New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearMerritt, 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 $29,032
• Best MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium Crossover 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

Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $29,032 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 661 listings
• View Crossover AWD listings

Premium Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want extra comfort and features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $32,445 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 3,137 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Premium Crossover AWD listings

Sport Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of adventure-ready features and sporty styling.

• Avg. market price: $35,803 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,464 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Sport Crossover AWD listings

Limited Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and advanced technology in their vehicle.

• Avg. market price: $36,342 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,794 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited Crossover AWD listings

Wilderness Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want rugged capability and premium features for off-road adventures.

• Avg. market price: $37,083 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,472 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Wilderness Crossover AWD listings

Touring Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most advanced tech and luxury features in their Forester.

• Avg. market price: $39,072 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,187 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 3,137 active listings, the Premium Crossover AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium Crossover AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Crossover AWD

At $29,032 avg market price — below the lineup median of $36,072 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

The Crossover AWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup at 26/33 MPG.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

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

The 2026 Forester Wilderness is built for buyers who want more confidence when the pavement ends, with all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, added underbody protection, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire. That rugged setup gives it a clear identity, and the interior is designed for easy cleanup after messy adventures.

The trade-offs are just as clear: the design may be polarizing, performance is described as sluggish, and the infotainment system is dissatisfying.

For shoppers who want a compact crossover with extra off-road capability and strong safety credentials, it makes a compelling case, and 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester reliable?

The 2026 Forester is presented as a practical, confidence-inspiring compact crossover with standard all-wheel drive, a traction-focused Wilderness setup, and safety-minded updates for rear passengers. Its off-road hardware and drivetrain tuning are aimed at improving control on loose or slippery surfaces, while the cabin is built for easy cleanup after outdoor use.

The performance notes point to a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a CVT that keeps the engine in a responsive part of its rev range, and a shorter final-drive ratio that helps low-speed responsiveness off-road. Subaru also says the AWD system uses faster center differential lockup to reduce wheelspin and steering-angle data to improve handling on pavement.

For ownership, the main long-term risk for used buyers is that the same rugged focus that helps off-road can also mean you should pay close attention to wear, abuse, and maintenance history.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97.1% — 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 underbody condition, tire wear, and signs of hard use, since this version is designed to go farther off pavement than a typical crossover.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness stands apart with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, Wilderness badges, and an easy-clean interior. Seat ventilation is unavailable.
• Powertrain: It uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive. Subaru says the shorter final-drive ratio improves low-speed responsiveness off-road.
• 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 active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, Automatic Emergency Steering, and Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection.
• Infotainment: The system uses an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus access to a Wi-Fi hotspot. A 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel is available with the option package.
• 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, but the Wilderness-specific equipment and rugged identity are not here.
• Premium: A sensible step up if you want more equipment without chasing the highest-priced trims.
• Sport: Best if you want a more expressive version of the Forester without moving into the Wilderness’s off-road focus.
• Limited: A stronger choice if you want a more upscale feel and broader equipment.
• Wilderness: This is the best-value trim for buyers who want the Forester’s maximum off-road capability, with the lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, added protection, and full-size spare.
• Touring: Choose this if you want the most fully equipped Forester and are less focused on rugged trail hardware.

The Wilderness is the trim that best matches this model year’s identity, and the safety package remains a major strength across the lineup.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you have room to shop selectively without expecting deep distress pricing.

• Deal availability: 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,156 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 97.1% 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 suite 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.

Subaru has also improved the 2026 Forester’s rear seatbelts to enhance occupant safety. The main caveat is that the previous crash-test results did not reach the highest IIHS honor because of rear passenger protection performance.

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:

• 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It adds a redesigned Wilderness model with stronger off-road capability and updated rear-passenger protection.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It refines the Forester with a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety, and a quieter cabin.

The bottom line: Choose the 2026 if you want the most capable Forester and value the Wilderness’s added hardware and safety updates. If you’re more price-sensitive and want a practical Forester with a calmer, more conventional mission, the 2025 remains the easier buy.

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