New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale near Lake Cowichan, BC

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

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

The 2026 Forester’s appeal is clearest in Wilderness form, where Subaru leans into off-road capability instead of trying to make it feel like a soft-road crossover. It adds all-terrain tyres, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover and departure angles, drivetrain modifications for better traction, underbody protection, and a full-size all-terrain spare tyre. That makes it a strong fit if you want a compact SUV that can handle unexpected terrain and still feel reassuring in everyday use.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: the design may not suit everyone, performance is described as sluggish, and the infotainment system is a weak point.

With 33.2% 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-minded SUV with standard all-wheel drive and a reputation for handling confidently in adverse conditions. Subaru also improved the rear seatbelts for 2026, which reinforces the model’s focus on occupant protection.

Its powertrain is straightforward: a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with a CVT. The transmission is described as doing a good job of keeping the engine in a responsive part of its rev range while resisting drone, and the shorter final-drive ratio in Wilderness form is meant to improve low-speed responsiveness off-road. Subaru also says the AWD system uses faster centre differential lockup to reduce wheelspin on loose and slippery surfaces.

For ownership, the main long-term risk for used buyers is that the Forester’s strengths are more about durability-minded utility than excitement, so you should prioritise condition, maintenance history, and how hard the vehicle has been used.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness treatment is the most distinctive version, with exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, Wilderness badges, and an interior set up for easier clean-up after muddy or dusty use. Base trims are more conventional, so make sure the equipment level matches what you want.
• Powertrain: The Forester Wilderness uses a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Subaru says the CVT has eight programmed ratios, paddle shifters, and a shorter final-drive ratio in Wilderness form for better low-speed response.
• Safety package: EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Most trims also include active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.
• Infotainment: Nearly all trims come with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Subaru Multimedia Plus software. The system can feel busy and cluttered, so check that it suits you.
• Fuel efficiency: Subaru estimates the Wilderness at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving.

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 trim to consider if you want the entry point to the Forester line without overpaying for extras you may not use. It should suit you if you value the Forester’s core strengths more than luxury touches.
• Touring: This is the best-value choice if you want a more complete everyday package without moving too far up the price ladder. It should appeal if you want a better-equipped Forester for commuting and family use.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more expressive version of the Forester with a stronger visual identity.
• Limited: This is the trim to look at if you want a more upscale feel and are willing to pay for it.
• Premier: Pick this if you want the most fully equipped mainstream Forester in the range.

EyeSight is the standard safety package, and most trims also include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile options.

• Deal availability: 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 343 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 camera-based 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. Unusual features include automatic throttle management when you accelerate into an obstacle and Lead Vehicle Start Alert, which notifies you when traffic ahead starts moving again.

Most Forester trims also include active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection can detect an unresponsive driver, choose a safe lane to stop in, and bring the SUV to a halt with the flashers active.

Subaru has also improved the rear seatbelts for 2026, addressing the area that kept the Forester from earning the highest IIHS honour previously.

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: 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Choose the 2026 if: It adds Wilderness-focused off-road capability and updated rear-seat safety protection.
• Consider the 2025 if: It offers a quieter cabin, a better-equipped base model, and a more refined all-round package.

The bottom line: If you want the most distinctive and capability-focused Forester, the 2026 is the one to target. If you’re mainly shopping for value and a more conventional used compact SUV experience, the 2025 remains the safer price-sensitive alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.