2026 Subaru Forester
2026 Subaru Forester — NHTSA overall rating 5/5.
Trim: Sport
Unverified trim photo — may not match this trim exactly
Other years
2026 Subaru Forester snapshot
As of 2026-07
A used 2026 Subaru Forester typically asks about $28,100 versus a $29,900 starting MSRP when new — roughly 94% retained. The 2026 Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns in our catalog (including Equipment) and 12 owner complaints. Versus 2025, our catalog shows no material spec or trim changes — the older Forester is often the better used buy unless you need a 2026-only fix.
- Est. used asking
Est. used asking
$28,100
94% of MSRP
- Original MSRP
Original MSRP
$29,900
Base-trim starting price
- NHTSA recalls
NHTSA recalls
3
Campaigns in last refresh
- Owner complaints
Owner complaints
12
Top: Electrical System
- NHTSA overall
NHTSA overall
5/5
Crash-test overall
Methodology: Used asking is a labeled retention estimate from curated MSRP + vehicle age (not an appraisal). Recalls/complaints from NHTSA offline enrich.
Are there recalls or complaint patterns on the 2026 Forester?
Yes — 3 recall campaigns and 12 owner complaints for the 2026 Subaru Forester. Scan the list before you write a check.
Recalls
Equipment
2026-07-07
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
Campaign 26V436000
Visibility
2026-05-28
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Campaign 26V346000
Structure
2025-12-18
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.
Campaign 25V889000
Owner complaints
12 complaints. Top components:
- Electrical System3
- Forward Collision Avoidance2
- Unknown Or Other2
- Visibility2
- Visibility/Wiper2
- Power Train1
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defect rates. Source: NHTSA complaints.
Video
Embedded from YouTube. We do not host or claim ownership of this video.
2026 Subaru Forester -- NEW Trims & Features for Less Money! (What’s NEW?)
Video by Car Confections · Watch on YouTube
Photos
Is 2026 worth more than 2025?
Usually no — our catalog shows no material spec or trim lineup changes vs the 2025 Forester. For used shopping, the older year is often the better value unless you need a specific fix or feature from 2026.
How much does a used 2026 Forester cost vs original MSRP?
Expect about $28,100 in typical used asking against a $29,900 starting MSRP — roughly 94% retained on our labeled retention estimate. Use that gap to decide whether a newer year is worth the jump.
- Original MSRP
- $29,900
- Published starting (base-trim) MSRP when new.
- Est. used asking
- $28,100
- Estimated typical used asking from a mass-market retention curve — not a live appraisal or guaranteed sale price. As of 2026-07.
Retains about 94% of MSRP
~$1,800 below MSRP
Opens Edmunds. We may earn a referral commission if you use their tools — it doesn't change the price you see. Figures above are model-year starting MSRP and typical asking, not a guaranteed sale price for a specific VIN.
What should a used buyer know about the 2026 Forester?
The 2026 Subaru Forester is the newest year in our catalog — start here for current specs, then check older years if you want to save money. The 2026 Subaru Forester continues this nameplate in the motomediax catalog. The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV that has been manufactured by Subaru since 1997. The first generation was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon, a style that continued to the second generation, while the third-generation model onwards moved towards a crossover SUV design. A performance model was available for the second-generation Forester in Japan as the Forester STi. NHTSA safety ratings for a representative 2026 configuration (2026 SUBARU FORESTER SUV N/A AWD) include an overall score of 5/5, front crash 5/5, side crash 5/5, and rollover 4/5. For the 2026 model year, published dimensions include overall length 183.5 in, width 72.0 in, height 68.1 in, and wheelbase 105.1 in, with curb weight around 3580.3 lb.
- 3 NHTSA recalls
- NHTSA overall safety 5/5
- Front crash 5/5
- Side crash 5/5
- Rollover 4/5
- Wheelbase 105.1 in
- Curb weight about 3580.3 lb
- About 183.5 × 72.0 in (L×W)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia.
What are the published exterior dimensions?
How long, tall, and wheelbase-spaced this year is on paper, as a blueprint outline.
Schematic diagram, not to exact styling — based on published dimensions
Trim
How does the 2026 stack up on paper?
At a glance: 180 hp, 29 mpg combined. Dig into mechanicals and efficiency below.
Horsepower
180 hp
Combined MPG
29 mpg
What will fuel or charging roughly cost?
Adjust your miles and local energy price for the 2026 selected trim (29 mpg combined). Energy only — not insurance, tires, or a VIN appraisal.
Per year
$1,448
5-year energy
$7,241
- Powertrain
- Gas
- Based on
- 29 mpg combined
- Your inputs
- 12,000 mi/yr · $3.50/gal · 5-year horizon
Compare signal only — local rates and driving mix will differ.
What powertrain and drivetrain does it use?
Mechanical basics for the selected trim — engine, transmission, and drive type.
- Engine
- 2.5L Flat-4
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
How big is it, and what can it carry?
Exterior size, seating, cargo, and towing figures when we have them.
- Length
- 183.5 in
- Width
- 72.0 in
- Height
- 68.1 in
- Wheelbase
- 105.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3580.3 lb
- Seating
- 5
How efficient is this year on fuel or charge?
EPA-style efficiency and range fields from our catalog enrich — useful for YoY compares.
- City MPG
- 26
- Highway MPG
- 33
- Combined MPG
- 29
Efficiency figures are curated / EPA-oriented. Verify on FuelEconomy.gov.
What are the NHTSA crash ratings?
Overall and category scores when NHTSA published them for a representative config.
- Overall
- 5 / 5
- Front crash
- 5 / 5
- Side crash
- 5 / 5
- Rollover
- 4 / 5
- Rated configuration
- 2026 SUBARU FORESTER SUV N/A AWD
Safety from NHTSA; dimensions from vPIC where available.
Trim compare
Pick two trims and scan the gaps that matter — power, efficiency, and capability.
| Spec | Sport | Wilderness |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 180 hp |
| Combined MPG | 29 | — |
| Engine | 2.5L Flat-4 | 2.5L Flat-4 |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Ground clearance | — | 9.2 in |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
Trim index
| Trim | HP | Torque | 0–60 | MPG | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | — | — | 29 | AWD | |
| 180 | — | — | — | AWD |