Forester delivers in many areas, but not performance
Roseville, Calif.- At or near the top of Subaru’s most popular vehicle list is the Forester. The midsize crossover SUV is characterized by its low cost, high value, car-like drive, roomy interior, and standard all-wheel drive that makes it suitable for mild off-roading.
The 2026 Subaru Forester arrives with a few tweaks this year. It debuts the new Wilderness trim that increases off-road capability and redesigned the center console to add additional storage.
Sophistication and refinement
A year ago, Subaru remodeled the Forester interior, updating technology and adding more amenities. The company says the changes have made the Forester more sophisticated and refined. But the SUV also remains rugged and practical, evidenced by its roughly $30,000 starting price.
For the past 13 years, the Forester has enjoyed high sales that haven’t dipped below 117,000. That span includes a record 180,179 sold in 2019 and back-to-back years of roughly 175,000 in 2024 and 2025.
Before going overboard with praise, let’s not forget that like practically all Subaru vehicles, the Forester has a history of uninspiring performance. Frankly, it baffles us that Subaru hasn’t addressed this issue long ago.
Performance
The all-wheel drive Forester employs a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that produces 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and is paired with a variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Forester still won’t win many sprints, due to its 0-60 mph time, a sluggish 7.2 seconds. Fuel economy is 26-33 mpg.
The Forster has 8.7 inches of ground clearance and combines with all-wheel drive for solid off-road capability. Apart from the standard model, all Forester models come equipped with X-Mode, a traction system that provides additional control on slippery surfaces. It has two drive modes – Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud.
The Wilderness model has 9.3 inches ground clearance and is more suited for off-road journeys than practically any crossover SUV. In addition, the more off-road friendly Wilderness has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, more than twice the amount (1,500 pounds) of other Forester models.
Some structural changes for 2025 give the Forester a quieter ride. Previous wind and road noise at highway speeds is no longer an issue. It handles well around town and provides solid ride quality in most driving situations.
AT A GLANCE – 2026 SUBARU FORESTER
- Performance: 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, 180 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 26-33 mpg
- Price estimate: $29,995 to $41,600
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain: 5 years/60,000 miles; roadside assistance: 3 years, 36,000; corrosion: 5 years/unlimited
Safety & Interior
Subaru is known for its attention to safety and the Forester provides many standard driver features, including eyesight driver assist; pre-collision braking system; lane centering and lane departure warning; emergency steering; automatic headlights; and adaptive cruise control.
The upgraded cabin has a larger infotainment screen, an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen. The SUV’s technology makes sense and can be quickly mastered. We like the digital climate controls are visible and there’s also physical buttons and knobs, providing an old-school quality. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard.
Seating is more comfortable up front in the 2025 Forester, and the second row can accommodate three adults. The cargo area measures 29.5 cubic feet of space and expands to 74.4 cubes by folding down the rear seats.
The 2026 Subaru Forester delivers well in many areas, but the company continues to ignore its lack of performance up and down its lineup.
