Subaru Forester Review 2026: What You’ll Love (and Hate)

from the experts at Invoice Pricing

2026

Subaru

Forester

Enhanced | Subaru | SUV

A Subaru Forester review that shows how the small SUV has changed since its first release as a boxy crossover that could be used for many things. The sixth version of the Forester came out last year. It looks more modern while still having some of its classic features. Each Forester comes with a flat-four motor, basic all-wheel drive, and enough ground clearance to make short trips off-road comfortable. The Forester isn’t completely out of date, though, because the cabin is roomy and made of modern materials that give it a modern feel. The Wilderness trim has finally joined the rest of the Forester range after a year of waiting. This is great news for people who like to go off-road. The Wilderness gets the same update as the basic models did last year. It gets bigger all-terrain tires, a new transmission tune that makes it easier to handle off-road, and a higher ride height of 9.3 inches. The Forester is different enough from earlier models to outperform them, but it looks like a rehash of newer rivals like the Ford Bronco Sport and Mazda CX-50.

What's New?

The all-terrain Wilderness trim gets the same styling update as the rest of the Forester range. It got lost in the woods and missed the redesign for the 2025 model year. The new Wilderness has a shorter final drive ratio for better off-road responsiveness, Snow/Dirt, and Deep Snow/Mud drive settings that can be chosen, a better transmission cooler, bigger all-terrain Yokohama Geolander tires, better approach, departure, and breakover angles to help you get over trail obstacles, and updated suspension tuning with a ground clearance of 9.3 inches (up from 8.7 inches on standard models).

Infotainment & Connectivity

All models except the base model include a huge 11.6-inch tablet for entertainment. The system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly, as well as a charging spot for smartphones. The base model has two 7.0-inch screens that work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Subaru Forester Price and Invoice Pricing

2026 Subaru Forester Starting Price

The 2026 Subaru Forester starts at $29,995. The lineup includes AWD, Premium AWD, Premium Hybrid AWD, Sport AWD, Limited AWD, Wilderness CVT, Sport Hybrid AWD, Limited Hybrid AWD, Touring AWD, and Touring Hybrid AWD. Every Forester includes all-wheel drive, so shoppers do not have to treat AWD as a separate upgrade, as they might on some compact SUVs. Instead, the main pricing differences come from trim level, hybrid availability, comfort features, off-road hardware, and higher-end technology.

What Changes the Final Subaru Forester Price?

Forester pricing can change meaningfully depending on how shoppers plan to use the SUV. A gas Premium or Sport trim may fit buyers who want standard AWD, daily practicality, and a lower entry point. Hybrid trims add a different value equation for shoppers focused on fuel savings and long-term ownership costs. The Wilderness trim offers another pricing path with trail-focused hardware, all-terrain tires, added ground clearance, and capability upgrades that make sense only if buyers will use them beyond normal commuting.

How Invoice Pricing Helps Subaru Forester Shoppers

Invoice pricing helps Forester shoppers compare more than just MSRP. Since every Forester already includes AWD, the bigger question is whether the added cost of hybrid equipment, Limited or Touring comfort features, or Wilderness capability is justified for the buyer’s needs. Invoice pricing provides shoppers with a dealer-side cost reference for the exact Forester trim they are considering, making it easier to evaluate quotes in context. That doesn’t mean every Forester will sell at invoice; availability, incentives, local demand, and dealer fees can still affect the final offer. For more background, read our guide to What Is Invoice Price and How It Works in 2026.

Where to Check Subaru Forester Invoice Pricing

If you are comparing trims, our Dealer Invoice Price Lookup Guide explains how shoppers can research invoice pricing before speaking with dealers. You can also visit our Subaru page to explore the brand lineup, then check invoice pricing for the exact 2026 Subaru Forester trim you are considering.

Engine and Performance

The 2.5-liter flat-four engine under the hood powers all four wheels, and a continuously variable gearbox shifts gears. It can only make 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of power. If you want extra speed, the next Forester Hybrid is the best choice. It’s supposed to have more go-pedal power. The Forester isn’t as fun to drive as the Subaru WRX, despite its dual-pinion electric power steering rack. The steering doesn’t feel very good, and the suspension is mostly set up for ease. If you back the Forester into a corner, it will move around a bit, which could be scary at first until it calms down. The Forester is a nice car to drive if you like to take it easy.

The flat-four engine in the Forester Sport we drove made noise as it went. It took 8.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. However, acceleration seems fine in town, and the engine’s harsh personality is less obvious when the accelerator is lightly pressed.

Fuel Economy

The EPA has not yet rated the 2026 Forester’s gas mileage, but it is likely to be about the same as the 2025 model. The EPA said that the 2025 Forester got 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, but the Sport and Touring trims got only 31 mpg in those categories. On our highway fuel-economy test route at 75 mph, the 2025 Forester in Sport grade got 31 mpg. With its longer final drive ratio and larger tires, the new Wilderness trim is expected to be less fuel-efficient than other trims, though we haven’t tested it yet.

Safety Features

All Subaru models come with EyeSight, a suite of camera-based driver assistance systems. The following are important safety features:

It comes with automatic emergency brakes.
Lane departure warning and assistance come standard to help you stay in your lane.
It comes with adaptive speed control.

Cargo and Towing Capacity

Thanks to a more efficient gearbox cooler, the Forester Wilderness can tow up to 3,500 pounds, the most in its class. The other versions of the 2026 Forester can pull up to 1,500 pounds.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Boxy and strong shape.
It works well off-road.
There is a hybrid option.

Cons

The gas engine exhibits sluggish acceleration.
The infotainment system already appears outdated.
Some aspects feel somewhat outdated compared to competitors.

Check invoice pricing for the exact 2026 Subaru Forester trim you are considering and compare dealer quotes with a stronger baseline before visiting the dealership.

What should you know before buying the 2026 Subaru Forester?

The 2026 Subaru Forester is practical, capable, and still a go-to for all-weather driving, but it’s not without trade-offs. It sticks with a 180-hp flat-four engine that feels sluggish, and the infotainment system is starting to feel a bit outdated. That said, every trim gets standard all-wheel drive, solid safety tech, and a spacious interior. The new Wilderness trim finally gets updated and adds real off-road ability, but unless you need trail-ready features, the Sport trim hits the sweet spot on value and features. If you’re after refinement and speed, you might want to compare it with rivals. If you care more about traction, space, and reliability, the Forester still delivers.