New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearKamloops, BC

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness earns a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

It is aimed at you if you want a compact SUV that can handle rougher terrain better than a typical crossover when the pavement ends. Subaru adds all-terrain tyres, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, drivetrain changes that improve traction, underbody protection, and a full-size all-terrain spare tyre. It also gets easy-clean interior materials and updated protection for rear passengers in a collision.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is described as sluggish, and the infotainment system is dissatisfying. The Wilderness styling may also be polarising if you prefer a more understated look.

With 36.2% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester reliable?

The 2026 Subaru Forester is presented as a practical, safety-focused SUV with standard all-wheel drive and traction-enhancing hardware that should help it cope with poor weather and rough roads. Subaru also gives it a new centre console design and updated rear-passenger protection, which supports its reputation for thoughtful everyday usability.

Its powertrain is straightforward: a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with a CVT, plus Subaru’s Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system and X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings. The transmission is described as doing a good job of keeping the engine in a responsive part of its rev range, and Subaru says the AWD system uses faster centre differential lockup to reduce wheelspin on loose and slippery surfaces.

For long-term ownership, the main risk for used buyers is less about complexity and more about whether you can live with the Wilderness model’s compromises in performance and infotainment over time.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Subaru Forester?

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness trim adds lifted suspension, all-terrain tyres, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, Wilderness badges, water-resistant artificial leather, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. The base gas Forester lineup also includes Convenience, Touring, Sport, Limited, and Premier, but the Wilderness is the most capability-focused version.
• Powertrain: You get a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT that uses eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. The Wilderness also has a shorter final-drive ratio, improved transmission cooling, standard AWD, and X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings.
• Safety package: EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Most Forester trims also include active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. Some trims may not include the full set.
• Infotainment: The Forester is expected to use an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with Subaru Multimedia Plus software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year complimentary subscription to MySubaru connected service plans. It does not get a conversational digital voice assistant.
• Fuel efficiency: Subaru estimates 9.0 L/100 km in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 10.4 L/100 km during evaluation.

Which 2026 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2026 Subaru Forester is offered in 5 trim levels: Convenience, Touring, Sport, Limited, and Premier.

Here's the short version:

• Convenience: This is the entry point if you want the Forester’s core practicality and standard all-wheel-drive capability without paying for extra equipment you may not need.
• Touring: This is the trim to consider if you want a more complete everyday package and a better balance of comfort and equipment.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more expressive look and a slightly more lifestyle-oriented feel.
• Limited: This is the best-value choice if you want a richer feature set without going all the way to the top trim.
• Premier: Pick this if you want the most upscale version of the gas Forester lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Subaru Forester?

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you should shop carefully and compare listings rather than rushing.

• Deal availability: 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 293 listings available.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2026 Subaru Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and the redesigned 2025 Forester received five-star ratings in each individual NHTSA assessment, plus a four-star rollover resistance rating.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru calls its driver-assistance suite EyeSight. It includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. It also adds automatic throttle management when you accelerate into an obstacle and a Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

In addition to EyeSight, most Forester trims include active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection can bring the SUV to a halt if the driver becomes unresponsive while adaptive cruise control is active.

The main caveat is that the Forester did not receive the highest IIHS honour because of a lower rear-passenger safety result in a newer test, though Subaru has improved the rear seatbelts for 2026.

Should I buy a 2026 Subaru Forester or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• It adds rugged off-road hardware, improved traction, and updated rear-passenger protection.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brings a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a quieter cabin.

The bottom line: If you want the most capable Forester and value its safety and utility strengths, the 2026 is the better target. If you are more price-sensitive and want a practical Forester with a quieter, more refined feel, the 2025 is worth a close look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.