New & Used 2026 Subaru Forester for Sale nearWilmington, 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 $28,528
• 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: $28,528 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 228 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 overboard on price.

• Avg. market price: $32,009 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,580 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 stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $35,497 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 807 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: $36,159 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 607 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 comfort.

• Avg. market price: $36,079 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 563 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most refined features and comfort without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $37,738 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 549 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,580 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $28,528 avg market price — below the lineup median of $35,788 — 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 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — you rate it 5/5, and the expert rating is 7.5/10. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The 2026 Forester Wilderness is built for drivers who want more than everyday crossover capability, with all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, and added underbody protection. It also brings a full-size all-terrain spare tire and drivetrain changes that improve traction, so it is aimed at rougher terrain rather than just commuting.

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

For shoppers who want a compact SUV with extra off-pavement ability and strong safety credentials, it makes a compelling case. Good and great deals account for 37.4% of listings, which gives you a decent amount of market flexibility.

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 a safety-first character. Subaru also emphasizes improved rear-seat protection for 2026, which supports its long-term family-use appeal.

Its performance setup is straightforward: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a CVT, and Subaru’s Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system. The drivetrain is tuned for traction and low-speed control, especially in the Wilderness model, rather than for quick acceleration.

Subaru also includes a maintenance perk in the ownership experience: the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the rugged trim’s added capability comes with a performance compromise, so condition and maintenance history matter more than usual.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a Wilderness model that may have seen trail use. Focus on underbody condition, tire wear, and signs of off-road damage or hard use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Wilderness stands apart with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, extra body cladding, copper accents, and adventure-focused interior materials. It also adds easy-clean surfaces, all-weather floor mats, and cargo-area protection, while seat ventilation is unavailable.
• Powertrain: The Wilderness uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Subaru does not offer turbocharging here, and the CVT uses 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. The Wilderness also adds 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 instrument panel is available, but the system can feel busy and cluttered.
• 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 available information here focuses on the Wilderness and does not detail the base model’s equipment.
• Premium: A step up from base, but the provided data does not spell out its added features.
• Sport: This trim is named in the lineup, though the source material does not describe its unique equipment.
• Limited: A higher-rung trim, but the available content does not break down its specific upgrades.
• Wilderness: This is the one to buy if you want the Forester’s most capable off-road setup. It adds all-terrain tires, more ground clearance, improved angles, underbody protection, a full-size spare, and adventure-ready interior materials. It is the best fit if you want the most distinctive and capable Forester.
• Touring: The top trim in the lineup, but the source material does not provide a feature list for it.

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

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

The market looks moderate for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough deal activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 37.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,244 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.9% 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. The Forester Wilderness also adds active blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.

A caveat to keep in mind is that the previous crash-test result fell short of the highest IIHS honor because of rear-passenger protection performance, though Subaru says it has improved the 2026 Forester’s rear seatbelts.

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:

• 37.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Subaru adds a redesigned Wilderness model with stronger off-road hardware and updated rear-passenger protection.

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 and most distinctive Forester, the 2026 is the better target. If you are price-sensitive and mainly want a well-rounded Subaru crossover, the 2025 remains the easier value play.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.