New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale near Iowa

Compare 2026 Subaru Forester Trims

The Forester lineup offers a range of trims from budget-friendly AWD to adventure-ready options, all featuring impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $28,838
• 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: $28,838 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 216 listings
• View AWD listings

Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded vehicle with added luxury features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $32,523 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,544 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 premium features without stepping up to the Limited trim.

• Avg. market price: $35,637 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 789 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and advanced technology without going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $36,535 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 623 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Wilderness AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness AWD is the pick for shoppers who want off-road capability and advanced features without compromising on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $36,776 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 549 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most luxurious features and technology without going for a higher-end brand.

• Avg. market price: $38,452 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 551 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,544 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $28,838 avg market price — below the lineup median of $36,086 — 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 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness earns an expert rating of 7.5/10. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

It’s a strong fit if you want a compact crossover that leans hard into extra capability: Subaru adds all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, plus underbody protection and a full-size all-terrain spare tire. That makes it especially appealing if you want more confidence when the pavement ends, while the easy-clean interior and rugged styling reinforce the mission.

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

Good and great deals account for 36.9% of listings, which suggests there’s still reasonable market availability for shoppers who want to compare.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester reliable?

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is presented as a practical, confidence-inspiring SUV with standard all-wheel drive, traction-focused drivetrain changes, and added underbody protection that should help it handle rough use. Subaru also gives all 2026 Forester models updated protection for rear passengers in a collision, which adds to the sense that the brand is prioritizing durability and occupant protection.

Its powertrain is straightforward rather than complicated: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder works with a CVT, and Subaru’s tuning aims to keep the engine in a responsive part of its rev range. The Wilderness-specific shorter final-drive ratio helps low-speed responsiveness off-road, and the transmission cooling upgrade supports towing.

For long-term ownership, the main risk for used buyers is less about mechanical complexity and more about whether the vehicle has been used hard off-road or neglected after that kind of use.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the vehicle has seen trail use or towing. Focus on the condition of the underbody, tires, wheels, and interior surfaces, since this version is designed for adventure and easy cleanup. It’s also worth checking that the driver-assistance systems and infotainment features work as expected, since those are central to the ownership experience.

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, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, and easy-clean interior materials, while the base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more of the rugged treatment.
• 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’s Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system is standard, and X-Mode Dual Mode adds Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings.
• 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.
• Infotainment: The Wilderness uses an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen and can be paired with an available 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Wi-Fi hotspot access and connected services.
• Fuel efficiency: Subaru estimates 26 mpg in combined driving.

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, but it won’t deliver the Wilderness-specific capability or visual character.
• Premium: This is the sensible step-up if you want a better-equipped Forester without chasing the most specialized version.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more expressive take on the Forester without going all the way to the off-road-focused model.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want a more upscale-feeling Forester with broader everyday appeal.
• Wilderness: This is the best-value trim for buyers who want the most capability. It adds the lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, extra protection, and trail-focused hardware that define the model.
• Touring: Pick this if you want the most comfort- and convenience-oriented Forester.

The Wilderness also benefits from Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite, plus additional blind-spot and rear cross-traffic protection.

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

The market looks moderately favorable for selective buyers, especially if you’re willing to compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 36.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,245 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 96.4% 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’s EyeSight package 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 when you accelerate toward an obstacle and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Beyond that, the Forester Wilderness includes active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, Automatic Emergency Steering, and Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection.

One caveat is that the Forester did not receive the highest IIHS honor, and the rear-seat protection update appears aimed at improving that result.

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: 36.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

• Choose the 2026 if: Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

• Choose the 2026 if: It adds a redesigned Wilderness model with stronger off-road capability 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 distinctive Forester, the 2026 is the better target. If you’re mainly shopping for value and can live without the Wilderness-specific upgrades, the 2025 remains a smart alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.