2026 Subaru Forester

There’s a sea of competitors among compact SUVs, yet the Subaru Forester manages to stand out. That’s because it is — and has been for decades — the go-to choice for buyers who love outdoor adventure, immense practicality, and a strong likelihood of trips with their canine companion. The Forester entered an all-new generation just last year, but retained the traits that loyalists love: standard all-wheel drive, ample ground clearance, excellent safety scores, and high resale value.

Also available is the Subaru Forester Hybrid, which we will review separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact SUVs, including the Subaru Forester.

The big story this year is the introduction of the Subaru Forester Wilderness model. It brings even more ground clearance and added off-road capability to what is already a capable SUV.

The Subaru Forester’s pricing is near that of the Honda CR-V and a bit above other rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Part of the Forester’s value equation, however, is that it includes all-wheel drive standard — a feature that can cost extra on competitors. Those that do have all-wheel drive standard, such as the Mazda CX-50 and Ford Bronco Sport, begin a bit higher than the Forester. Before buying a new Forester SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying.

The Subaru Forester’s resale value is also notable, coming in at above average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The Subaru Forester’s pricing is near that of the Honda CR-V and a bit above other rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Part of the Forester’s value equation, however, is that it includes all-wheel drive standard — a feature that can cost extra on competitors. Those that do have all-wheel drive standard, such as the Mazda CX-50 and Ford Bronco Sport, begin a bit higher than the Forester. Before buying a new Forester SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying.

The Subaru Forester’s resale value is also notable, coming in at above average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The Forester’s 2-row, 5-seater cabin receives some welcome tech and convenience updates yet continues to prioritize its high utility value. For example, the Forester continues with traditional analog gauges that sandwich a small screen for driver information — no slick dual screens such as those found in the Kia Sportage. Still, the infotainment system is upgraded, with all but the Base model deploying an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen. The base version uses a dual 7-inch screen arrangement, with the top used for phone and audio functions and the bottom handling climate and vehicle settings — we’re not big fans of that setup. Higher trims enjoy plusher upholstery, and we particularly like the saddle brown perforated leather in Touring versions, whose front seats finally get ventilation in addition to heat. The new Wilderness model has water-resistant StarTex artificial leather seating surfaces with copper stitching and a Wilderness logo in the headrests.

In general, we like how the Forester’s dashboard has three-dimensional textures on some plastics, along with little splashes of color to create a little more interest. The seats are well-bolstered and comfortable, and the cabin has soft touchpoints where we rest our elbows while driving. There’s plenty of rear headroom and adequate rear legroom, with passengers back there able to tuck their toes under the seat in front.

All 2026 Forester variants feature 60/40-split folding rear seats and slightly more cargo space than before. Beyond the rear seats is 29.6 cubic feet, expanding to 74.4 when those seats are folded (for reference, the Honda CR-V’s best numbers are 39.3/76.5). We appreciate the Forester’s low lift-over height as well. This pragmatism extends to the ceiling, whose intentionally dark headliner hides scuffs from loading gear like bikes.

The 2026 Subaru Forester retains its signature boxy silhouette, but this latest generation has contemporary tweaks and neat details. The grille and headlight design are less disjointed and appear more flush, while the more angular wheel housings create a bold stance. The Forester also touts large windows, which have always given this model above-average outward vision. Ground clearance remains the number most Subaru loyalists know by heart: 8.7 inches. The new Forester Wilderness goes even better with 9.3 inches of ground clearance. It’s also shod in Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires and trim-exclusive 17-inch wheels.

On the side of the rear pillar of the Forester are the words “Symmetrical AWD” in shiny script on a black background. It’s a neat effect that splits the pillar in half and gives the new Forester a sense of motion, like a strafing line on paper. Around the back, a connected taillight replaces the previous boomerang design.

Standard all-wheel drive
More competitors are beginning to make all-wheel drive standard, but it’s a Subaru hallmark. Its Symmetrical system works exceptionally well.

Heated/ventilated front seats
We’re pleased to see these creature comforts make it into the top Touring trim of the Forester SUV.

Infotainment system
Except for the Base model, the 2026 Forester has an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen, displaying sharp graphics and overall user-friendliness.

DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System
Standard in the top Touring trim, this system uses a camera to watch the driver’s face for signs of (you guessed it) distraction, as well as fatigue. It also allows for gesture control to change the temperature.

Rooftop camping
The new Forester Wilderness has standard roof rails with an 800-pound static load capacity (and 176 pounds dynamic). This means it’s ready to be fitted with gear like a rooftop tent for adventurous owners who truly love being in the wilderness.

Emergency Stop Assist
This system activates if the driver becomes unresponsive to warnings when adaptive cruise control is engaged. Should this happen, the Forester slowly eases to a stop, activates the hazard lights, and unlocks the doors. Additionally, those with Starlink Connected Services will call emergency services.

The 2026 Subaru Forester uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with horizontally opposed pistons (as opposed to the much more common inline configuration), giving it the “boxer” designation. This sets the engine lower, contributing to that typical Subaru planted feel. The only other major automaker doing this is Porsche, so Subaru is in good company. The Forester’s engine makes 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. That’s on the lower end for base engines in compact SUVs. Like all other Subaru SUVs, the Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive and features a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The Subaru Forester is rated to tow 1,500 pounds, which is on the lighter side. The Forester Wilderness, however, is rated for up to 3,500 pounds.

3-year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Subaru’s new-vehicle warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first, while powertrain coverage is five years or 60,000 miles. Although Hyundai and Kia have much longer terms, these coverages are typical for the class.

Safety

The Subaru Forester has earned a Top Safety Pick honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the top 5-star score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). All models come with Subaru’s impressive EyeSight safety suite, which includes features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. It also features Emergency Stop Assist, which activates if the driver becomes unresponsive when using adaptive cruise control.