New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale near Elkin, 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 $28,528
• 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.

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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: $28,528 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 228 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 overboard on price.

• Avg. market price: $32,009 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,580 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 higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $35,497 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 807 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 the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $36,159 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 607 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Wilderness AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $36,079 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 563 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: $37,738 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 549 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,580 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $28,528 avg market price — below the lineup median of $35,788 — 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 29, 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 built for drivers who 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, which makes it especially appealing if you expect to leave pavement behind. Even if you do not plan to go off-road often, it still brings extra confidence for unexpected conditions while remaining practical.

The trade-offs are clear: the design may not be for everyone, and the performance and infotainment system are both weaker points.

With 38.1% of listings priced as good or great deals, 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’s appeal is built around practicality, all-weather capability, and a safety-focused setup. Subaru’s standard all-wheel-drive system and the model’s strong utility story support the kind of dependable day-to-day ownership many used buyers want. The performance notes also point to a drivetrain that keeps the engine in a responsive part of its rev range, and Subaru’s traction system is designed to help reduce wheelspin on loose and slippery surfaces.

If you want a maintenance perk, Subaru’s connected ownership setup includes complimentary subscription coverage for its connected services plans. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the Wilderness’s extra capability and specialized hardware can make condition and prior use more important than mileage alone.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and inspect the vehicle carefully, especially if you are considering a Wilderness model that may have seen trail use. Pay close attention to the underbody, tires, wheels, cargo-area trim, and any signs of hard use or off-road damage. It is also worth checking that the technology and driver-assistance systems work as expected, since those features are a big part of the Forester’s value.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness stands apart with exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, Wilderness badges, water-resistant artificial leather, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. The base trim-level gap to keep in mind is that 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 continuously variable transmission. Subaru says turbocharging is not offered here, and the CVT includes eight programmed ratios plus paddle shifters.
• Safety package: EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also adds automatic throttle management and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. The Wilderness also gets active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, Automatic Emergency Steering, and Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection.
• Infotainment: The Wilderness uses an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Wi-Fi hotspot access, and connected services. A 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel is available with the option package.
• 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 lowest-cost way into the Forester lineup and do not need the Wilderness’s extra hardware or rugged styling.
• Premium: This is the trim to target if you want a better-equipped Forester without moving too far up the price ladder.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version of the Forester lineup.
• Limited: This is the better pick if you want a more upscale-feeling Forester with more equipment.
• Wilderness: This is the best-value trim if you want the Forester’s strongest off-road capability, with all-terrain tires, more ground clearance, added underbody protection, and the most rugged setup in the lineup.
• Touring: Pick this if you want the most fully equipped Forester and are willing to pay for it.

Subaru’s safety package is a major part of the Forester’s appeal, and the Wilderness adds extra driver-assistance features beyond the core EyeSight setup.

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 listings.

• Deal availability: 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,247 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 96.2% of listings are accident-free.

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. It includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The system also adds automatic throttle management when you accelerate toward an obstacle and Lead Vehicle Start Alert to notify you when traffic ahead starts moving again.

Beyond EyeSight, the Forester Wilderness adds 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 on.

Subaru also improved the 2026 Forester’s rear seatbelts to enhance occupant safety.

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:

• 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Subaru adds a redesigned Wilderness model with stronger off-road capability and updated rear-seat safety.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It refines the Forester with a better-equipped base model and quieter cabin.

The bottom line: If you want the most capable and safety-forward Forester in this generation, the 2026 is the one to target. If your priority is saving money and you are comfortable giving up the Wilderness-specific upgrades, the 2025 remains the value-minded alternative.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.