For U.S. vehicles; figures from Subaru's 2026 Forester trim comparison and brochure, as recorded in SUVLook's profile (last updated September 16, 2026). This guide covers the 2026 model year only; do not apply it to other years.

The 2026 Subaru Forester is rated to tow 1,500 lb on most trims and 3,500 lb on the Wilderness. Both ratings carry Subaru's "properly equipped" condition. That means the answer to "how much can a Subaru Forester tow" depends on which trim you are looking at, and a small utility trailer fits the base rating while a mid-size camper or boat generally will not.

2026 Forester towing capacity table

2026 Forester configuration Published towing capacity Condition
Most trims 1,500 lb Properly equipped
Wilderness 3,500 lb Properly equipped

Both numbers come from the Forester profile, which is built on Subaru's trim comparison. The Wilderness rating is 2,000 lb higher than the other trims (calculated from the table). Subaru also lists a higher ground clearance for the Wilderness, 9.3 inches against 8.7 inches on most trims.

Which trims get which rating?

The 2026 Forester lineup, with starting prices before destination from the profile, is:

Trim Starting MSRP Powertrain Tow rating
Base $29,995 Gas 1,500 lb
Premium $31,995 Gas 1,500 lb
Sport $34,795 Gas 1,500 lb
Limited $35,995 Gas 1,500 lb
Touring $39,995 Gas 1,500 lb
Wilderness $36,995 Gas 3,500 lb

"Most trims" is the wording Subaru's data uses in the profile. Upgrading to Limited or Touring adds comfort and technology but, based on the profile, does not raise the tow rating. If towing matters, the Wilderness is the trim to look at, and it costs $1,000 more than the Limited and $3,000 less than the Touring.

What about the Forester Hybrid?

The 2026 Forester Hybrid is sold in Premium ($34,730), Sport ($37,930), Limited ($38,995) and Touring ($41,545) trims. SUVLook's profile lists the hybrid system at 194 hp but does not list a separate towing rating for it, and we have not found one in the sources we use. For that reason we do not state a hybrid figure here. Do not assume the hybrid matches the gas "most trims" number; confirm it in the Forester owner's manual or with a Subaru dealer before you buy a trailer.

Conditions that come with the number

Subaru describes the figures as applying to a "properly equipped" vehicle. In practice that means:

  • Trim and drivetrain. The two ratings above are tied to trim. Every 2026 Forester has standard Symmetrical all-wheel drive, so there is no front-wheel-drive version to price separately.
  • Equipment. A hitch receiver, wiring and any required accessories must be factory- or dealer-installed to Subaru's specification. SUVLook's profile does not list which hitch hardware is included, so we do not describe it here.
  • Braked vs unbraked. The profile gives one number per configuration and does not break out an unbraked trailer limit. If your trailer has no brakes, check the owner's manual for the limit that applies rather than using the headline figure.
  • Model year. These ratings are 2026 figures. Older Foresters have their own specifications.

Always confirm the rating for your exact vehicle in the owner's manual and on the door-jamb label. If an aftermarket hitch is stamped with a higher number than the Forester's rating, the Forester's lower rating still governs. We do not give hitch-installation instructions; follow the manual and use a qualified installer.

What 1,500 lb and 3,500 lb mean in practice

A tow rating is the maximum trailer weight, not the weight of the trailer as advertised. A trailer's "dry" or empty weight does not include water, propane, batteries, gear or whatever you load into it. Weigh the loaded trailer, or use the gross trailer weight rating on its own label, and compare that figure with the rating.

At 1,500 lb, think small: a compact cargo trailer or a light utility trailer, loaded modestly. At 3,500 lb, the Wilderness has more headroom, though many travel trailers and boats weigh more than that once loaded. We are not stating typical trailer weights because they vary widely; check the specific trailer.

Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer puts on the hitch. It counts against the SUV's carrying capacity alongside passengers and cargo. SUVLook's profile does not publish a Forester tongue-weight limit or payload figure, so use the owner's manual and the load label on your own vehicle. Passenger and luggage weight reduce what is left for tongue weight, so a full car of people changes the picture even when the trailer is within the tow rating.

How the Forester compares with rivals

Published 2026 towing figures from SUVLook's other vehicle profiles:

Compact SUV (2026) Published towing figure Condition (as published) Source
Subaru Forester 1,500 lb; 3,500 lb Wilderness Properly equipped Subaru
Toyota RAV4 Up to 3,500 lb; 1,750 lb on FWD models and LE AWD 3,500 lb on specified AWD hybrid/PHEV grades Toyota Newsroom
Honda CR-V 1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybrid By powertrain Honda specifications
Kia Sportage 2,500 lb With trailer brakes Kia Media
Mazda CX-50 2,000 lb gas; 1,500 lb hybrid By powertrain Mazda USA

On a standard trim the Forester's 1,500 lb matches the gas CR-V and trails the Sportage, CX-50 and the best RAV4 grades. The Wilderness's 3,500 lb equals the top RAV4 rating, but only on the Wilderness trim. Note that these rows have different conditions: the Sportage figure assumes trailer brakes, and the RAV4's top figure applies only to certain grades, so they are not perfectly like-for-like. For a wider look see our SUV towing capacity guide.

Before you tow with a Forester

  1. Confirm your exact trim, model year and powertrain, and read the matching rating in the owner's manual.
  2. Find the loaded weight of the trailer, not the empty weight.
  3. Check whether the trailer needs its own brakes and what the manual says about unbraked limits.
  4. Account for passengers and cargo, plus the trailer's tongue weight, against the load label.
  5. Have a qualified installer confirm the hitch and wiring match Subaru's requirements.

If you tow close to the limit often, consider the Wilderness or a vehicle with a higher rating instead of looking for ways around the limit. That is an editorial buying suggestion, not a manufacturer statement.

Related SUVLook research

Frequently asked questions

How much can a Subaru Forester tow?

The 2026 Forester is rated 1,500 lb on most trims and 3,500 lb on the Wilderness, both when properly equipped.

Which Forester trim tows the most?

The Wilderness, at 3,500 lb.

Can the Forester Hybrid tow?

SUVLook's profile does not list a hybrid towing rating, so we do not state one. Check the owner's manual or ask a Subaru dealer.

Does the Forester come with a trailer hitch?

SUVLook's profile does not say which hitch hardware is standard. Confirm what is installed on the specific vehicle before relying on it.

Can a Forester tow a camper?

Only if the loaded camper weighs less than the rating for that trim, and the tongue weight and equipment also meet the manual's requirements. With the base 1,500 lb rating, most campers will be too heavy.

Has SUVLook tested these towing ratings?

No. The ratings are manufacturer-published, and the examples and checklists are editorial guidance, not towing tests.

Sources