Your children are the most precious cargo you can take with you on any given drive. Even if the drive takes you further into the mountains or along a dusty trail, it is important to pick the right vehicle that will keep your littlest ones safe and secure. How about the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness? Is this a great family vehicle for you?

The accommodating cabin seats up to five and offers tall cargo and pet space. Powered by a 180-horsepower BOXER engine, it also delivers a smooth driving experience and the traction of standard Symmetrical all-wheel drive. It is also one of the safest vehicles in its class, thanks to the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.

By selecting the Wilderness model, you also get a capable look with a more rugged front fascia, improved approach, departure, and breakover angles, underbody protection, additional trim, and unique badging. It also comes with 17-inch matte-black-finished alloy wheels and all-terrain tires. This wheel/tire set raises the ground clearance to 9.3 inches. To tackle tough terrain, the 2026 Forester Wilderness comes with a dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control. As an added bonus, you can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

While it looks rugged and ready to go on a mountain trail, the question remains whether your littlest passengers can enjoy the ride along with your adventurous spirit. Autoblog put that to the test. They found out that with the water-repellent textured StarTex upholstery and easy car seat installation, it can.

The child seats can be placed in the rear, thanks to a set of anchors on the cushion. Removing the head restraints helps to anchor the top tethers in front of the cargo cover on the rear seatbacks. Autoblog was able to do so with “one hand.” They added that “my daughters loved the large windows and long, tinted sunroof.”

The 2026 Forester Wilderness also comes with a set of rubber mats for the front and rear seat floors, as well as for the cargo hold. When you have children, you will expect your vehicle to turn into a mess of spills and food on the floor. Along with the StarTex seats, you can clear after them quite easily.

As for the ride, Autoblog described the 2026 Forester Wilderness as “quiet and smooth.” In all, they concluded that “it’s still charming and roomy, safe, smooth, and comfortable with excellent visibility.” Just right for a family with little ones.

If you have small children and think the 2026 Forester Wilderness is the perfect SUV for them to ride in, given our Southern Idaho climate and terrain, contact us at Twin Falls Subaru to see one soon!