New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearSan Marcos, CA

Compare 2026 Subaru Forester Trims

The 2026 Subaru Forester offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $28,731
• 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: $28,731 (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-equipped vehicle for adventures without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $31,872 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,545 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 breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $35,763 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 772 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and luxury without stepping up to the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $36,418 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 603 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 advanced technology features.

• Avg. market price: $36,417 (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 luxurious features and technology in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $38,054 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 546 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,545 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $28,731 avg market price — below the lineup median of $36,090 — 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 22, 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, with all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, drivetrain changes that improve traction, added underbody protection, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire. Those upgrades make it especially appealing if you want extra confidence when the pavement ends, while the rugged styling and easy-clean interior reinforce that mission.

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

With 33.6% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market offers a moderate amount of value-oriented inventory.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2026 Forester is presented as a practical, confidence-inspiring SUV with standard all-wheel drive, strong utility, and safety-focused updates for rear-seat protection. Subaru’s performance notes also point to a drivetrain that keeps the engine in a responsive part of its rev range, while the off-road hardware and traction systems are designed to help the SUV stay composed in difficult conditions.

The cost-effectiveness notes also highlight that Subaru gives the Forester Wilderness a compelling value story, with competitive pricing, strong capability, and top-notch safety ratings.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the same rugged setup that adds capability can also mean you should pay close attention to wear from hard use.

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 vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the SUV has been used on rough roads or trails. Focus on the condition of the tires, underbody protection, suspension components, and interior surfaces, since this version is designed for adventure-oriented use. It’s also smart to verify that the technology and driver-assistance features work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness trim 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-area mat. The base trim is not described with those rugged features.
• 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 you cannot get turbocharging 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 further includes 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 portrait 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, and the evaluation notes say it averaged 22.7 mpg during testing.

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 available information emphasizes that Subaru improved the lineup with a better-equipped base model in the previous generation and that the Wilderness adds the most distinctive capability and equipment. If you want the lowest-cost path, this is the trim to start with, but it does not bring the Wilderness-specific hardware or interior treatment.
• Premium: This is the first step up if you want more comfort and convenience without jumping to the more specialized trims. It should suit you if you want a balanced Forester rather than the rugged focus of the Wilderness.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version of the Forester lineup. The provided information does not describe unique mechanical upgrades here, so it makes sense if appearance matters more than off-road hardware.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want a more upscale everyday Forester without the Wilderness’s adventure-first setup. It should appeal if you value comfort and features over trail capability.
• Wilderness: This is the best-value trim if you want the most capability. It adds all-terrain tires, more ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, underbody protection, a full-size all-terrain spare, and rugged interior and exterior details. It’s the right pick if you want the Forester that is most ready for rough roads and unexpected conditions.
• Touring: This is the top trim if you want the most premium-feeling Forester in the lineup. The available information points to it as the upper end of the range, making it the trim to target if comfort and equipment matter more than off-road focus.

The Wilderness also has an available option package that adds a digital instrumentation panel, navigation, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power liftgate.

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 with some leverage if you know what you want.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,224 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’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 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.

A key caveat is that the Forester did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ honor, with rear passenger protection cited as the issue in the prior test cycle.

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:

• 33.6% 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.
• 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: If you want the most capable and most updated Forester, the 2026 is the better target. If you’re shopping mainly on price and want a practical Forester with familiar strengths, 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 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.