New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale near Vermont

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.

Subaru positions this version as the most rugged Forester, with all-terrain tyres, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, plus added underbody protection for off-road use. That makes it a strong fit if you want a crossover SUV that can handle more than daily commuting and bad weather.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is polarising, the performance is described as sluggish, and the infotainment system is a weak point. Even so, it should appeal if you value utility, added safety confidence, and extra capability for unexpected conditions.

35.4% 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 and a focus on safety and utility. Subaru also highlights improved rear seatbelt protection for this model year, which reinforces the sense that the vehicle is engineered with durability and occupant protection in mind.

Its performance hardware is straightforward rather than complicated: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a CVT, and Subaru’s AWD system. That simplicity can be a plus for long-term ownership, especially if you want a vehicle built around proven everyday use rather than high-strung performance.

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

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness trim stands apart with lifted suspension, all-terrain tyres, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, and Wilderness badges. It also has an interior designed for easier clean-up, including water-resistant artificial leather, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat.
• Powertrain: The Wilderness uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Subaru says there is no turbocharged Forester 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 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 is also part of the package.
• Infotainment: Nearly all trims use an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with 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 combined fuel consumption at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres for the Wilderness.

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, so it makes sense if you want the Forester’s core all-wheel-drive practicality at the lowest price.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim if you want a more complete feature set without jumping to the top of the range.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version with a stronger personality.
• Limited: This is the right pick if you want a more upscale feel and are willing to pay for it.
• Premier: This is the most premium mainstream Forester trim, so it suits you if you want the most equipment before moving into specialty territory.

The Wilderness trim is the one to choose if your priority is off-road capability rather than everyday-road comfort. It adds the most rugged hardware and the most adventure-ready setup in the lineup.

EyeSight is standard on the Forester, 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 looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile options.

• Deal availability: 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 429 listings available.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2026 Subaru Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS in the previous model year, and the redesigned Forester also 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’s EyeSight suite includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Most trims also add active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.

Subaru also includes Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection, which can bring the SUV to a stop if the driver becomes unresponsive while using adaptive cruise control.

One caveat is that the previous IIHS result fell short of the highest honour because of rear passenger protection performance, so that remains worth keeping in mind when you compare it with rivals.

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:

• 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds rugged Wilderness capability, improved angles, and extra underbody protection for off-road use.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It improves the outgoing version with a better-equipped base model and a quieter cabin.

The bottom line: Choose the 2026 if you want the most rugged Forester and value its added capability and safety focus. If you are more price-sensitive and mainly want a refined daily driver, the 2025 is the easier value play.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.