Subaru Forester trim comparison
2025 Subaru Forester Premium vs Wilderness
The Forester Premium starts at $33,385 while the Wilderness is $36,285. That $2,900 gap buys 5 meaningful differences.
$2,900 more is ~$51/month. The question is whether the added equipment will matter to you every week.
Stay with the Premium if keeping roughly $51/month in your budget matters. Step up to the Wilderness only if you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty. That is the real decision hiding inside this $2,900 trim jump.
Think about this as a monthly tradeoff, not just a sticker gap. The Wilderness adds about $51/month on a typical 60-month loan, or around $3,060 more overall with interest.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty.
When both feel the same
Both the Premium and Wilderness share the same continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.
The upgrade math
You are paying $2,900 for 4 measurable differences, which works out to about $725 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 5 specification differences, 2 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | Premium | Wilderness |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $33,385 | $36,285 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.5L flat 4 | 2.5L flat 4 |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 182 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 26 | 25 |
| Highway MPG | 33 | 28 |
| Combined MPG | 29 | 26 |
| Fuel Tank | 16.6 gal | 16.6 gal |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,569 lbs | 3,620 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 104.9" |
| Length | 183.3" | 182.7" |
| Width | 72.0" | 72.2" |
| Height | 68.1" | 68.9" |
| Safety | ||
| NHTSA Overall | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| IIHS Award | TSP+ | TSP+ |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
| Powertrain | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Corrosion | 5yr/unlimited | 5yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2025 Subaru Forester Premium vs Wilderness Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Subaru Forester lineup, the Subaru brand hub, the Compact SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2025 Forester Wilderness cost than the Premium?
The Wilderness starts at $36,285 compared to $33,385 for the Premium. That is a $2,900 difference, or approximately $51/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium and Wilderness have the same engine?
Yes. Both use the 2.5L flat 4 producing 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.
Do the 2025 Forester Premium and Wilderness have the same drivetrain?
Yes. Both come with AWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.
Is the 2025 Forester Premium or Wilderness safer?
Both share the same Subaru Forester platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating and an IIHS TSP+ designation. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.
What warranty does the 2025 Subaru Forester come with?
All 2025 Subaru Forester trims, including both the Premium and Wilderness, come with Subaru's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Which 2025 Subaru Forester trim gets better fuel economy, the Premium or the Wilderness?
The Premium is the more efficient of the two at 29 combined MPG, versus 26 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
Breaking Down the $2,900 Gap
The Wilderness earns its premium. For $2,900 more, you get horsepower and torque, making this one of the more straightforward upgrade decisions in the Forester lineup.
How the Premium and Wilderness Feel Different
The Wilderness has 182 hp versus 180 hp in the Premium. Torque difference of 2 lb-ft between the two. Marginal in daily driving.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The Forester Premium gets 3 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $167 per year or $835 over five years of ownership.
The Short Version
$2,900 more for the Forester Wilderness gets you 4 real differences. At $51/month more, the question is whether those specific changes are things you will use regularly.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Subaru Forester Premium
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the Premium best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Subaru Forester Wilderness
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the Wilderness when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2025 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Subaru or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.