Makes›Subaru›Forester›2026

2026 Subaru Forester

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.

Subaru Forester
Pictured: Subaru Forester (SL) e-BOXER DSC 8811. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Horsepower
162–180 hp
Transmission
CVT
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
35 combined · 35 city / 34 hwy
Length
183.5 in
Curb weight
3,580 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 42 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2026 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,580 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 35 MPG combined (35 city / 34 highway), 35% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $1,900 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2026

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Forester — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Forester →

Trims, performance & features

Engine162 hp2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Engine180 hp2.5L 4-cyl
TransmissionCVT
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

TouringPremiumWilderness

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Rear automatic brakingStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

Built in: Lafayette, Indiana

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2026 Forester configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV183.5 in72 in68.1 in105.1 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,580 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forester Hybrid AWD Hybrid2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S6)All-Wheel Drive35 / 34 / 35+35%$1,900255
Forester AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S8)All-Wheel Drive26 / 33 / 29+12%$2,300310
Forester Sport/Touring AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S8)All-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28+8%$2,400317
Forester Wilderness AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S8)All-Wheel Drive24 / 28 / 260%$2,600347
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.9 MPG2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Subaru Forester.

Similar 2026 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Subaru Forester (this car)35 MPGNot rated4
2026 Toyota RAV443 MPGNot rated2
2026 Honda CR-V40 MPGNot rated2
2026 Hyundai Tucson38 MPGNot rated6
2026 Mazda CX-526 MPGNot rated0
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee23 MPGNot rated6
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross42 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (4)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Oct 19, 2026 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 26V685000 · 8 vehicles

Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles. The castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened, which can lead to the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.
Risk
A ball joint that separates from the lower control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the left-front lower control arm ball joint assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 16, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRI26.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jul 7, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles

Problem
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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Risk
An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · May 28, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V346000 · 69,663 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge And Attachments · Dec 18, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V889000 · 5,603 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-25. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 2025.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2026 Subaru Forester is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

32Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
6,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other7
Electrical System7
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking6
Visibility/Wiper6
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings4
Structure › Body3
Power Train2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
26/03: 126/05: 526/06: 526/07: 126/08: 526/09: 526/10: 1026/0326/0526/0626/0726/0826/0926/10max 10

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Other Forester years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 Forester35183.5 in★★★★★499
2024 Forester29182.3 in★★★★★231
2023 Forester29182.3 in★★★★★174
2022 Forester29182.3 in★★★★★1100
2021 Forester29182.3 in★★★★★0212
2020 Forester29182.3 in★★★★★0603
2019 Forester29182.3 in★★★★★3834
2018 Forester28181.1 in★★★★★3498
2017 Forester28181.1 inNot rated1592
2016 Forester27181.1 inNot rated3416
2015 Forester27181.1 inNot rated3608
2014 Forester27181.1 inNot rated2364

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →