Subaru Forester vs Ford Bronco Sport

To create the 2026 Forester Wilderness, Subaru adds all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and improved angles of approach, breakover, and departure. Drivetrain modifications enhance traction, added underbody protection prevents damage when off-roading, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire is ready when you need it. Styling changes convey this model’s rugged capabilities, and Subaru outfits the interior for easy clean-up. All 2026 Forester models get a new center console design and updated protection for rear passengers in a collision.

Verdict: Push the new 2026 Forester Wilderness to its limits, and you’ll be impressed by its off-roading capability. But, even if you’re not planning to traverse challenging terrain, it is comforting to know that the Wilderness offers more competence than a typical crossover SUV when confronted with unexpected situations.

Launched for the 2021 model year, the Ford Bronco Sport is a compact crossover SUV that combines the platform of the Ford Escape with the styling and off-road focus of its namesake. Ford doubles down on that for 2025, adding new option packages to further increase off-road capability, along with tech, styling, and interior updates.

Verdict: The Bronco Sport was designed primarily with off-road enthusiasts in mind, but it’s still a good all-around crossover.