2.5L · 180 hpEntry
Base
Standard EyeSight® Driver Assist, 11.6″ touchscreen, 17″ alloy wheels, cloth seats, full-size spare.
View inventory01The brief
What's new for 2026.
Subaru redesigned the Forester for 2025. The 2026 model adds two things to the lineup: a new Sport Onyx Edition appearance trim, and the first Wilderness built on the redesigned platform.
That last point is the bigger story. When Subaru launched the redesigned Forester for 2025, the Wilderness sat out the redesign and stayed on the previous-generation body for one more year. The 2026 Wilderness is the first one built on the new platform — with 9.3 inches of ground clearance and a 3,500-pound tow rating, up from 9.2 inches and 3,000 pounds.
Symmetrical AWD is standard on every trim. Production stays at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette. EyeSight Driver Assist is included at every price point.
The 2026 Forester at a glance
- Body style
- Compact SUV (6th-gen)
- Drivetrain
- Symmetrical AWD, std.
- Engines
- 2.5L Boxer / 2.5L Hybrid
- Transmission
- Lineartronic® CVT / eCVT
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 in / 9.3 Wilderness
- Towing
- 1,500 lb / 3,500 lb Wilderness
- Cargo, max
- 69.1 cu ft (74.4 on Base)
- Hybrid MPG, combined
- 35 (up to 581 mi range)
02The lineup
Eleven ways to build a Forester.
Eleven configurations total — seven gas trims and four Hybrid trims, all with standard AWD. The Sport Onyx Edition is the new gas trim for 2026.
Gas trims run a 2.5-liter Boxer making 180 horsepower. Hybrid trims add an electric motor for 194 combined horsepower and 35 MPG combined.
2.5L · 180 hpComfort
Premium
All-weather package, power driver seat, dual-zone climate, X-MODE®, DriverFocus®.
View inventory2.5L · 180 hpSport
Sport
Sport-styled exterior, 19″ alloy wheels, water-repellent StarTex® upholstery, paddle shifters with manual mode.
View inventory2.5L · 180 hpLuxury
Limited
Leather, heated front and rear seats, Harman Kardon audio, hands-free liftgate.
View inventory2.5L Boxer · 180 hpOff-road
Wilderness
9.3″ ground clearance, Yokohama Geolandar A/T tires, front skid plate, copper accents, 3,500 lb tow rating, X-MODE® Dual-Function.
View inventory2.5L Hybrid · 194 hpHybrid
Touring Hybrid
Flagship Hybrid: perforated leather, ventilated front seats, panoramic moonroof, 35 MPG combined.
View inventoryThe cards above show six of the eleven configurations. The full lineup also includes the Sport Onyx Edition (gas), the Touring (gas), and three additional Hybrid trims: Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, and Limited Hybrid.
See live 2026 Forester pricing and inventory.
MSRP, dealer pricing, current incentives, and what's on the lot today.
AWD as standard equipment
Symmetrical AWD on every trim, including Base.
Honda and Toyota charge roughly $1,500 extra for AWD on most CR-V and RAV4 trims. The Forester includes it on every configuration. Front-wheel-drive isn't even an option.
03The hardware
The powertrain and the AWD.
Gas trims use a 2.5-liter Boxer at 180 hp. The four Hybrid trims pair that engine with an electric motor for 194 combined hp. Every configuration gets standard AWD.
180 hp
2.5L Boxer · 178 lb-ft torque
194 hp
Hybrid combined · 35 MPG
8.7″
Ground clearance · 9.3″ Wilderness
3,500 lb
Tow rating · Wilderness only
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Power goes to all four wheels, all the time. Most rivals run power to the front wheels and engage the rear only when slip is detected. The Forester's system is permanent.
The flat Boxer engine sits low in the chassis, with weight distributed evenly side-to-side. That gives the Forester better stability in a July monsoon and steadier traction on the dirt roads out to Spring Mountain or Red Rock.
EyeSight Driver Assist — standard
Two stereo cameras at the top of the windshield run adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane centering, and lane-departure warning. Every 2026 Forester gets it. No upgrade required.
IIHS claims data shows reduced rear-end collision rates on EyeSight-equipped Subarus. Current findings here.
Fuel economy
EPA city/highway/combined ratings, by trim:
| Trim | EPA city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|
| Base, Premium, Limited | 26 / 33 / 29 |
| Sport, Sport Onyx Edition, Touring | 25 / 32 / 28 |
| Wilderness all-terrain tires, shorter final drive | 24 / 28 / 26 |
| All four Hybrid trims up to 581 miles of range | 35 / 34 / 35 |
| Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov | |
In Las Vegas summer — June through September, AC running constantly — expect 1–2 MPG below EPA on the gas trims. The Hybrid holds closer to its rating because the electric motor handles AC load at low speeds.
04Crashworthiness
A Top Safety Pick+ from the first model year.
The 2026 Forester earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the highest IIHS designation, on January 7, 2026, and the award was reaffirmed under updated 2026 testing on March 24. It applies to every trim — including Wilderness and the four Hybrids.
The 2026 Forester rides on the same platform Subaru introduced for 2025, which earned a 5-Star Overall NHTSA score. Subaru of America cites that score on its 2026 Forester pages.
NHTSA hasn't published a 2026-specific crash test as of this writing. Latest ratings: NHTSA.gov.
Standard safety equipment
Standard on every 2026 Forester trim:
- Latest-generation EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology
- Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Multiple airbags including front, side-curtain, and driver knee airbag
- Updated rear seat belt design for 2026 (intended to improve rear occupant protection in moderate overlap front crashes per IIHS)
- LATCH child-seat anchors at outboard rear seats
- Rear vision camera
Available on most trims (varies by trim, confirm with Subaru of America):
- Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection (Blind-Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert)
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System
- 360-Degree Surround View Monitor
05The valley
Built for desert heat, monsoon storms, and the dirt roads to Mt Charleston.
Las Vegas is hard on cars. The Forester's standard AWD, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and dust-tolerant cabin filtration handle three local realities: monsoon hydroplaning, dust load on I-215 and I-15, and 110°F summers.
Desert heat and AC load
Surface temperatures across the valley regularly clear 110°F from June through September. Parking-lot temperatures climb higher.
The dust load along I-215 and I-15 is rough on cabin filters. Subaru's recommended replacement interval is 30,000 miles. Las Vegas drivers tend to replace sooner. Findlay's service department uses Genuine Subaru OEM filters.
Monsoon flash floods
Las Vegas gets about 4 inches of rain a year — most of it in July and August monsoons that can drop an inch in an hour. Hydroplaning on the 215 spikes during those afternoons.
Standard AWD plus 8.7 inches of ground clearance gives the Forester a margin in standing water that a front-wheel-drive crossover doesn't have.
Recreation access
Findlay sits at 6455 Roy Horn Way, in the southwest valley near the I-215 Beltway. Approximate distances and drive times below; actual times vary by traffic.
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop~17 mi~25 min
Lake Mead · Hemenway Harbor~28 mi~35 min
Mt Charleston · Lee Canyon~42 mi~55 min
Valley of Fire State Park~58 mi~1 hr
Zion National Park~163 mi~2h 50m
Bryce Canyon National Park~258 mi~4h 15m
Grand Canyon · South Rim~277 mi~4h 30m
Roof rails are standard on Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring. Available on Premium. Rated for 176 lb dynamic and 800 lb static, with the Wilderness rails reinforced for higher loads. That's enough for a typical Yakima or Thule rack with two kayaks. A rooftop tent fits within the static limit when parked.
06The interior
An upright cabin built for car seats and Costco runs.
Most Forester trims share the same cargo layout — 27.5 cu ft behind the second row, 69.1 cu ft with the seats folded. Base skips the panoramic moonroof and gets a roomier 29.6 / 74.4. Rear legroom is the same across the lineup at 39.4 inches.
27.5 cu ft
Behind row 2 · most trims
69.1 cu ft
Max cargo · most trims, seats folded
39.4″
Second-row legroom
183.3″
Overall length
Premium, Sport, Sport Onyx, Limited, Wilderness, Touring, and all four Hybrids share the 27.5 / 69.1 cu ft layout. Base skips the panoramic moonroof and gets a roomier 29.6 / 74.4.
For context: 2026 Honda CR-V tops out at 76.5 cu ft. 2026 Toyota RAV4 (hybrid-only this year) sits at 69.8. 2026 Subaru Outback gets 80.5. The Forester gives up cargo volume to all three on paper. In practice, the upright body shape and tall door openings make day-to-day loading easier than the numbers suggest.
Second-row legroom: 39.4 inches. That's within a tenth of an inch of the Outback.
The Forester's body is narrower than the Outback or the Ascent. Three rear-facing seats across the bench is a tight fit. Single-seat installs — especially rear-facing infant seats — are easier here because the doors open wide and the roof is tall.
07The competition
Vs. Outback, CR-V, and the redesigned RAV4.
CR-V Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid both beat the Forester Hybrid on EPA combined MPG. The Forester wins on standard AWD across every trim, on Wilderness ground clearance, and on the wide rear-door opening that makes car-seat install easier.
If you're shopping a Forester in Las Vegas, you're probably also looking at three other vehicles: the Subaru Outback, the Honda CR-V, and the redesigned Toyota RAV4. Here's how the matchups play out.
| The pick 2026 Forester Compact SUV · 6th-gen | 2026 Outback Midsize wagon-SUV | 2026 CR-V Crossover SUV | 2026 RAV4 Hybrid-only | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWD | Standard | Standard | +$1,500 | Available |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 / 9.3″ | 8.7 / 9.5″ | 7.8 / 8.2″ | 8.1 / 8.5″ |
| Hybrid MPG combined | 35 | — not offered | 37 (AWD) | 38–42 (AWD) |
| Cargo, max | 69.1 cu ft(74.4 on Base) | 80.5 cu ft | 76.5 cu ft | 69.8 cu ft |
| Towing | 3,500 lb (Wild.) | 3,500 lb (2.4T) | 1,500 / 1,000 lb | 3,500 lb (HEV/PHEV) |
| Std. driver assist | EyeSight (latest) | EyeSight (latest) | Honda Sensing | TSS 4.0 |
The pick
2026 Forester
Compact SUV · 6th-gen
vs.
2026 Outback
Midsize wagon-SUV
- AWD
- Standard
- Standard
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 / 9.3″
- 8.7 / 9.5″
- Hybrid MPG combined
- 35
- — not offered
- Cargo, max
- 69.1 cu ft
- 80.5 cu ft
- Towing
- 3,500 lb (Wild.)
- 3,500 lb (2.4T)
- Std. driver assist
- EyeSight (latest)
- EyeSight (latest)
The pick
2026 Forester
Compact SUV · 6th-gen
vs.
2026 CR-V
Crossover SUV
- AWD
- Standard
- +$1,500
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 / 9.3″
- 7.8 / 8.2″
- Hybrid MPG combined
- 35
- 37 (AWD)
- Cargo, max
- 69.1 cu ft
- 76.5 cu ft
- Towing
- 3,500 lb (Wild.)
- 1,500 / 1,000 lb
- Std. driver assist
- EyeSight (latest)
- Honda Sensing
The pick
2026 Forester
Compact SUV · 6th-gen
vs.
2026 RAV4
Hybrid-only
- AWD
- Standard
- Available
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 / 9.3″
- 8.1 / 8.5″
- Hybrid MPG combined
- 35
- 38–42 (AWD)
- Cargo, max
- 69.1 cu ft
- 69.8 cu ft
- Towing
- 3,500 lb (Wild.)
- 3,500 lb (HEV/PHEV)
- Std. driver assist
- EyeSight (latest)
- TSS 4.0
How the matchups play out
Vs. Outback. Pick the Forester if you want an easier-to-park crossover, hybrid efficiency (the redesigned 2026 Outback isn't offered as a hybrid), or 3,500-lb towing at a lower MSRP through the Wilderness.
Pick the Outback if you do longer highway trips, want maximum cargo, or want the 2.4-liter turbo. The Forester is naturally aspirated only.
Vs. CR-V. Honda wins on cargo (39.3 vs 27.5 cu ft behind row two on most Forester trims) and on EPA combined for hybrid AWD (37 vs 35).
The Forester wins on AWD as standard (Honda charges roughly $1,500 extra), on ground clearance, and on the latest EyeSight as standard. For Mt Charleston runs and dirt-road weekends, the Forester is the right tool.
Vs. RAV4. Toyota redesigned the RAV4 for 2026 as hybrid-only. FWD is newly available; before, it was AWD-only.
The RAV4 Hybrid AWD wins on combined MPG (38–42 depending on trim). The Forester wins on AWD across every trim, on Wilderness clearance, and on the wide rear-door opening that simplifies car-seat install.
Comparative data sources: 2026 Subaru Forester and Outback figures from subaru.com/vehicles/forester/2026 and media.subaru.com. 2026 Honda CR-V figures from automobiles.honda.com/cr-v. 2026 Toyota RAV4 figures from toyota.com/rav4. Hybrid combined fuel economy figures cross-checked against EPA fueleconomy.gov. AWD pricing reflects published MSRP differential between FWD and AWD trims of comparable equipment level on the manufacturer's consumer site at time of writing; current dealer pricing may differ. Comparative figures verified April 28, 2026 and subject to manufacturer change.
08Where to buy it
Family-owned in Las Vegas since 1971.
Findlay Subaru of Las Vegas is the authorized Subaru of America retailer at 6455 Roy Horn Way, near the I-215 Beltway. General Manager Burton Hughes has led the store since May 2005. Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year, 2023. Documentation fee $499, stated up front.
Part of the Findlay Automotive Group — founded in Las Vegas in 1961, ranked #24 on Automotive News' 2025 Top 150 Dealership Groups list by 2024 sales. Subaru of Las Vegas itself has been family-operated since 1971.
Awards include the 2023 Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year and six consecutive Subaru Customer Commitment Awards (2018–2023).