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Subaru introduced the first Forester almost three decades ago, making it one of the founding members of the compact crossover SUV class. That original recipe model continues to be at the core of the form-follows-function ethos of the current sixth-generation Forester, which debuted for the 2025 model year. It still resembles a couple of boxes on wheels, still is not fancy, and still goes farther off-road than you might expect.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
The 2026 Subaru Forester receives a few meaningful updates. A redesigned version of the more rugged Wilderness variant joins the lineup, and Subaru has relocated production of the SUV to its Indiana manufacturing plant. All 2026 Foresters receive a new center console with added utility and revised rear seat belts to improve occupant safety. The 2026 Forester Wilderness brings with it all of the upgrades that came with the 2025 model year redesigned Forester, and adds ground clearance, all-terrain tires, a revised drivetrain, and more.
The Wilderness joins a lineup that also includes Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trim levels. Prices range from $31,445 to $43,045, including the destination charge. Subaru also sells a Forester Hybrid model, but the automaker had not announced any changes to the electrified variant or prices as of this writing.
For this 2026 Forester review, Subaru provided a test vehicle equipped with the Wilderness trim and an option package containing the following upgrades:
The test vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $42,035, including the $1,450 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Lafayette, Indiana, assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Subaru manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Purpose appears to dictate the Subaru Forester's design. The apparent goals? Maximize passenger room, cargo space, outward visibility, safety, and off-roading capability.
So, you get a box in front to cover the engine, and a bigger box in the back to hold people and their stuff. Under the bodywork, Subaru's "ring-shaped reinforcement frame" and compact boxer-type engine contribute to its impressive safety ratings. Meanwhile, the standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and substantial ground clearance ensure the Forester performs well in snow and tackles moderately difficult trails.
The 2026 Forester Wilderness takes things further. It sits higher off the road with extra ground clearance and improved angles of approach, breakover, and departure. Standard all-terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch wheels are ready for unpaved paths, and additional body cladding protects the SUV's lower extremities from damage. Anodized copper accents and Wilderness badges complete this model's more rugged look.
Open any door, and you can easily enter or exit a Forester. Subaru equips the Wilderness to handle getting dirty. It features water-resistant StarTex simulated leather with a new pattern, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. Cleaning up after an adventure should not take long.
My test car had an option package containing a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a navigation system for the 11.6-inch touchscreen Subaru Multimedia Plus infotainment system. Textured dashboard padding, patterned trim strips, and copper-colored accents, stitching, and detailing prevent the inside of the Forester Wilderness from looking plain.
Heated front seats and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat are standard in all but the base Forester. The front passenger's seat lacks height adjustment in most trims, including the Wilderness, but Subaru mounts it high enough off the floor that it does not matter.
Both front seats are comfortable, but Subaru reserves seat ventilation for the Forester Touring. A heated steering wheel is exclusive to the Limited and Touring trims, and heated rear seats are available only on the Touring. Still, the Forester offers plenty of room in the back seat for adults, thanks to the SUV's generous headroom, legroom, and foot room. The seat is reasonably comfortable as well.
Fortunately, most 2026 Foresters feature rear air conditioning vents to help ensure passenger comfort on summer days. Your passengers will appreciate a panoramic glass sunroof, although without tint, included on most trims. Considerable solar heating can roast the Forester's cabin even on a moderately warm day. Subaru provides a shade, but that defeats the point of having the sunroof in the first place.
A new center console debuts in all 2026 Foresters. Equipped with larger cupholders, a new storage slot, and a more comfortable armrest, it represents an improvement. Subaru locates a wireless charging pad just forward of the shifter, which can also serve as a storage tray when not in use.
My test vehicle's option package added a power liftgate, and when it rose, it revealed 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space in a usefully shaped area. There is not much storage space under the load floor, as the Wilderness comes with a full-size, all-terrain spare tire, providing added peace of mind when traveling far from civilization. Fold the 60/40 split rear seat flat, and the Wilderness can handle 69.1 cubic feet of cargo.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Most 2026 Foresters feature an 11.6-inch touchscreen Subaru Multimedia Plus infotainment system. Subaru mounts it in portrait orientation in the center of the dashboard, and surrounds the display with physical controls for stereo volume, radio tuning, temperature control, window defrost/defog functions, and the hazard flashers.
Standard features accompanying the 11.6-inch touchscreen system include:
As you move up the Forester trim-level ladder, the infotainment system adds:
My test vehicle had all these features. Unfortunately, screen clutter, frequent slow response to inputs, and a poor voice-recognition system make using the infotainment system an unpleasant experience. It is better to connect your smartphone and run the wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto technology, though that does not resolve the screen's problems with glare and reflection. Additionally, dust accumulates on the display, further compromising legibility.
During my voice-recognition testing, the Subaru Multimedia Plus system was unable to understand conversational commands. By following the recommended phrases displayed on the touchscreen, I achieved greater success, including with cabin temperature adjustments and seat heating activation. However, the technology frequently misunderstood complex requests, causing frustration.
Fortunately, the optional Harman Kardon premium audio system fills the cabin with quality sound. I also found the 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel relatively easy to use, and really appreciated the old-school trip computer reset button.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
All 2026 Foresters have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) delivers the power to Subaru's Active Torque Split AWD system, which sends it to the wheels with the most grip. Subaru's Dual Mode traction system is standard starting with the Forester Premium, and it includes hill-descent control. The more expensive versions add Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings for more treacherous driving conditions.
The Wilderness trim has several hardware upgrades to support its off-roading mission. They include a shorter final-drive ratio for the CVT, an upgraded transmission cooler to increase towing capacity to 3,500 pounds (up from 3,000 pounds in other Foresters), a raised suspension providing 9.3 inches of ground clearance (up from 8.7 inches in other Forester trims), and 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.
To put the Forester Wilderness to the test, Subaru invited me to Portland, Oregon, where I drove the latest version of this compact SUV on city streets, traffic-clogged freeways, winding highways, and off-road trails of variable difficulty. It proved more capable than a typical crossover, such as a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, and quieter and smoother to drive than a rugged off-roader, like a Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler.
Due to traffic and road conditions, this evaluation did not include hard acceleration from a standstill. Therefore, the Forester's modestly powered engine did not seem feeble, and the CVT did not prove excessively loud. Subaru expertly calibrates the CVT to avoid droning, and the Wilderness benefits from Intelligent and Sport Sharp powertrain modes via the SI-Drive system.
On pavement, the Forester Wilderness was quieter than I expected at highway speeds. On twisty roads, the all-terrain tires likely lose their composure early, but during this test, traffic prevented me from examining that potential characteristic. I can say they offer impressive grip on dirt, gravel, and washboard surfaces, though.
During testing, Subaru instructed me to take a challenging trail that led to a mountain ridge. At first, the Forester Wilderness effortlessly clambered over the terrain. However, halfway up, we encountered a section that looked like it would prove difficult for a more capable SUV, such as a Toyota 4Runner, let alone the Forester Wilderness. It took a few tries, but I found a path through, and the plucky Subaru continued to the crest without further trouble.
As for fuel economy, Subaru estimates the Forester Wilderness will return 26 mpg in combined driving. That is 2-3 mpg less than other Forester variants, and almost 10 mpg shy of the Forester Hybrid. During my testing, the Wilderness averaged 22.7 mpg.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Subaru equips the 2026 Forester with EyeSight as standard equipment. This collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) includes:
In addition, Subaru offers most versions of the 2026 Forester with the following safety features as standard or optional equipment:
The Forester Touring is the only version to offer a surround view camera and Subaru DriverFocus technology, which actively monitors for driver inattention.
During my evaluation, I used the ACC and lane centering assistance systems on Portland-area freeways and the highway that runs along the Columbia on the Washington side of the river. It operated with remarkable refinement, though on a few occasions I did feel it necessary to correct the technology's steering input. Additionally, since the steering wheel does not sense touch, I received several reminders to hold the wheel rim, even though my hands were already on it.
As of this writing, crash test ratings for the 2026 Forester are unavailable. In 2025, the structurally similar SUV earned top five-star ratings in nearly every test conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Similarly, the 2025 Forester received the highest rating of “Good” in most Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluations, and is an overall “Top Safety Pick” for the 2025 calendar year.
Despite these favorable results, Subaru made changes to the 2026 Forester's rear seat belts to enhance safety for passengers riding in the SUV's rear seat.
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Ford Escape ranks highest in the Compact SUV segment. The Jeep Wrangler and the Nissan Rogue are the next highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Nissan Rogue ranks highest in the Compact SUV segment. The Buick Envision and the Mitsubishi Outlander are the next highest-ranked models.
Other 2026 Forester competitors include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Toyota RAV4.
According to verified owners, the Forester earns an award as the highest-ranked model in its segment in the 2025 ALG Residual Value Awards.
