2026 Subaru Forester

Name: 2026 Subaru Forester Review
Brand: Subaru

Release Date: Fall 2025

Estimated Price: Starting around $32,000

With its boxy styling, extra ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, the 2026 Subaru Forester is a solid pick for the more adventurous SUV buyer. But the latest Forester suffers from a lack of performance and comfort. Other top small SUVs are more well-rounded options.Read full review

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2026 Subaru Forester Review

Pros

Better off-road capability than most other small SUVs, especially in Wilderness trim
Spacious interior
Plenty of standard advanced safety features

Cons

Slow acceleration
Overly firm and uncomfortable ride quality
Cargo area is significantly smaller than top-tier rivals

What's new

New Wilderness trim based on the latest generation Forester
Wilderness enhances off-road capability with increased ride height and more capable AWD
Wilderness not available as hybrid
Part of sixth Forester generation that debuted in 2025

Overview

Written by automotive expert Keith Buglewicz

5/16/2025

After introducing an all-new Forester last year, Subaru is doubling down with the new 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness trim. It expands the Forester's already comprehensive off-road capabilities, part of what makes the Forester such a popular choice among small SUV buyers. It also completes the model changeover that started last year, with an all-new design and the introduction of a new hybrid powertrain that adds power and improves fuel economy.

Edmunds spotlight: Wilderness trim

The 2026 Wilderness is based on the latest generation Forester that debuted last year. Subaru did sell a Forester Wilderness last year, but it was a carryover version that was based on the old Forester. The new 2026 Forester Wilderness has multiple upgrades to enhance its off-road capability. Its 9.3 inches of ride height is more than its predecessor offered, and seriously up there compared to other compact SUVs. Subaru also added its dual-mode all-wheel-drive system, with special modes for snow and loose dirt, and deep mud or snow, plus a locking center differential for when things really get tough. It also features improved approach, breakover and departure angles, reducing the chance of bumping the SUV's bottom on obstacles.

Competitors to consider

The small crossover market has no shortage of competitors to the Forester, even if you're looking for a little extra off-road capability. The Ford Bronco Sport Badlands and Nissan Rogue Rock Creek are all more adventurous than other models in their respective lineups, as is the Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian and the new CR-V TrailSport. More generally, you could check out the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson or the all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Subaru Forester on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Forester drive? Despite having the name Sport, the Forester trim level we tested was anything but sporty. Every Forester makes do with an anemic 180-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Even when subjected to our test driver's lead foot, the Forester still took 9.2 seconds to hit 60 mph and couldn't even muster 85 mph in the quarter mile. Multiple editors noted the drivetrain's sluggish acceleration and lazy responses around town, and merging onto LA's freeways was much more stressful than it needed to be. SUVs don't have to be fast, but the Forester always feels too slow.

Handling and braking aren't quite as disappointing, as there's decent levels of grip and emergency stopping power, but it's only average at best. It's not an SUV we'd willingly take on a long, winding scenic route. If your route does lead to some unpaved roads, the Forester will have an advantage over most of the competition, but other compact SUVs are starting to offer Subaru levels of off-road capability.

Comfort

6.5/10

How comfortable is the Forester? The Forester's interior is highlighted by the comfortable front seats. Nicely shaped and well padded, they can accommodate a wide variety of body types. But those seats have to do a lot of work since the ride in our Forester Sport test vehicle was not particularly good. On less than perfect city streets, the Forester felt too stiff and constantly jostled its occupants. But that busy ride was at odds with the amount of pitching fore and aft that happens when you brake or accelerate. The Forester feels unsophisticated here.

The mostly digital climate controls are always visible and coverage from the vents is decent. Road noise is acceptable, and despite the Forester's boxy shape, wind noise isn't much more pronounced than what you'll hear in other compact SUVs. Engine noise is largely subdued, but when you ask for significant acceleration, as you do when merging on the highway, the engine sounds coarse and gets fairly noisy.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? Owners of any recent Subaru will immediately feel at home in the Forester. Its interior is dominated by the 11.6-inch tablet-style display, and the large icons and clear graphics make it easier to read and operate than other systems. Thanks to wide door openings and agreeable seat heights, it's also very easy to get in and out of the Forester. You won't need to climb up, slouch down, or duck your head to get inside.

The Forester's upright driving position gives you a good view of the road ahead, and its boxy styling and large windows make for good visibility. We only wish you didn't have to spring for the top trim level to get a surround-view camera system.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Though not as flashy or modern as what's in competitors like the Kia Sportage, the Forester's tech is fairly easy to use and understand. The available Harman Kardon audio system is definitely worth the extra money.

Subaru's collection of advanced driver aids, known as EyeSight, is comprehensive. But we were disappointed with the operation of some features. The Forester's adaptive cruise control was too conservative and slow to respond, and its lane centering system had the Forester constantly wobbling around in its lane rather than maintaining a steady course ahead. Many of these systems issue beeps and warnings, which can get annoying after a while.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The Forester's upright and boxy styling make it practical, even if it offers less cargo space on paper than the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage. A lack of odd shapes and contours simplifies the loading area, and the higher roof means the Forester can easily swallow taller objects. We found it just as adept, or more so, at hauling cargo as those rival SUVs in our real-world luggage holding test. The rear seats also fold flat to create a level load floor for longer objects.

Inside, the Forester doesn't offer the same number of storage options as its rivals. Center console storage is on the small side, and door pockets are average. Thanks to the wide-opening rear doors and ample headroom, loading a car seat should be easy.

Should you want to tow, you might want to make sure you don't exceed the Forester's relatively low limit of 1,500 pounds. The Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage can tow up to 3,500 pounds and 2,500 pounds, respectively.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? We tested the Forester Sport, which the EPA estimates gets 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving. After our time in the Forester, we think those numbers are a bit optimistic or require very low speeds and a light foot. Keeping up in busy city traffic, or even matching a faster flow of traffic on a highway saw the Forester's efficiency plummet; we rarely saw anything over 25 mpg. On the plus side, the Forester has a pretty big fuel tank, so there's plenty of range for road trips. Also, the Forester only asks for 87 octane; no premium fuel required.

Value

7/10

Is the Forester a good value? The Forester's standard all-wheel drive and other features make it a decent value for the money. But in other areas, such as performance, efficiency and refinement, the Forester comes up short. Most other SUVs in the class can be had with all-wheel drive at the same price point and offer larger cargo areas and better tech. Warranty coverage offered by Subaru is typical. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is for three years/36,000 miles with powertrain coverage going a bit further to five years/60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is for three years/36,000 miles. No free maintenance is offered.

Wildcard

6.5/10

While other manufacturers have made significant changes to styling and infotainment technology, the Forester remains steadfastly, or stubbornly, predictable. The boxy shape, standard all-wheel drive, and extra ground clearance make the Forester more appealing to buyers who deal with a lot of wintry weather or have an adventurous spirit. But those features can only take the Forester so far. Most of its competitors offer all-wheel drive as well as better technology and feel generally more sophisticated. At its best, the Forester feels familiar and competent, but the overall driving experience is dull and dated.

Which Forester does Edmunds recommend?

Subaru hasn't released complete information on the 2026 Forester as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's Forester, we think the Sport trim represents a good value for the added features you get. We'd also consider adding the available option package that includes premium audio, a hands-free power liftgate and reverse automatic braking. If your excursions are more demanding, the Wilderness trim is your best bet.

$36,595

Starting MSRP

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

See All Trims

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MSRP is subject to change and varies based on availability, trim level, option packages, and retailer-installed accessories. MSRP excludes destination and delivery charges, tax, title, registration, and other fees. Retailer sets actual price. See your retailer for details.

2026 Subaru Forester video

Honda CR-V Hybrid vs. Subaru Forester Hybrid: Which Is the Best Hybrid SUV?

NOTE: This video is about the 2025 Subaru Forester, but since the 2026 Subaru Forester is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid marks the first time the brand’s popular SUV has been offered with an electrified powertrain. The specs look good on paper, but is it enough to help the Forester compete with the ever-popular Honda CR-V Hybrid? In this video, Edmunds’ Brian Wong puts the two compact SUVs head-to-head to find out.

2026 Subaru Forester

2026 Subaru Forester Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: Wilderness trim

Competitors to consider

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Forester does Edmunds recommend?

2026 Subaru Forester video

Honda CR-V Hybrid vs. Subaru Forester Hybrid: Which Is the Best Hybrid SUV?

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