New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearStoney Creek, ON

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2026 Subaru Forester earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

It’s aimed at you if you want a crossover SUV that can handle more than everyday pavement, with added ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, plus underbody protection for off-road use. The trade-offs are clear: the styling may not suit everyone, and the performance is described as sluggish.

The market shows 38.4% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there’s still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

The Forester’s appeal is built around practicality, all-weather capability, and a reputation for being useful rather than flashy. The expert evaluation also points to a vehicle that’s meant to handle unexpected conditions with more confidence than a typical crossover SUV. Its performance notes describe the CVT as doing a good job of keeping the engine in a responsive part of its rev range, while resisting drone.

One ownership perk is that Subaru’s cost-effectiveness notes point to strong value relative to off-road-themed rivals, including better capability and safety. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the Wilderness-focused hardware and off-road use could mean more wear if the vehicle was driven hard.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness stands apart with lifted suspension, all-terrain tyres, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, Wilderness badges, and an interior designed for easier clean-up after muddy or dusty use. It also adds water-resistant artificial leather, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat.
• Powertrain: You get 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 AWD and X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings are standard on the Wilderness.
• 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.
• Infotainment: The Forester uses an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Subaru Multimedia Plus software. The Wilderness is also expected to get the same setup.
• Fuel efficiency: Subaru estimates 9.0 L/100 km in combined driving, 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 Forester line-up, so it makes sense if you want the core Forester formula without stretching your budget.
• Touring: This is the trim to focus on if you want a more complete everyday package without moving too far up the price ladder.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version with a stronger personality.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim if you want a more upscale feel and more equipment without going all the way to the top.
• Premier: Pick this if you want the most fully equipped gas Forester.

Subaru’s safety package is a major part of the Forester’s appeal, and most trims 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 looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so it’s worth shopping carefully and comparing listings.

• Deal availability: 38.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 396 listings available.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2026 Subaru Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and 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, and 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 Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Most Forester trims further include active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.

A key caveat is that the Forester did not receive the highest IIHS honour, because a rear-passenger safety result kept it from Top Safety Pick+.

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:

• 38.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds rugged Wilderness-focused capability, underbody protection, and improved off-road geometry.

Consider the 2025 if:

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

The bottom line: If you want the most rugged Forester setup and value added off-road capability, the 2026 is the one to target. If you’re more price-sensitive and want a quieter, more conventional Forester experience, the 2025 remains the easier everyday buy.

How does the 2026 Subaru Forester compare to the 2026 Honda CR-V?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.