New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearCarolina Beach, NC

Compare 2026 Subaru Forester Trims

The Forester lineup offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for versatile driving.

• Starting at $28,564
• Best MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

AWD — "Who It's For"

The AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $28,564 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 220 listings
• View AWD listings

Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped vehicle for adventures without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $32,458 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,563 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Premium AWD listings

Sport AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with added luxury features without stepping up to the Limited.

• Avg. market price: $35,779 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 782 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious experience with advanced technology without going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $36,475 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 618 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Wilderness AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness AWD is the pick for shoppers who want off-road capabilities with premium features without compromising on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $36,707 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 551 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most refined features and comfort without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $38,130 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 544 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,563 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $28,564 avg market price — below the lineup median of $36,127 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — AWD

The AWD trim offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 26/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

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.

The 2026 Forester Wilderness is the Forester variant for you if you want more than typical crossover-SUV capability. Subaru gives it all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, added underbody protection, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire, so it is clearly aimed at drivers who may leave pavement behind. Even if you are not planning serious off-roading, it still brings extra confidence for unexpected conditions while keeping the Forester’s practical mission intact.

The trade-offs are clear: the design may not be for everyone, performance is sluggish, and the infotainment system is a weak point.

Good and great deals account for 37.4% of listings, so there is at least 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’s reliability case is built around its practical, proven character and the way Subaru has focused on utility and safety improvements rather than chasing novelty. The expert notes also point to a cabin that is easy to clean up after adventure use, which fits the vehicle’s intended role well. Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system and traction-focused hardware add to the sense that this is a vehicle designed to handle daily use and rougher conditions without drama.

The performance notes also suggest a durable, confidence-oriented setup rather than a high-strung one: the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine, CVT, and standard AWD are tuned for steady use, and the transmission cooling upgrade supports towing. Subaru also includes maintenance-friendly ownership touches in the broader package, including a first scheduled maintenance visit that is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the Wilderness’s extra capability comes with more specialized hardware, so condition and maintenance history matter.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report, verify that the vehicle’s equipment matches the trim you want, and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if you are considering a Wilderness model that may have seen trail use. Focus on signs of underbody wear, tire condition, and whether the cabin and cargo area show the kind of abuse that can come with outdoor use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The gas-only lineup includes base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring trim levels. The Wilderness stands apart with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, Wilderness badges, and an interior built for easy clean-up. Seat ventilation is unavailable.
• Powertrain: The Wilderness uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Subaru says the shorter final-drive ratio improves low-speed responsiveness off-road, and towing capacity rises to 3,500 pounds.
• Safety package: EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Wilderness also adds active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, Automatic Emergency Steering, and Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection. Subaru has improved the rear seatbelts for 2026.
• Infotainment: The available package adds a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and connected services. A conversational digital voice assistant is not included.
• Fuel efficiency: Subaru estimates 26 mpg in combined driving for the Wilderness.

Which 2026 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2026 Subaru Forester is offered in 6 trim levels: base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• base: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the Forester’s core practicality at the lowest price. It is the trim most likely to leave out the extra Wilderness-specific hardware and the richer tech and comfort upgrades found higher up the range.
• Premium: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it should give you a more complete everyday experience without pushing you into the highest-priced trims. If you want a balanced Forester, this is the one to start with.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version of the Forester with a little more personality than the lower trims.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want a more upscale-feeling Forester with more comfort and convenience equipment.
• Wilderness: Buy this if your priorities include off-pavement capability, extra ground clearance, underbody protection, and the rugged look that goes with them. It is the clear pick for buyers who want the most trail-ready Forester.
• Touring: This is the trim to choose if you want the most fully equipped Forester experience and are willing to pay for it.

Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite is standard, and the Wilderness also adds blind-spot steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Subaru Forester?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 37.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,213 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 96.0% of listings are accident-free.

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 camera-based driver-assistance package EyeSight, and it includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester Wilderness also adds active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection can bring the SUV to a stop if the driver becomes unresponsive while adaptive cruise control is active.

Subaru has also improved the rear seatbelts for 2026, which addresses the rear-passenger safety issue that kept the previous Forester from earning the higher Top Safety Pick+ honor.

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:

• 37.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Subaru adds a redesigned Wilderness model with stronger off-road hardware and updated rear-passenger protection.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It refined 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 capable and most updated Forester in this range, the 2026 is the better target. If you are shopping mainly for value and can live without the Wilderness-specific upgrades, the 2025 remains the sensible price-conscious alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.