Official Forester gallery, click images to enlarge
2026 Subaru Forester release date at Planet Subaru: fall of 2025
On its volume products, including Forester, Subaru
typically introduces all-new models on a five-year product cycle. Take a
look at the way this cycle unfolds on the Forester:
| Model year (and sequence in product cycle): | Change: |
| 2025 (first year) | All new design from the ground up |
| 2026 (second year) | Very similar to prior year |
| 2027 (third year) | Very similar to prior year |
| 2028 (fourth year) | "Refresh": exterior and interior revisions |
| 2029 (fifth year) | Very similar to prior year |
| 2030 (first year) | Cycle repeats...all new design from ground up |
Subaru introduced an all new Forester for the 2025 model year, including a Hybrid version with an arrival several months after the first round of models, so other than some additional Eyesight features (read more below) there aren't changes in 2026 on the trim levels already available. However, we are getting an all-new 2026 Forester Wilderness model! For the 2025 model year, Subaru has been selling the previous-generation Wilderness model alongside the next-generation models of all the other trims. The rough-and-ready Wilderness model, first introduced for the 2022 model year, is moving to the next-generation Forester platform for the 2026 model year.
Highlights:
- New 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness debuts, the most rugged Forester yet
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist now available on all models equipped with Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Starting price of $29,995 MSRP, no increase from previous year
- On sale at Planet now!
After a successful 2025 debut, the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid returns
this year, starting at $34,730 MSRP. The 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid,
along with the rest of the Forester lineup, features a revised gear
selector and cupholder design to improve ergonomics and comfort for the
driver and front passenger.
Joining the lineup this year, the 2026 Subaru Forester Sport Onyx
Edition trim level adds eye-catching 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a
dark metallic finish, dark gray exterior badging, black and gray
StarTex® interior upholstery, a Harman Kardon® speaker system with a
576-watt equivalent amplifier, and more for $36,495 MSRP.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid
All Subaru Forester Hybrid models are powered by a next-generation
series-parallel hybrid system that returns up to 40% better fuel economy
than the non-hybrid Forester, with 194 total system horsepower, and
Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Powered by a specially developed
2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine and electric motors paired with a
Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), the 2026 Subaru
Forester Hybrid is rated by the EPA with a combined total range of 581
miles on a single tank of fuel. The hybrid powertrain in the Subaru
Forester Hybrid was specifically designed to integrate seamlessly into
the existing all-wheel-drive architecture of the Forester, with no loss
of all-wheel-drive capability.
All Forester Hybrid models are equipped with a tablet-style Subaru
11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation system with wireless Apple CarPlay® and
Android Auto™ compatibility, and a 12.3-inch full digital gauge cluster.
2026 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid
Starting at $34,730 MSRP, the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid is
well-equipped with comfort features and an efficient next-generation
hybrid powertrain with legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
Those features include 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, EyeSight® Driver
Assist Technology with Advanced Driver Assist Technology including
Automatic Emergency Steering, Blind-Spot Detection with Rear
Cross-Traffic Alert System, 12.3-inch Full Digital Gauge Cluster, Power
Rear Gate with Hands-Free Foot Activation Sensor, Subaru 11.6-inch
Multimedia Navigation System, and X-MODE® Dual Mode System with Hill
Descent Control.
2026 Subaru Forester Sport Hybrid
With unique interior and exterior style, capability, and efficiency, the
2026 Subaru Forester Sport Hybrid is an exceptional value for $37,930
MSRP. The Forester Sport Hybrid adds 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with
bronze finish, a gloss black front grille, Harman Kardon® speaker system
with 576-watt equivalent amp and 11 speakers, animal-free StarTex®
interior upholstery and Reverse Automatic Braking.
2026 Subaru Forester Limited Hybrid
Adding convenience items such as a Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia
Navigation System, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat,
rain-sensing wipers and more, the 2026 Subaru Forester Limited Hybrid
goes further for $38,995 MSRP. Other features include a Harman Kardon®
speaker system, Reverse Automatic Braking, chrome and black exterior
badging and animal-free StarTex® interior upholstery with blue
stitching.
2026 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid
At the top of the model lineup, the 2026 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid
adds luxury and convenience items for $41,545 MSRP, which is less than
competitors with similar equipment. That includes 19-inch aluminum-alloy
wheels with dark gray and machine finish, Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia
Navigation System with Harman Kardon® speaker system, 360-degree
Surround View Monitor, DriverFocus® Driver Monitoring System, ventilated
front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats (outboard
positions), Smart Rear View Mirror, and leather-trimmed upholstery with
Ultrasuede® inserts.
2026 Subaru Forester Sport Onyx Edition
The 2026 Subaru Forester Sport Onyx Edition adds 19-inch aluminum-alloy
wheels with a dark metallic finish, black integrated front, side, and
rear underguards with gloss black inserts, and dark gray exterior
badging for $36,495 MSRP.
Blending durability and design, the Forester Sport Onyx interior
features black and gray StarTex® upholstery with brown stitching. Black
interior accents are complemented by a simulated leather dash panel,
passenger-side decorative trim with brown stitching, metallic accents,
and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with brown stitching. A Harman
Kardon® speaker system comes standard for exceptional sound quality.
Complementing its bold styling, the Forester Sport Onyx Edition delivers
sharper handling through unique suspension tuning shared with the
Forester Sport that improves driving stability while maintaining ride
comfort, and SI-Drive engine performance management with Intelligent (I)
and Sport Sharp (S#) drive modes.
The new 2026 Subaru Forester Sport Onyx Edition is powered by a
2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 178
pound-feet of torque with low-RPM response for improved drivability
compared to the previous generation. It is paired with a Lineartronic®
Continuously Variable Transmission featuring an 8-speed manual shift
mode with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. A revised Subaru
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, shared with the rest of the Forester
lineup, features quicker center differential lockup and reduced
wheelspin in off-road conditions.
All 2026 Subaru Forester models are assembled at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana.
2026 Subaru Foresteri
Model/Trim
Transmission
Applicable Option (If Available)
MSRP
Forester
CVT
NA
$29,995
Forester Premium
CVT
15
$31,995
Forester Premium Hybrid
CVT
NA
$34,730
Forester Sport
CVT
24
$34,795
Forester Sport Onyx Edition
CVT
NA
$36,495
Forester Sport Hybrid
CVT
NA
$37,930
Forester Wilderness
CVT
33
$36,995
Forester Limited
CVT
42
$35,995
Forester Limited Hybrid
CVT
NA
$38,995
Forester Touring
CVT
NA
$39,995
Forester Touring Hybrid
CVT
NA
$41,545
2026 Subaru Forester Option Packages
Code
Description
MSRP
15
Power Rear Gate + Blind-Spot Detection / Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
$1,200
24
Harman Kardon® Speaker System + Power Rear Gate + Reverse Automatic Braking
$1,700
33
Harman Kardon® Speaker System + Navigation + Power Rear Gate + Digital Gauge Cluster
$2,200
42
Harman Kardon® Speaker System + Navigation + Reverse Automatic Braking
$1,600
2026 Subaru Forester Paint Options
Premium Paint (River Rock Pearl, Daybreak Blue Pearl)
$395
- New 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness debuts, the most rugged Forester yet
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist now available on all models equipped with Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Starting price of $29,995 MSRP, no increase from previous year
- On sale at Planet now!
Joining the lineup this year, the 2026 Subaru Forester Sport Onyx Edition trim level adds eye-catching 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a dark metallic finish, dark gray exterior badging, black and gray StarTex® interior upholstery, a Harman Kardon® speaker system with a 576-watt equivalent amplifier, and more for $36,495 MSRP.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid
All Subaru Forester Hybrid models are powered by a next-generation series-parallel hybrid system that returns up to 40% better fuel economy than the non-hybrid Forester, with 194 total system horsepower, and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Powered by a specially developed 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine and electric motors paired with a Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid is rated by the EPA with a combined total range of 581 miles on a single tank of fuel. The hybrid powertrain in the Subaru Forester Hybrid was specifically designed to integrate seamlessly into the existing all-wheel-drive architecture of the Forester, with no loss of all-wheel-drive capability.
All Forester Hybrid models are equipped with a tablet-style Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation system with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, and a 12.3-inch full digital gauge cluster.
2026 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid
Starting at $34,730 MSRP, the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid is well-equipped with comfort features and an efficient next-generation hybrid powertrain with legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Those features include 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology with Advanced Driver Assist Technology including Automatic Emergency Steering, Blind-Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert System, 12.3-inch Full Digital Gauge Cluster, Power Rear Gate with Hands-Free Foot Activation Sensor, Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation System, and X-MODE® Dual Mode System with Hill Descent Control.
2026 Subaru Forester Sport Hybrid
With unique interior and exterior style, capability, and efficiency, the 2026 Subaru Forester Sport Hybrid is an exceptional value for $37,930 MSRP. The Forester Sport Hybrid adds 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with bronze finish, a gloss black front grille, Harman Kardon® speaker system with 576-watt equivalent amp and 11 speakers, animal-free StarTex® interior upholstery and Reverse Automatic Braking.
2026 Subaru Forester Limited Hybrid
Adding convenience items such as a Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation System, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, rain-sensing wipers and more, the 2026 Subaru Forester Limited Hybrid goes further for $38,995 MSRP. Other features include a Harman Kardon® speaker system, Reverse Automatic Braking, chrome and black exterior badging and animal-free StarTex® interior upholstery with blue stitching.
2026 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid
At the top of the model lineup, the 2026 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid adds luxury and convenience items for $41,545 MSRP, which is less than competitors with similar equipment. That includes 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with dark gray and machine finish, Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation System with Harman Kardon® speaker system, 360-degree Surround View Monitor, DriverFocus® Driver Monitoring System, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats (outboard positions), Smart Rear View Mirror, and leather-trimmed upholstery with Ultrasuede® inserts.
2026 Subaru Forester Sport Onyx Edition
The 2026 Subaru Forester Sport Onyx Edition adds 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a dark metallic finish, black integrated front, side, and rear underguards with gloss black inserts, and dark gray exterior badging for $36,495 MSRP.
Blending durability and design, the Forester Sport Onyx interior features black and gray StarTex® upholstery with brown stitching. Black interior accents are complemented by a simulated leather dash panel, passenger-side decorative trim with brown stitching, metallic accents, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with brown stitching. A Harman Kardon® speaker system comes standard for exceptional sound quality. Complementing its bold styling, the Forester Sport Onyx Edition delivers sharper handling through unique suspension tuning shared with the Forester Sport that improves driving stability while maintaining ride comfort, and SI-Drive engine performance management with Intelligent (I) and Sport Sharp (S#) drive modes.
The new 2026 Subaru Forester Sport Onyx Edition is powered by a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque with low-RPM response for improved drivability compared to the previous generation. It is paired with a Lineartronic® Continuously Variable Transmission featuring an 8-speed manual shift mode with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. A revised Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, shared with the rest of the Forester lineup, features quicker center differential lockup and reduced wheelspin in off-road conditions.
All 2026 Subaru Forester models are assembled at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana.
| 2026 Subaru Foresteri | |||
| Model/Trim | Transmission | Applicable Option (If Available) | MSRP |
| Forester | CVT | NA | $29,995 |
| Forester Premium | CVT | 15 | $31,995 |
| Forester Premium Hybrid | CVT | NA | $34,730 |
| Forester Sport | CVT | 24 | $34,795 |
| Forester Sport Onyx Edition | CVT | NA | $36,495 |
| Forester Sport Hybrid | CVT | NA | $37,930 |
| Forester Wilderness | CVT | 33 | $36,995 |
| Forester Limited | CVT | 42 | $35,995 |
| Forester Limited Hybrid | CVT | NA | $38,995 |
| Forester Touring | CVT | NA | $39,995 |
| Forester Touring Hybrid | CVT | NA | $41,545 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester Option Packages | ||
| Code | Description | MSRP |
| 15 | Power Rear Gate + Blind-Spot Detection / Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | $1,200 |
| 24 | Harman Kardon® Speaker System + Power Rear Gate + Reverse Automatic Braking | $1,700 |
| 33 | Harman Kardon® Speaker System + Navigation + Power Rear Gate + Digital Gauge Cluster | $2,200 |
| 42 | Harman Kardon® Speaker System + Navigation + Reverse Automatic Braking | $1,600 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester Paint Options | ||
| Premium Paint (River Rock Pearl, Daybreak Blue Pearl) | $395 | |
These are the changes that Subaru has made to prior Foresters.
| 2025 and newer | Subaru stiffened the chassis by 10% to improve ride and handling, further refined the award-hogging Eyesight
driver assistance technology, installed an 11.6" infotainment system
with wireless CarPlay/AndroidAuto capability, and even added a kick
sensor for the rear tailgate. |
 2019 through 2024 | The
first Forester built on Subaru's "Global Platform," handling agility
improves and cabin noise decreases. It's Subaru's safest-ever Forester,
loaded with technology including first-in-its-class DriverFocus, a driver-distraction mitigation system. Eyesight active safety suite is standard. Horsepower increases to 182 and fuel economy lifts to 33mpg highway. |
 2014 through 2018 | Slightly larger inside and out than the generation it replaces, Introducing a continuously variable transmission lifted fuel economy to 32 mpg from 27. Other new features include the Eyesight driver assistance system, power tailgate, and X-Mode traction control. Outward visibility remains tops in the industry. |
 2009 through 2013 | Prior Foresters felt a little cramped, but sales took off with this larger Forester, bigger than its predecessor in every dimension. Subaru poured on the technology, with standard Vehicle Dynamics Control and six airbags. Optional equipment included touchscreen navigation and Bluetooth. |
 2003 through 2008 | Size remained the same, but Subaru modernized everything. Side air bags became standard on every model, the interior moved upscale, ride quality improved, and appearance moved from utilitarian to stylish. |
 1998 through 2002 | Subaru created the Forester on the Impreza platform, installing a square body and bigger engine. Along with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V (both introduced in 1997), Subaru pioneered the "Small Crossover" segment. It combined the ride height, style, and versatility of a truck-based SUV without the poor fuel economy and sloppy handling. |
For
anyone in the Boston metro area, including the north shore and south shore, Planet is
your source for info about revisions to the 2026 Forester, including
sale and release dates, leasing info, and great deals.
