Tell us your opinion in the comments section below. 

All images by the author.

John Goreham is a 14-year veteran of Torque News. An accomplished writer and a long-time expert in vehicle testing, Goreham also serves as the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association and has a growing social media presence. He’s also a 10-year staff writer and community moderator for Car Talk. Goreham holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an undergraduate Certificate in Marketing. In addition to vehicle and tire content, he offers deep dives into market trends and opinion pieces. You can follow John Goreham on X and TikTok, and connect with him on LinkedIn.