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

- 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
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 183.5 in | 72 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,580 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 35 / 34 / 35 | +35% | $1,900 | 255 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 29 | +12% | $2,300 | 310 |
| Forester Sport/Touring AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | +8% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Forester Wilderness AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 28 / 26 | 0% | $2,600 | 347 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Forester (this car) | 35 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (4)
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.
Not every 2026 Subaru Forester is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Forester years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 99 |
| 2024 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2023 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 74 |
| 2022 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 100 |
| 2021 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 212 |
| 2020 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 603 |
| 2019 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 834 |
| 2018 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 498 |
| 2017 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 592 |
| 2016 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 416 |
| 2015 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 608 |
| 2014 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 364 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →