Subaru Wilderness prospect has a 'great future' in Australia, but no news on its arrival
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Bringing the Subaru Wilderness sub-brand to Australia has been years in the making, though Aussies will have to continue holding their breath.
Subaru has no news to share regarding the Australian arrival of off-road-focused Wilderness variants, based on long-running nameplates such as the Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek models.
Subaru's distributor, Inchcape Australia, has been interested in the North American-only Wilderness versions as far back as 2021, but still has yet to announce an arrival date.
Drive previously reported that the introduction of Wilderness specifications – which feature enhancements including an increased ride height, all-terrain tyres, unique wheels, and extra underbody protection – hinged on the arrival of all-new models such as the 2025 Subaru Forester.
MORE: 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid confirmed for Australia, Wilderness still to be locked-in
"[We're] very keen to have Wilderness," said Subaru's then-general manager Blair Read in March 2024.
"[But] with the way model launch timings are working… it [has] provided some challenges for us.
"We now are looking more to the new-generation models for Wilderness to be coming to market, watch this space. But we’re still working hard to bring that here."
MORE: Subaru Wilderness off-road models pushed back for Australia
Twelve months down the line, Subaru's current GM Scott Lawrence, has again told customers to "stay tuned."
"We see a great future for the prospect of Wilderness [in Australia]," Lawrence told Drive.
"We work closely with [Subaru's global parent company], [but we] can’t give any more news on it right now."
"All I can say is watch this space."
MORE: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT off-road pack on sale now in Australia
Subaru has just announced the specifications it will offer as part of the 2025 Forester range in Australia. There are seven unique variants – including three hybrids – though Wilderness does not form part of the launch line-up.
Meantime, Hyundai has begun selling XRT-branded Hyundai Santa Fe off-road special edition in Australia. However, this is upgraded through dealer-fit accessory packs rather than the factory-produced XRT models sold in the United States.
If the new Subaru Forester Wilderness does come to Australia, it's likely to follow the variant's launch in the United States which takes place between September and November 2025.
The post Subaru Wilderness prospect has a 'great future' in Australia, but no news on its arrival appeared first on Drive.
