Test bench | Subaru Forester Wilderness Competition

The Subaru Forester Wilderness takes on some tough competitors. The Ford Bronco Sport, the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk and the Toyota RAV4 Trail TRD face it.

Eric LeFrancois
special collaboration

Ford Bronco Sports

Price: from $32,999

Although technically derived from the Escape, the Bronco Sport has a personality of its own. In addition to its adventurous physiognomy, this utility offers some fun advances, such as a bottle opener integrated into the inside hem of its tailgate. Compared to the Wilderness, the Bronco Sport is more dynamic. It is, however, noisier and consumes slightly more fuel. In addition, its seats (at the front) are too narrow and not very comfortable compared to those of its Japanese rival.

Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

Price: from $37,986 (2021)

Off-road, Subaru’s Forester Wilderness can’t repeat the same prowess as the Cherokee Trailhawk. Impossible. However, there is a price to pay for this. The Jeep provides less driving pleasure than the Subaru on the road due to imprecise steering and a more permissive suspension. The Trailhawk’s 3.2L V6 offers quieter performance, better towing capacity, but more fuel consumption. The interior presentation is also starting to date, but in terms of connectivity, the Jeep is still far ahead of the Subaru.

Toyota RAV4 Trail TRD

Price: from $38,350

Of all the rivals featured here, the RAV4 Trail is by far the most economical at the pump. It is also the one with the lowest ground clearance. Faced with the Wilderness, the RAV4 is struggling to pull out of the game, regardless of the terrain on which it operates. Skid plates are optional in the TRD package ($4900). Off-road, the Subaru proves to be more efficient, while on public roads it is more comfortable, quieter and dynamically more pleasant.