2026 Subaru Forester: Off-road leaning SUV continues brand’s safety emphasis

Subaru can’t leave its Forester alone, and it’s a good thing. The compact sport utility vehicle’s sixth generation debuted in 2025. This year, the more rugged Wilderness trim has been introduced with a handful of additional upgrades.

Approaching its 30th birthday, the Forester maintains the manufacturer’s signature traits, including symmetrical all-wheel drive. Now, the SUV is further configured toward off-road pursuits.

Its new approach features an increased ground clearance to 9.3 inches, 17-inch alloy wheels equipped with Yokohama all-terrain tires and a host of improved weather-oriented driving modes and transmission tweaks. The towing capacity has also been increased from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds, the boost feasible with an upgraded transmission cooler. Gas mileage averages are 24 miles per gallon in city driving, 28 mpg on the highway.

For 2026, Foresters also feature a revised interior. Cupholders are larger, the shifter is small and the center console is more spacious. New front and rear bumpers are designed to reduce scrapes on trails. LED foglights, an 800-pound static load capacity roof rack, all-weather floor mats, animal-free interior materials and water-resistant upholstery join the upgrades.

The Wilderness trim is also marketed with copper-finish accents and various new badging. The new look gives the vehicle a handsome upscale appearance.

Regardless of trim, the 2026 Forester is equipped with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower. It drives with a continuously variable transmission and features Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive. Up-level trims have snow/dirt and deep snow/mud settings, further emphasizing the wilderness, or at least off-road leanings.

Since its early days in the United States, when Subaru supported professional cycling and skiing teams, Subaru’s priority has been safety.

While 2026 ratings aren’t available, last year’s SUV earned a five-star rating in nearly every National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) category. The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Forester its highest “Good” rating in most of its insurance evaluations. The IIHS selected the Forester as a top safety pick, also for 2025.

The compact SUV segment may be the industry’s most competitive. From the perennially popular Honda CR-V (debuted in 1997) and Buick Envision (debuted in 2014), nearly a dozen choices all have redeeming qualities.

JD Power, the Michigan-based data analytics company, rated the Ford Escape at the top in its Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Jeep Wrangler and Nissan Rogue are the next highest-ranked.

According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Ford Escape ranks highest in the Compact SUV segment. The Jeep Wrangler and the Nissan Rogue are the next highest-ranked. The Hyundai Tucson and top-selling Toyota RAV4 both have loyal followers and all have good reasons.

Subaru’s SUV lineup, the Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, Ascent and electric Solterra, are primarily outmatched by competitors’ performance qualities. Subaru has never highlighted 0-to-60 miles per hour times, and Forester’s advancement is adequate at best.

The Forester, with comfortable seating for five, is at its best for consumers in mountain-oriented states or where inclement weather dominates. Its standard features list is extensive: 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support and adaptive cruise control to Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The vertically mounted 12.3-inch navigation and infotainment systems feature large icons and intuitive instructions.

A key attraction is Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. It features blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency Steering, emergency lane keep assist and reverse automatic braking.

Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filtration and voice control, an electronic parking brake, a 60/40 split rear seat, a fold-down armrest and tie-down hooks.

An All-Weather Package with heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icer ($2,200) adds to the vehicle’s safety prowess.

The MSRP is $38,385; the total price is $42,430. It’s a good value, notably for consumers interested in a safety-oriented, dependable vehicle regardless of where it’s driven.

James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento, also contributes business, lifestyle and sports content to several print and online publications. E-mail: james@jamesraia.com.