Rugged Utility Refined

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The Subaru Forester has long been a practical favorite. It’s roomy, easy to see out of and confident in bad weather.

The new 2026 Forester Wilderness keeps all of that and adds a fresh layer of refinement and capability that makes it one of the most well-rounded small SUVs on sale.

After a week behind the wheel, it’s clear Subaru hasn’t tried to reinvent the Forester. Instead, it focused on making it a better version of itself.

The sixth-generation model feels sturdier, quieter and more cohesive, but it’s still unmistakably a Forester: boxy, honest and built for real-world usefulness.

The Wilderness trim remains the most distinctive version, wearing black cladding, copper accents and all-terrain tires that lend it instant trail credibility.

With 9.3 inches of ground clearance, upgraded suspension tuning and Subaru’s dual-mode X-MODE all-wheel-drive system, it’s genuinely more capable off pavement than rivals like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 Adventure. It’s not a hardcore off-roader, but it’ll happily take on muddy access roads or snowed-in campsites.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness stands taller with rugged tires, copper accents and 9.3 inches of ground clearance.

On the road, the Forester Wilderness is easygoing and composed. The suspension soaks up rough pavement gracefully, and the steering feels light yet accurate.

There’s a reassuring solidity to the chassis, thanks to the latest Subaru Global Platform, which improves rigidity and keeps body motions well-controlled. Ride comfort is excellent, and road noise is low for a vehicle with aggressive tires.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, routed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It’s smooth and efficient but not quick.

Around town, it feels fine, but freeway merges and uphill passes reveal the powertrain’s limits. The CVT simulates gear steps in its “Sport” mode, yet the lack of a traditional automatic transmission leaves the

Wilderness feeling less responsive than it could be. A bit more power would unlock the chassis’ full potential.

Fuel economy lands at 24 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, fair numbers given its off-road gear and higher stance.

The cabin blends durable materials with smart storage and Subaru’s latest tech for a functional, easygoing environment.

Subaru’s safety suite remains among the best in the business, with standard adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic emergency steering. Visibility is exceptional, aided by generous glass and thin pillars — a rarity in modern SUVs.

Inside, the Wilderness trim features durable StarTex upholstery with copper stitching, easy-to-clean materials and an upright dashboard dominated by an 11.6-inch touchscreen.

Pricing for the Forester Wilderness starts at $38,385, and the tested example — optioned with navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system and a power tailgate — came to $42,035. That’s competitive for a fully equipped all-wheel-drive SUV that can tow up to 3,500 pounds and tackle genuine trails.

Subaru knows its audience well, and this latest Forester Wilderness hits the sweet spot between everyday comfort and outdoorsy confidence. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply satisfying in how well it performs the tasks owners actually need it to do.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness ($38,385). Options: Option Package 33 ($2,200). Price as tested (including $1,450 destination charge): $42,035

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 104.9 in.
Length: 182.9 in.
Width: 81.2 in.
Height: 69.3 in.
Engine: 2.5-liter four cylinder (180 hp, 178 lbs.-ft.)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG: 24 city, 28 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 7
Price: 8
Handling: 8
Ride: 6
Comfort: 7
Quality: 8
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The 2026 Forester delivers real-world versatility, unmatched visibility and authentic off-road capability in a comfortable, everyday-friendly package.

Posted in Subaru

Fast Future for Jeep

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited might be Jeep’s first global EV, but it feels like it’s been practicing for years.

With 500 horsepower on tap and standard all-wheel drive, this midsize SUV rockets forward with instant torque and confidence that few gas-powered Jeeps could match. It’s fast, smooth, and beautifully designed, making it a bold first step into a new era for the brand.

Jeep claims the Limited model can sprint to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, and it absolutely feels that way. Stomp the accelerator and it leaps ahead like a sports sedan, silent except for a faint electric whir.

The rush is addictive, and while the top Launch Edition has 100 more horsepower, the Limited never feels lacking.

If anything, it borders on too much. Its throttle response is so eager that driving smoothly around town takes some finesse, especially in reverse.

Ride quality is another mixed bag. The Wagoneer S feels tightly sprung and can bounce on uneven pavement, but it stays composed through corners and always feels planted.

The Selec-Terrain system offers multiple drive modes — Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand, and Eco — and while its 6.4 inches of ground clearance and road-oriented tires limit serious trail use, the system gives you peace of mind on gravel or muddy tracks.

Think “glamping access road” more than “Rubicon Trail.”

The Wagoneer S Limited’s sleek shape and illuminated grille mark a new design direction for Jeep’s electric era.

Design-wise, the Wagoneer S makes a statement. The long, clean profile, floating rear wing, and illuminated seven-slot grille mark a striking departure from Jeep’s boxy past.

It’s elegant without being strange, a welcome contrast to some of the more eccentric EV shapes out there.

The Limited’s black roof and subtle badging lend it a crisp, upscale look, while the overall proportions hint at both luxury and performance.

Inside, Jeep has gone for quiet sophistication, and it works. The minimalist dashboard wraps around an impressive 45 inches of total screen real estate. Materials feel expensive.

There’s genuine Range Rover inspiration in the layout and finish, though the Jeep costs a fraction of the price. It’s roomy for five passengers, whisper-quiet at speed, and filled with thoughtful touches.

The McIntosh audio system remains one of the best in the business, and the tech integration — especially the optional front passenger screen — makes the cabin feel properly futuristic.

A minimalist, high-tech cabin combines premium materials with more than 45 inches of screen space.

Charging is refreshingly straightforward. Jeep includes either a Level 2 home charger or public charging credits through its Free2move program, and DC fast charging can juice the 100-kWh battery from 20 to 80 percent in about 23 minutes.

Range remains around 300 miles, depending on driving style and temperature.

Still, the Wagoneer S faces a real-world challenge. The Limited trim starts at $66,995 including destination.

Combine that with America’s still-spotty fast-charging network, and it’s easy to see why this might remain a niche choice — at least for now.

But that doesn’t take away from what Jeep has achieved here. The Wagoneer S Limited is fast, refined and genuinely desirable, an SUV that finally gives the Jeep brand a worthy electric flagship.

It’s not perfect, but it’s an exciting start and strong signal of where Jeep is headed.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Jeep Wagoner S Limited 4xE ($65,200). Options: None. Price as tested (including $1,995 destination charge): $67,195

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 113 in.
Length: 192.4 in.
Width: 83.6 in.
Height: 64.8 in.
Power: Dual electric motors (combined 500 hp)
Range: 94 miles
MPGe: 100 city, 85 highway

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 9
Price: 4
Handling: 6
Ride: 7
Comfort: 8
Quality: 7
Overall: 8

WHY BUY IT?

It’s a quick, stylish and comfortable electric SUV that still feels like a Jeep, even without a gas engine.

Posted in Jeep

Effortless Power, Limitless Poise

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The Range Rover has always occupied a strange, wonderful niche — part mountain goat, part limousine.

After a week in the 2025 Range Rover Autobiography P530, it’s clear that Land Rover hasn’t lost the formula. This SUV still makes the impossible seem easy.

It starts the moment you settle into the driver’s seat. The view over the long hood inspires confidence, and the silence at speed makes highways disappear.

The twin-turbo V8 delivers its 523 horsepower with unflappable grace. This isn’t a vehicle that begs to be driven fast, but it has the muscle to surge past slower traffic with a velvet punch. The eight-speed automatic glides through shifts like it’s reading your mind.

Ride quality is extraordinary. Air suspension absorbs broken pavement with casual indifference, and the cabin remains as isolated as a sound booth.

Even on 23-inch wheels, the Autobiography rides like a dream. The chassis feels composed and tight, never floaty or vague, and it’s astonishing how naturally this 5,700-pound SUV shrinks around you.

The 2025 Range Rover’s clean, sculptural design balances elegance and authority with minimalist precision.

The Range Rover’s off-road capability remains its secret party trick. Few owners will test its limits, but knowing it can traverse a muddy trail or climb a steep grade with minimal fuss adds to its mystique. Luxury, after all, is confidence — and the Range Rover delivers it in spades.

Design might be its finest attribute. The 2025 model continues the minimalist, sculptural look introduced in 2022. The clean lines, hidden lighting and flush glass make it look more like an architectural concept than a utility vehicle.

There’s no flash, no chrome excess, just quiet authority. Parked curbside, it radiates confidence without shouting.

Inside, it’s the same story of restraint and perfection. The mix of soft leathers, genuine wood and metal accents feels impeccably curated.

The touchscreen interface replaces almost every button, but it’s fast, clear, and logically arranged — proof that digital controls don’t have to be frustrating.

Inside, the cabin showcases exquisite materials, advanced tech, and serene comfort worthy of a private jet.

Even the climate menus and off-road modes are easy to reach. The attention to detail is staggering, from the stitching to the seat controls shaped like small sculptures.

Of course, such opulence comes at a cost. The as-tested price of $174,705 is breathtaking, and that’s before considering Range Rover’s long-standing reliability reputation. History suggests buyers should budget for the occasional service visit beyond routine maintenance.

Still, for those who can afford it, this SUV offers a level of comfort and craftsmanship that few cars — of any kind — can match.

Fuel economy, at 16 city and 23 highway, is predictably poor, but it’s almost beside the point. The Range Rover isn’t about efficiency. It’s about effortless travel.

Whether crossing continents or crawling up a gravel road to a private lodge, it isolates its occupants from chaos in a way that few vehicles can replicate.

Ultimately, the 2025 Range Rover represents the summit of modern luxury SUVs. It’s not perfect, but perfection isn’t the goal. It’s about serenity, status and the knowledge that no destination is off-limits.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Range Rover Autobiography SWB P530 ($166,400). Options: Premium paint ($1,950), 23-inch wheels ($1,500), towing pack ($1,200), premium interior and storage pack ($740), gloss black interior ($650), cold climate pack ($350), wheel protection pack ($225), handover pack ($65). Price as tested (including $1,625 destination charge): $174,705

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 118 in.
Length: 198.9 in.
Width: 87 in.
Height: 73.6 in.
Engine: 4.4-liter turbocharged eight cylinders (523 hp, 553 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
MPG: 16 city, 23 highway

RATINGS

Style: 10
Performance: 10
Price: 3
Handling: 7
Ride: 10
Comfort: 10
Quality: 7
Overall: 9

WHY BUY IT?

The Range Rover is the rare vehicle that can cross a mountain range in the morning, glide through a gala valet line at night, and make both experiences feel equally effortless.

Posted in Land Rover

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