2026 SUBARU FORESTER BUYER'S GUIDE
What’s New for 2026
The sixth-generation Forester enters its second model year with meaningful updates across the lineup, headlined by the debut of the all-new Forester Wilderness—the most capable Forester ever built.
- New Forester Wilderness trim – 9.3 inches of ground clearance, 3,500-lb tow capacity, all-terrain tires, unique suspension tuning, and available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
- Revised front center console – New cupholder design for 32-oz water bottles, forward storage area, compact shifter, larger armrest, and more console storage.
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist – Now available on Premium (option package) and standard on Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring.
- No price increase – Starting MSRP holds steady at $29,995.
Trim Levels & Pricing
All trims include Symmetrical AWD, 180-hp 2.5L BOXER engine, Lineartronic CVT, and the latest EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. Destination & delivery adds $1,450.
Forester Base
$29,995
$31,445 w/ D&D
- 17-in alloy wheels (dark metallic / machine finish)
- Dual 7.0-in multimedia touchscreens (USB Apple CarPlay / Android Auto)
- Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering
- Steering Responsive LED headlights with High Beam Assist
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Raised roof rails with tie-down points
- SI-DRIVE Engine Performance Management
- 60/40-split folding rear seats, cloth upholstery
- Rear-Vision Camera, TPMS with individual display
Forester Sport
$36,105
$37,555 w/ D&D
- 19-in alloy wheels with bronze finish
- Gloss black front grille, bronze accents / badges
- Gray StarTex® upholstery with brown stitching
- X-MODE Dual Mode (Snow/Dirt + Deep Snow/Mud)
- BSM / RCTA, Auto Emergency Steering, Emergency Lane Keep Assist
- 8-speed manual shift mode with paddle shifters
- Re-tuned sport suspension
- Low-profile gloss black roof rails
Option Pkg 24 (+$1,700): Harman Kardon 11-speaker audio, power rear gate, Reverse Automatic Braking, SI-DRIVE with Sport Sharp mode.
Forester Limited
$37,695
$39,145 w/ D&D
- 18-in alloy wheels (dark metallic / machine finish)
- Perforated leather-trimmed upholstery
- 8-way power passenger seat
- Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Power rear gate (hands-free)
- BSM / RCTA, Auto Emergency Steering, Emergency Lane Keep Assist
- X-MODE Dual Mode System
- LED tube-type front turn signals
Option Pkg 42 (+$1,600): Harman Kardon 11-speaker audio, Navigation, Reverse Automatic Braking.
Forester Wilderness
$38,385
$39,835 w/ D&D
The most capable Forester ever built. Extensive off-road upgrades on the sixth-generation platform:
- 9.3 inches of ground clearance (vs 8.7 standard)
- 17-in matte black wheels with 235mm all-terrain tires
- Full-size spare with all-terrain tire
- 3,500-lb towing capacity (highest ever for Forester)
- Approach: 23.5° / Breakover: 21.0° / Departure: 25.5°
- Shorter CVT final drive ratio for low-speed off-road capability
- X-MODE Dual Mode + Low Speed / Low Ratio Gradient Control
- Wilderness-tuned suspension, external oil cooler
- Water-resistant StarTex® seating, all-weather mats, cargo tray
- Front View Monitor (180°), rear differential temp sensor
- Anti-glare hood decal, anodized copper accents
- Aluminum-alloy underbody protection
Option Pkg 33 (+$2,200): Harman Kardon 11-speaker audio, Navigation, 12.3-in digital gauge cluster with Wilderness graphics, power rear gate.
Forester Touring
$41,595
$43,045 w/ D&D
- 19-in alloy wheels (dark gray / machine finish)
- 360-Degree Surround View Monitor
- Heated & ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats
- 2-position memory driver's seat & mirrors
- DriverFocus® Driver Monitoring System
- Smart Rear View Mirror
- Harman Kardon 11-speaker audio
- Navigation, Reverse Automatic Braking
- Black or Saddle Brown leather with Ultrasuede® bolsters
Complete Pricing Summary
| Model / Trim | Option | MSRP | MSRP + D&D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester Base | 01 (Std) | $29,995 | $31,445 |
| Forester Premium | 11 (Std) | $33,385 | $34,835 |
| Forester Premium | 15 (Pkg) | $34,585 | $36,035 |
| Forester Sport | 21 (Std) | $36,105 | $37,555 |
| Forester Sport | 24 (Pkg) | $37,805 | $39,255 |
| Forester Limited | 41 (Std) | $37,695 | $39,145 |
| Forester Limited | 42 (Pkg) | $39,295 | $40,745 |
| Forester Wilderness | 31 (Std) | $38,385 | $39,835 |
| Forester Wilderness | 33 (Pkg) | $40,585 | $42,035 |
| Forester Touring | 51 (Std) | $41,595 | $43,045 |
D&D = Destination & Delivery ($1,450; varies in CT, HI, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT; $1,600 to AK). Premium paint options (River Rock Pearl, Daybreak Blue Pearl) add $395.
Available Colors
Standard colors are available across the lineup (availability varies by trim). Two premium paint options are offered for an additional $395:
River Rock Pearl (+$395)
Daybreak Blue Pearl (+$395)
Key Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L DOHC 4-cyl BOXER, direct injection |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm |
| Transmission | Lineartronic CVT (8-spd manual mode on Sport / Wilderness / Limited / Touring) |
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (Active Torque Split) |
| Final Drive Ratio | 3.700 (Wilderness: 4.111) |
| Fuel | Regular 87 AKI |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city / 33 hwy / 29 combined (Sport/Touring: 25/32/28; Wilderness: 24/28/26) |
| Fuel Tank | 16.6 gallons |
| Platform | Subaru Global Platform (10% stiffer torsional rigidity vs prior gen) |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in (Wilderness: 104.9 in) |
| Length / Width / Height | 183.3 / 72.0 / 68.1 in (Wilderness: 182.9 / 72.4 / 69.3 in) |
| Ground Clearance | 8.7 in (Wilderness: 9.3 in) |
| Approach / Breakover / Departure | 19.0° / 19.6° / 24.6° (Wilderness: 23.5° / 21.0° / 25.5°) |
| Turning Circle | 35.4 ft (Wilderness: 34.5 ft) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 lbs (Wilderness: 3,500 lbs) |
| Cargo Volume | 29.6 / 74.4 cu ft (with moonroof: 27.5 / 69.1 cu ft) |
| Headroom (F/R) | 41.2 / 39.6 in (with moonroof: 40.0 / 37.7 in) |
| Legroom (F/R) | 43.3 / 39.4 in |
| Curb Weight | Base: 3,510 lbs – Wilderness: 3,675 lbs |
Safety & Driver Assist
Standard on All Trims (EyeSight)
- Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering
- Pre-Collision Braking
- Lane Departure Warning & Prevention
- Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection
- Lead Vehicle Start Alert
- Rear Seat Reminder
Available (Standard on Sport & Above Unless Noted)
- Blind-Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Automatic Emergency Steering
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- 360° Surround View Monitor (Touring)
- Front View Monitor (Wilderness)
Connected Services & Warranty
MySubaru Companion (5-year trial): SOS emergency assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Maintenance Notifications, Vehicle Health Report, Remote Vehicle Locator.
MySubaru Companion+ (subscription): Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Engine Start with Climate Control, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert, Boundary Alert.
Warranty: 3-year / 36,000-mile basic; 5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain; 24-hour roadside assistance for warranty period. Assembled at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Lafayette, IN (zero-landfill facility).
Shopping Tips
Best value entry point: The Premium at $33,385 adds the larger 11.6-in touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration, power driver's seat, panoramic moonroof, heated seats, and X-MODE—a significant jump in features for the price.
Best option package: The Premium's $1,200 package adds BSM/RCTA and power rear gate—features that normally require a $3,000+ jump to Sport.
For off-road buyers: The Wilderness is the clear choice with 9.3-in ground clearance, all-terrain tires, 3,500-lb tow capacity, and underbody protection. Its $2,200 option package is the only way to get the 12.3-in digital gauge cluster.
For comfort-first buyers: The Touring at $41,595 loads every comfort feature including ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, DriverFocus, smart mirror, Harman Kardon audio, and navigation.
Fuel economy note: All trims run on regular 87-octane fuel. Base/Premium achieve 29 mpg combined. Wilderness drops to 26 mpg combined due to heavier tires and different gearing.
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