2026 Subaru Forester





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

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

Performance
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
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
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
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
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.
Fuel Economy
Value
Wildcard
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.






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.
Related 2026 Subaru Forester info
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