Subaru Forester Model Years and History

After its redesign in 2025, the 2026 Subaru Forester is generally a carryover model for its main trims. The significant news for 2026 is the all-terrain-conquering Wilderness trim finally gets a redesign that the rest of the Forester lineup received last year, which incorporates enhanced off-road capability, increased ride height and a more capable AWD. The Forester also receives a redesigned center console with added storage for all trims.

The Subaru Forester is completely redesigned for 2025.

The Subaru Forester carries over with minimal changes for 2024.

The Subaru Forester carries over with minimal changes for 2023.

The Subaru Forester gets a restyled front grille for 2022 and a new Wilderness trim with upgraded roof rails and an increased towing capacity.

The Subaru Forester carries over with minimal changes for 2021.

The Subaru Forester continues into 2020 with only a few minor updates. A rear seat reminder now comes standard across the entire range, so if the driver opens the back door to place items in the rear seat, the car will remind them about it when they arrive at their destination. Subaru has also worked on some of their driver assist technologies for this year with a better version of Subaru's EyeSight tech suite that now includes lane centering and lane departure prevention technology.

The biggest news for 2019 is the addition of the Subaru Forester to the Subaru Global Platform shared with the Impreza, Crosstrek and Ascent. True to its roots, the Forester carries a similar look to its predecessor but now sporting a stronger, lighter, and much quieter chassis with even better suspension. This year's model features a high compression direct injected 2.5L boxer engine producing 182 horsepower paired with a CVT transmission and of course all-wheel-drive. The Forester also now includes a host of camera-based driver assists via its EyeSight advanced Safety System.

The Subaru Forester returns for 2018 with a couple of minor updates and a new special edition. Touring models now come equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard, while that EyeSight system now comes with both high beam assist and reverse auto braking features. Active torque vectoring has also been made standard on the 2.0XT Touring trim. The new Black Edition offers many of the upgrades previously available only on the Turbo model on the 2.5i Premium trim, making it a great choice for anyone who wants all the bells and whistles but for $4500 less than the more powerful XT. The interior of the Black edition also gets upgraded upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching and a gloss black center dash panel.

For 2017, the Subaru Forester receives several exterior updates, including a new front bumper, headlights and restyled grille. Taillights are also new and include LED illumination. A body-color spoiler is now standard on the 2.5i Premium. Inside, saddle brown leather upholstery and trim is a new option, and a redesigned steering wheel across the range features controls for cruise, audio and Bluetooth. A heated steering wheel, keyless access, and push-button start are all standard on Touring models. Sound deadening has been improved, and torque vectoring is now available on models with the 2.0L turbo. Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology now incorporates improved, color cameras with a wider and longer field of view for improved responsiveness. The safety suite also now includes lane-keep assist, and on Limited, Touring and Premium models, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Finally, the power lift gate is now standard on Premium trim.

2016 sees the introduction of Subaru's STARLINK system, providing hands free connectivity and entertainment systems. Practically speaking, this means an improved stereo across the entire Forester line, along with a suite of optional safety features. Premium, Limited and Touring trims are now available with the STARLINK Safety Plus package, which includes emergency assistance, roadside assistance and a diagnostics system. A plus version of the same package adds a stolen vehicle recovery system, a vehicle locator and remote locking and unlocking functions.

Following its complete redesign for 2014, the Subaru Forester enters 2015 with a backup camera now standard across the lineup, and a color multi-function display replaces the previous, simpler display in the 2.5i. Touring models now ride on 18-inch wheels.

The Forester has been completely redesigned for 2014. It features a new exterior and interior as well as a new turbocharged engine. Styling on the base Forester has grown up and become more mature, while the turbocharged version distinguishes its self with a much more aggressive front fascia. The new vehicle is roomier than the one it replaces, even though external dimensions have only grown by a couple of inches.

For 2013, the Subaru Forester receives minimal changes. Specifically, Sky Blue has been dropped as an exterior color, while Marine Blue and Deep Cherry Pearl are new. The All Weather Plus package for X Premium models includes fog lights and a 4.3-inch LCD stereo with an optional back-up camera.

For 2012, the Subaru Forester gets a new optional touch-screen navigation system that offers broadened connectivity and music-interface capabilities, as well as HD Radio. Also, all 2012 Forester models get a height-adjustable driver's seat.

Subaru has updated the Forster's engine for 2011, bumping up the torque and improving gas mileage. A new model, the Touring, has been added to the lineup, which has a few extra features above the Limited, including a back-up camera and dual-zone climate controls. There are still two models with turbocharged engines, but the new Touring trim will replace the Limited.

After a complete redesign for 2009, the third-generation 2010 Subaru Forester has few changes. An optional navigation system adds integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The L.L. Bean edition is no longer available.

The third-generation Subaru Forester is all-new in and out for 2009 and moves more toward becoming a one of a new class of crossover utility vehicles. Symmetrical ll-wheel drive is standard on all Foresters, as is the company's renown 2.5L 4-cylinder boxer engines, which for 2009 has been tweaked to deliver more low-end torque. The Forester is three inches longer and rides on a new platform, with a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase, and the rear end gets double wishbone suspension, which not only makes for better handling, but improves interior room and cargo space. Stability and traction controls are now standard on all models, as well as side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor. Satellite navigation will be available for the first time. Prices on the 2009 Forester range from $19,995 to $29,995.

Changes for the 2008 Subaru Forester include slight changes to the front end treatment and roof rack on Sports 2.5 X and Sports 2.5 XT models. Topaz Gold Metallic, Steel Silver Metallic, and Dark Gray Metallic replace Champagne Gold Opal, Crystal Gray Metallic, and Urban Gray Metallic. Special two-tone paints are also available on L.L. Bean Editions. The L.L. Bean Edition discontinues its load-leveling suspension. Inside, the Sports 2.5 X has added leather, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and brake handle. Both it and the Sports 2.5 XT models get minor interior upgrades like aluminum pedals. Seven upgraded speakers and a subwoofer are now standard in all L.L. Bean and Sports models, as is Sirius satellite radio capability. Traction control now comes standard on automatic-equipped Sports 2.5 XT and 2.5 XT Limited models.

A couple of performance-oriented Sports models join Subaru's Forester line for 2007. The Sports 2.5 X adds sporty trim and an upgraded audio system, while the Sports 2.5 XT adds the 224-horsepower turbocharged engine, other sporty appearance enhancements, and, with automatic transmission, a new performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system. Also for 2007, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is now standard on all models; the top-of-the-line XT Limited model gets larger 17-inch alloy wheels; and the sound systems in all but the base 2.5 X are Sirius satellite radio-compatible and can play MP3 and WMA digital music files. There have also been a few interior changes, with an audio auxiliary input now standard on all but the 2.5 X, and new front door-integrated bottle holders. Non-turbo models sold in California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont now carry the cleaner Partial Zero-Emission Vehicles (PZEV) certification.