How much does the 2026 Subaru Forester cost?

The 2026 Subaru Forester starts at $29,995 for the base trim and tops out at $41,000 for the loaded trim. Most dealers will negotiate $500–$2,500 off MSRP depending on inventory and the trim.

What should I cross-shop the 2026 Subaru Forester against?

The strongest direct cross-shops in 2026 are: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Honda CR-V AWD, Mazda CX-5. We'd test-drive at least two of these before deciding.

Compact SUV

2026 Subaru Forester: buying summary

Q: What's the best 2026 Subaru Forester trim?

Premium Hybrid AWD. Premium Hybrid AWD is the value pick at around $33,500 for the new hybrid powertrain with upgraded mpg, EyeSight, the 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay, heated front seats, and a power moonroof. Wilderness is the right call for outdoor buyers who want the most ground clearance and capability in the lineup. Base gas is the budget-conscious entry; the hybrid premium pays back in fuel savings in about 2 years at average mileage.

AWD standard on every trim, with a hybrid option and genuine outdoor capability

MSRP range: $29,995–$41,000
Combined MPG: 33
Body style: Compact SUV
Powertrain: Hybrid available

Pros

Symmetrical full-time AWD standard on every single trim — no upsell, no trade-off, just AWD from the base model
Wilderness trim: 9.2 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, more off-road capability than any RAV4 non-TRD trim
EyeSight driver-assist standard across all trims — consistently tops IIHS and NHTSA ratings in the compact SUV class
111.9 cu ft of passenger space and 76.1 cu ft max cargo — larger interior than the RAV4 and CR-V with cargo flat

Cons

Base 2.5L NA engine makes 182 hp — the least powerful in the compact SUV class; RAV4 hybrid makes 219 hp and CR-V makes 192 hp
No PHEV option; RAV4 Prime, CR-V PHEV, and Tucson PHEV all offer plug-in variants the Forester can't match
CVT transmission across all powertrains; many buyers find it droning on highway grades
Resale value trails RAV4 and CR-V by 5–8 points at 36 months — a real lease-math disadvantage

Best trim: Premium Hybrid AWD

Premium Hybrid AWD is the value pick at around $33,500 for the new hybrid powertrain with upgraded mpg, EyeSight, the 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay, heated front seats, and a power moonroof. Wilderness is the right call for outdoor buyers who want the most ground clearance and capability in the lineup. Base gas is the budget-conscious entry; the hybrid premium pays back in fuel savings in about 2 years at average mileage.

What to cross-shop

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Honda CR-V AWD
Mazda CX-5

Verdict

Buy the Forester if standard AWD and real off-road capability at non-luxury pricing are your priorities. The RAV4 Hybrid has better fuel economy and resale; the CR-V Hybrid is quieter and more refined on the highway. Forester wins for Wilderness-grade off-road use and buyers who want every trim to include AWD without paying extra.

Personalized research

Have CARMIND build a custom report on the 2026 Subaru Forester →

Same vehicle, sized to your budget and use case. Includes comparable models, current incentives, and what to push back on at the dealer.