New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale near Texas

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — 5/5. The expert rating is 7.5/10. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is aimed at you if you want a crossover SUV that can do more than commute and school runs. Subaru adds all-terrain tyres, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, plus underbody protection and a full-size all-terrain spare tyre, so it is clearly built for rougher conditions than a typical compact SUV.

The trade-offs are just as clear: the styling is polarising, the performance is described as sluggish, and the infotainment system is a weak point. Even so, it should suit you well if you value utility, added confidence, and a vehicle that feels better prepared for unexpected conditions.

39.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there is 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 2026 Forester is presented as a practical, confidence-inspiring SUV with standard all-wheel drive, strong safety equipment, and a focus on utility. The expert evaluation also points to a comfortable ride, secure handling, and a quiet cabin on the highway, which all support the impression of a well-sorted vehicle for everyday use.

The performance notes also suggest the drivetrain is tuned for dependable, predictable behaviour rather than excitement. Subaru’s CVT is described as doing a good job of keeping the engine in a responsive part of its rev range, while resisting drone, and the AWD system is designed to improve traction on loose and slippery surfaces.

If you buy used, the main long-term ownership risk is that the Wilderness’s rugged hardware and off-road focus may mean harder use than a typical Forester.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness stands apart with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tyres, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, Wilderness badges, and an interior designed for easier clean-up after adventures. Base trims do not get that rugged treatment.
• Powertrain: The 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 turbocharging is not part of this model.
• Safety package: EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, automatic throttle management, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Most Forester trims also include active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.
• Infotainment: Nearly all trims 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 services.
• Fuel efficiency: Subaru estimates 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres 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 most accessible way into the model and do not need the Wilderness’s extra off-road hardware.
• Touring: This is the trim to focus on if you want a more complete everyday Forester without chasing the highest price, and it should be the best-value choice for many buyers.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version of the Forester with a stronger emphasis on appearance and equipment than the lower trims.
• Limited: This is the better pick if you want a more upscale-feeling Forester and are willing to pay for extra comfort and convenience.
• Premier: This is the top trim if you want the most fully equipped gas-only Forester.

Most Forester 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: 39.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 449 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. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, automatic throttle management when the driver accelerates into an obstacle, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

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.

One caveat is that the Forester did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ honour in the prior test cycle, due to an Acceptable result in a rear-passenger safety test.

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:

• 39.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Subaru adds rugged Wilderness hardware and improved rear-seat safety protection for this year.

Consider the 2025 if:

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

The bottom line: If you want the most rugged Forester and value the added off-road capability and safety focus, the 2026 is the stronger path. If you are mainly shopping for a more conventional Forester and want to prioritise price, the 2025 remains the sensible alternative.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.