New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearSanta Maria, 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 $29,121
• 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: $29,121 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 201 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 advanced features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $32,396 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,458 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 going for the top-tier trims.

• Avg. market price: $36,084 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 775 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: $36,498 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 647 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 on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $37,032 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 552 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most premium features for a trail-ready experience without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $38,707 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 532 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,458 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $29,121 avg market price — below the lineup median of $36,291 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — AWD

The AWD trim offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 26/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

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

It fits best if you want a compact crossover with a clear rugged identity: Subaru gives the Wilderness all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, added underbody protection, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire. The tradeoff is that the design may be polarizing, performance is described as sluggish, and the infotainment system is dissatisfying.

Even so, it offers lots of utility and good safety ratings, and the market shows 35.2% of listings as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester reliable?

The 2026 Subaru Forester is presented as a practical, confidence-inspiring compact crossover, especially if you value standard all-wheel drive and extra capability when conditions get rough. Subaru’s Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system is standard, and the Wilderness adds X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud, plus a shorter final-drive ratio that helps low-speed responsiveness off-road.

The performance notes also point to a CVT that does a good job of keeping the engine in a responsive part of its rev range while resisting drone, and Subaru says the AWD system uses faster center differential lockup to reduce wheelspin on loose and slippery surfaces. On the ownership side, the Wilderness is described as a compelling value because it offers competitive pricing, superior capability, and top-notch safety ratings.

For used buyers, the long-term risk is mainly about living with a model that prioritizes ruggedness over speed and refinement, so you should expect a more utility-first ownership experience than a sporty one.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, and focus on overall condition rather than assuming every example has been used gently. Pay close attention to signs of off-road use, interior wear, and whether the vehicle’s technology and driver-assistance features operate as expected.

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, exclusive wheel designs, 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 equipment.
• 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 the shorter final-drive ratio improves low-speed responsiveness off-road, and towing capacity rises to a maximum of 3,500 pounds.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite 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 with Subaru Multimedia Plus software, 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, but the system is described as busy and cluttered.
• Fuel efficiency: Subaru estimates 26 mpg in combined driving for the Wilderness, and the test vehicle averaged 22.7 mpg during evaluation.

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 is also the trim most likely to feel stripped down compared with the better-equipped versions.
• Premium: This is the sensible step-up choice if you want a better-balanced Forester without chasing the highest-priced trims.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version of the Forester lineup.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want a more upscale-feeling Forester without going all the way to the top.
• Wilderness: This is the best-value trim if you want the Forester’s strongest off-road identity, with all-terrain tires, extra ground clearance, underbody protection, and the full-size all-terrain spare tire.
• Touring: Pick this if you want the most fully equipped Forester experience.

The Wilderness also gets Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance suite, plus blind-spot steering assist, 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?

The market looks moderate and selective, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,143 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 97.0% 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. The Forester 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.

Subaru also improved the 2026 Forester’s rear seatbelts to enhance occupant safety, which is especially relevant if you regularly carry passengers in the back.

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:

• 35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97% — 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 formula with a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a quieter cabin.

The bottom line: If you want the most capable and most distinctive Forester in this range, the 2026 is the better target. If your priority is value and everyday ease rather than rugged hardware, the 2025 remains the smarter price-sensitive alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.