Subaru · Updated June 2026
Subaru Forester (2026): price, specs & release date
Subaru Forester (2026), released 2026. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: fueleconomy.gov verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
The Subaru Forester (2026) is listed at $29995 on fueleconomy.gov as of 2026-06-27, #10 cheapest of 16 cars (median $29740); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 44/100 pay-blind standing, #9 of 16 in class.
Verified Jun 27, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for Roomy cabin with tall greenhouse and excellent outward visibility/sightlines; Genuine off-road hardware and real trail capability.
- Skip if Underpowered 180-hp flat-four; sluggish acceleration for the segment is a dealbreaker.
Is the Subaru Forester (2026) a good buy?
At $29995, the Subaru Forester (2026) is #10 cheapest of the 16 cars we track, where the median is $29720. On the spec sheet, its mpg combined of 29 is below the median of the 15, its horsepower of 180 is below the median of the 16, and its seats of 5 is at the median of the 16.
Evidence of Record
Our data- Independent labsmeasured it
- 2
- Physical metricsrecorded
- 9
- Outlets on recordall tested
- 2
Two independent labs measured this product across 9 physical metrics — 0-60 mph, 1/4-mile, braking and 6 more. With a second lab on record, each figure comes from more than one independent hands-on source — a measure of how much evidence exists, not a rating of the product.
0-60 mph · 1/4-mile · braking · roadholding · 75-mph highway fuel · 70-mph cruising interior · carry-on suitcases packed · skidpad · weight
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Subaru Forester (2026)
Two whitelisted outlets ran instrumented tests of the 2026 Forester Wilderness. Both praise its roomy, bright cabin with a tall greenhouse and excellent sightlines, plus genuine off-road hardware, but both fault the underpowered 180-hp flat-four and the droning CVT. They diverge sharply on measured acceleration (Car and Driver 8.4s vs MotorTrend 9.4s to 60 mph) and on ride quality (Car and Driver was impressed on-road; MotorTrend found the Wilderness underdamped). Only two instrumented tests surfaced; both are of the Wilderness trim.
Based on 2 reviews · 2 lab-tested · 2026-01-21–2026-04-10
Tested by Car and Driver, MotorTrend
Consistently praised
- Roomy cabin with tall greenhouse and excellent outward visibility/sightlines · 2 sources
- Genuine off-road hardware and real trail capability · 2 sources
- Large real-world cargo hold (12 carry-ons seats-up, 28 folded in C/D's pack test)
Commonly flagged
- Underpowered 180-hp flat-four; sluggish acceleration for the segment · 2 sources
- CVT dulls performance (C/D: 'softens performance'; MT: 'fake shifts... drawn out and harsh') · 2 sources
- Wilderness ride is underdamped with poor body control on undulations
Where reviewers disagree The two instrumented tests split by a full second on the Wilderness's 0-60 mph time — Car and Driver recorded 8.4 sec, MotorTrend 9.4 sec — despite near-identical as-tested vehicles ($42,035 as-tested, ~3,700 lb, same Yokohama Geolandar A/T tires). They also split on ride: Car and Driver was impressed with the Wilderness's on-road ride quality, while MotorTrend found it underdamped and unsettled over larger undulations.
The sources (2)
0-60 mph (Wilderness): 8.4 sec · 0-60 mph (Sport, applied to current model): 8.3 sec · 1/4-mile (Wilderness): 16.7 sec @ 83 mph · Braking, 70-0 mph (Wilderness): 172 ft · Roadholding, 300-ft skidpad (Wilderness): 0.78 g · 75-mph highway fuel economy (Wilderness): 27 mpg · 75-mph highway fuel economy (Sport): 31 mpg · 70-mph cruising interior sound (Wilderness): 69 dBA · Carry-on suitcases packed (rear seats up / folded): 12 / 28
At our test track, the Forester Sport we sampled dragged itself to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, its flat-four engine groaning along the way.
When we drove the Forester Wilderness on- and off-road, we found it plenty capable in the rough stuff and were also impressed with its ride quality on the road.
Roomy interior, comfortable ride, all-terrain Wilderness finally gets updated.
0-60 mph (Wilderness): 9.4 sec · 1/4-mile (Wilderness): 17.2 sec @ 81.1 mph · Braking, 60-0 mph (Wilderness): 118 ft · Braking, 60-0 mph (Touring, prior MT test): 115 ft · Skidpad (Touring, prior MT test): 0.81 g · Curb weight (F/R distribution): 3,700 lb (57/43%)
The boxer engine's 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque struggle against a 3,700-pound SUV.
And over larger undulations, it feels noticeably underdamped, needing multiple spring oscillations to settle back into a smooth ride.
This generation of Forester also enjoys some of the best sightlines of any vehicle on the market.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $29995 US MSRP base 2.5L AWD per ConsumerReports and fueleconomy.gov; full range $29,995–$41,545 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Subaru |
| Released | 2026 |
| Body style | compact SUV |
| Mpg combined | 29 |
| Horsepower | 180 |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Seats | 5 |
| Cargo cuft | — |
| Powertrain | 2.5L flat-4 (Boxer) naturally aspirated, CVT AV-S8 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov (verified 2026-06-15) · corroborated by consumerreports.org. EPA vehicle ID 49530 (2026 Subaru Forester AWD 2.5L): 29 MPG combined (26 city/33 hwy), MSRP $29,995–$37,695, 2.5L 4-cyl AV-S8. ConsumerReports confirms 180 hp, starting $29,995, 5 seats (2+3). Hybrid Forester (ID 50131) achieves 35 MPG combined. Subaru.com notes up to 74.4 cu ft total cargo (seats folded); behind-rear-seat figure not confirmed from accessible source; null entered.
Is the Subaru Forester (2026) worth it vs cheaper cars?
Subaru Forester (2026) against its closest cheaper and pricier cars on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 16 ranked
| Product | Price | Body style | Mpg combined | Horsepower | Drivetrain | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester (2026) this | $29995 | compact SUV | 29 | 180 | AWD | 5 |
| Mazda CX-5 (2026) | $29990 | compact SUV | 26 | 187 | AWD | 5 |
| Ford Escape (2026) | $30350 | compact SUV | 30 | 181 | FWD | 5 |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Subaru Forester (2026)?
Two whitelisted outlets ran instrumented tests of the 2026 Forester Wilderness. Both praise its roomy, bright cabin with a tall greenhouse and excellent sightlines, plus genuine off-road hardware, but both fault the underpowered 180-hp flat-four and the droning CVT. They diverge sharply on measured acceleration (Car and Driver 8.4s vs MotorTrend 9.4s to 60 mph) and on ride quality (Car and Driver was impressed on-road; MotorTrend found the Wilderness underdamped). Only two instrumented tests surfaced; both are of the Wilderness trim. Praised: Roomy cabin with tall greenhouse and excellent outward visibility/sightlines; Genuine off-road hardware and real trail capability; Large real-world cargo hold (12 carry-ons seats-up, 28 folded in C/D's pack test). Flagged: Underpowered 180-hp flat-four; sluggish acceleration for the segment; CVT dulls performance (C/D: 'softens performance'; MT: 'fake shifts... drawn out and harsh'); Wilderness ride is underdamped with poor body control on undulations. (From 2 tester reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
How much does the Subaru Forester (2026) cost?
The Subaru Forester (2026) has a US price of $29995 (US MSRP base 2.5L AWD per ConsumerReports and fueleconomy.gov; full range $29,995–$41,545), as of 2026-06-15.
How does the Subaru Forester (2026) compare on price?
At $29995, the Subaru Forester (2026) is #10 cheapest of the 16 cars we track, where the median is $29720.
When was the Subaru Forester (2026) released?
The Subaru Forester (2026) was released 2026.
What are the Subaru Forester (2026)'s key specs?
Subaru Forester (2026) (Subaru): body style compact SUV, mpg combined 29, horsepower 180, drivetrain AWD, seats 5. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.
Price of record: $29995 at fueleconomy.gov, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Subaru Forester (2026) on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar cars
Nearest in price — swipe to browse. Every pick sourced and dated.
All cars ranked · Open data & methodology · Queryable via MCP
Compare with
Cheaper cars
- Mazda CX-5 (2026) $29990
- Nissan Rogue (2026) $29490
- Hyundai Tucson (2026) $29450
- Toyota Camry (2026) $29100
- Kia Sportage (2026) $28790
- Honda Accord (2026) $28395
Step up
- Ford Escape (2026) $30350
- Honda CR-V (2026) $30920
- Toyota RAV4 (2026) $31900
- Subaru Outback (2026) $34995
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2026) $36900
- Ford F-150 (2026) $37290
More from Subaru
- Subaru Outback (2026) $34995