2026 Subaru Forester Review
Compact Subaru SUV with standard AWD character, published 2026 EPA including hybrid rows, and IIHS Good crashworthiness for 2026. Axis scores pending.
2026 · James Calder · published 2026-10-07
2026 Subaru Forester
Forester is Subaru's compact SUV default: Symmetrical AWD as the product thesis. Trade-off versus hybrid crossovers from other brands: usually lower peak mpg unless you take Subaru's hybrid rows.
What's confirmed (EPA 2026)
Combined figures on the Forester EPA page include 29, 35, 28, and 26 mpg combined (city/hwy examples 26/33, 35/34, 25/32, 24/28). The 35 combined class aligns with hybrid configurations — match the EPA vehicle string.
Practical notes
Wilderness/off-road packaging costs mpg (lower combined rows). If AWD is optional on a rival and you never need it, a FWD hybrid may win on fuel cost.
Safety (IIHS)
IIHS 2026 Forester: small-overlap, updated moderate-overlap, and updated side listed Good on the overview (2025 redesign; 2026 belt changes noted for moderate-overlap; Wilderness applicability caveats on some tests). Headlights Good; front crash prevention programs Good on listed 2026 notes. DriveRevu Safety axis Score pending (no fake 0–10).
Method
See [How we score](/method).
Sources
- EPA — Gas Mileage of 2026 Subaru Forester — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2026SubaruForester.shtml (fetched 2026-10-06)
- IIHS — 2026 Subaru Forester — https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/subaru/forester-4-door-suv/2026 (fetched 2026-10-06)
- Subaru — Forester — https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/ (OEM)