New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearSt Catharines, ON

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — you rate it 5/5, and our experts rate it 7.5/10. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The 2026 Subaru Forester is aimed at you if you want a compact SUV that leans into utility, safety-minded updates, and extra capability rather than flash. In Wilderness form, Subaru adds all-terrain tyres, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover and departure angles, drivetrain changes for better traction, underbody protection, and a full-size all-terrain spare tyre. That makes it especially appealing if you want more confidence for rough roads, bad weather, or the occasional unexpected trail.

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

With 35.2% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2026 Forester’s appeal is built around practicality, standard all-wheel drive, and a safety-first approach. Subaru also adds updated protection for rear passengers in a collision, which reinforces the sense that this is a vehicle designed to handle everyday use with a margin of reassurance. The Wilderness version’s extra underbody protection and full-size all-terrain spare tyre also point to a model built to cope with tougher conditions.

The performance notes also support that impression: the continuously variable transmission is described as doing a good job of keeping the engine in a responsive part of its rev range, while resisting its natural tendency to drone. Subaru’s EyeSight suite and the broader driver-assistance setup add another layer of confidence for daily driving.

If you plan to keep one for the long haul, the main ownership risk is that the sluggish powertrain and busy infotainment may wear on you more than the mechanical side of the vehicle.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas-only lineup includes Convenience, Touring, Sport, Limited, and Premier. The Wilderness treatment adds lifted suspension, all-terrain tyres, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, and Wilderness badges, while the interior is set up for easier clean-up after muddy or dusty use. If you want the most distinctive and capability-focused version, the Wilderness is the one to target.
• Powertrain: The Forester uses a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Subaru’s Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system is standard, and the Wilderness gets a shorter final-drive ratio for better low-speed responsiveness off-road.
• Safety package: EyeSight 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 and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. 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 touchscreen in portrait orientation. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Subaru Multimedia Plus software. The system does not include a conversational digital voice assistant.
• Fuel efficiency: Subaru estimates 9.0 L/100 km in combined driving for the Wilderness, and the evaluation average was 10.4 L/100 km.

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 to the gas-only lineup, so it makes sense if you want the Forester’s core practicality and standard all-wheel-drive character without paying for extras you may not use.
• Touring: This is the best-value choice if you want a more complete everyday package without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version with a stronger personality than the lower trims.
• Limited: This is the right pick if you want a more upscale feel and are willing to pay for it.
• Premier: This is the top trim for buyers who want the most premium version of the standard Forester lineup.

The safety package is a major part of the Forester story, and most trims include active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile options.

• Deal availability: 35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 364 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 package 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 and there is an obstacle in the way, plus 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 detect an unresponsive driver, choose a safe lane to stop in, and bring the SUV to a halt with the flashers active.

One caveat is that the Forester did not receive the highest IIHS honour, and the rear-seat safety update appears aimed at improving that result.

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:

• 35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Subaru leans into off-road capability with the Wilderness treatment, plus updated rear-passenger protection.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It refines the formula with a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a quieter cabin.

The bottom line: If you want the most capability-focused Forester and value the Wilderness upgrades, the 2026 is the one to watch. If you’re more focused on a sensible, well-rounded compact crossover and want to be price-conscious, the 2025 remains the easier everyday choice.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.