New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearSanta Cruz, CA

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 $28,383
• 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 reliable and affordable SUV without paying for extra features.

• Avg. market price: $28,383 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 226 listings
• View AWD listings

Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV for adventures without breaking the bank. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup by a wide margin.

• Avg. market price: $31,434 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,599 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 SUV with added luxury features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $34,198 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 806 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious SUV experience without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $35,011 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 620 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Wilderness AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness AWD is the pick for shoppers who want an off-road capable SUV with premium features for adventurous outings.

• Avg. market price: $36,026 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 558 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $37,029 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 551 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,599 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $28,383 avg market price — below the lineup median of $34,604 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — AWD

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

Browse AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 12, 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 aimed at you if you want more than everyday crossover capability, with all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, plus added underbody protection and a full-size all-terrain spare tire. That makes it a better fit for rough terrain and unexpected trail use than a typical compact SUV.

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

Even so, it still brings plenty of utility and strong safety credentials, and 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

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 compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive and a strong safety focus. Its off-road hardware and traction upgrades suggest a durable, go-anywhere setup, while the expert verdict emphasizes that it offers more competence than a typical crossover when conditions get difficult.

The performance notes also point to a transmission that does a good job keeping the engine in its power band, and Subaru says the AWD system uses faster center differential lockup to reduce wheelspin on loose and slippery surfaces. The Wilderness model also gets improved transmission cooling, which helps support its towing capability.

One ownership upside is that Subaru outfits the interior for easy clean-up after adventures. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the same rugged use that makes this version appealing can also mean more wear, so condition matters a lot.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the SUV may have seen trail use or frequent bad-weather driving. Focus on underbody condition, tire wear, and signs of hard use in the cabin and cargo area.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness stands apart with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, and Wilderness badges. It also gets water-resistant artificial leather, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, while seat ventilation is unavailable.
• Powertrain: The Wilderness uses a normally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Subaru says there is no turbocharged option for this model, 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. Beyond that, you get 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 if you want the Forester nameplate at the lowest price, but the available information here does not detail its equipment.
• Premium: A step up if you want a more equipped Forester without moving to the higher-priced trims.
• Sport: Best if you want a more style- and feature-forward version of the standard Forester lineup.
• Limited: A good choice if you want a more upscale feel and more equipment than the lower trims.
• Wilderness: This is the one to buy if you want the most capability. It adds the lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, extra underbody protection, improved off-road angles, and the full-size all-terrain spare tire. It is the best-value trim for buyers who actually want the Forester’s rugged side.
• Touring: Choose this if you want the most premium version of the lineup.

The safety package note is straightforward: EyeSight is the core driver-assistance suite, and the Wilderness also adds blind-spot steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, Automatic Emergency Steering, and Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,363 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.8% 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 earned 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 the driver accelerates into an obstacle and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

Beyond EyeSight, 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 also says it has improved the 2026 Forester’s rear seatbelts to enhance occupant safety.

One caveat is that the previous Forester did not earn the highest Top Safety Pick+ honor because of a rear-passenger test 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:

• 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2026 Forester Wilderness adds all-terrain hardware, improved angles, and underbody protection for more serious off-pavement use.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It improves on the outgoing version with a better-equipped base model and quieter cabin.

The bottom line: If you want the most capable Forester and value its rugged hardware, the 2026 is the better target. If you’re mainly shopping for a lower price and a more conventional Forester experience, the 2025 is worth a look.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.