2026 Subaru Forester Specs, Trims & Research

Buyer brief

Forester at a glance

Model-year research organized around the questions shoppers compare most: price, powertrain, space, safety and ownership.

The Forester profile is most useful when configuration is visible: Subaru publishes different cargo-volume figures across trims and roof equipment, while its cabin dimensions remain especially strong for tall drivers.

The roomiest published cargo configuration reaches 74.4 cubic feet maximum.

Moonroof/equipment packaging can reduce the published cargo-volume figure.

The 43.3-inch front-legroom figure makes the Forester especially relevant to tall-driver research.

Model-year status

The 2026 Forester lineup spans gasoline and hybrid versions on the current generation, plus the more off-road-oriented Wilderness. Powertrain, cargo and efficiency numbers should be compared by configuration instead of reduced to one headline value.

Evidence status

Why trust this page?

Checked within 90 days

Last checkedSep 16, 2026Profile-level review date

Research sources3Source records attached to this model year

Normalized fit fields33 manufacturer-backed · 0 independent/editorial

Physical-fit coverageCargo 0/5 · Cabin 3/4Coverage counts only calculator-ready fields

Known data gaps

Rigid-cargo geometry coverage: 0 of 5 key physical fields normalized.
Cabin-space coverage: 3 of 4 key headroom/legroom fields normalized.

Lineup

Pricing and trims

U.S. market

Subaru starting MSRPs are shown before destination, taxes and options.

Base$29,995

Gas

Premium$31,995

Gas

Premium Hybrid$34,730

Hybrid

Sport$34,795

Gas

Wilderness$36,995

Gas; capability-focused

Sport Hybrid$37,930

Hybrid

Limited$35,995

Gas

Limited Hybrid$38,995

Hybrid

Touring$39,995

Gas

Touring Hybrid$41,545

Hybrid

Powertrain & efficiency

How it is configured

Engine, output & drive

Gas engine2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification

Gas output180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification

Hybrid system output194 hpSubaru Hybrid System

TransmissionLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specification

DrivetrainSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup

Fuel & efficiency

Gas, selected trimsUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

Sport/Touring gasAbout 25 city / 32 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

WildernessAbout 24 city / 28 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

Hybrid35 city / 34 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

Hybrid rangeUp to 581 milesSubaru published estimate

Dimensions, room & utility

The measurements that affect daily use

How SUVLook compares measurements

Exterior & footprint

Overall length183.3 inMost trims

Wheelbase105.1 inSubaru U.S. specification

Overall width72.0 inMost trims

Ground clearance8.7 inMost trims

Wilderness ground clearance9.3 inSubaru Wilderness specification

Passenger space

Front legroom43.3 inSubaru U.S. specification

Rear legroom39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification

Front headroomUp to 41.2 inEquipment dependent

Passenger volumeUp to 110.8 cu ftConfiguration dependent

Seating5Subaru U.S. specification

Cargo & capability

Towing, most trims1,500 lbProperly equipped

Towing, Wilderness3,500 lbProperly equipped

Maximum cargoUp to 74.4 cu ftRoomiest published configuration

Cargo behind rear seatUp to 29.6 cu ftRoomiest published configuration

Measurement ledger

Detailed verified fields

Evidence labels stay attached so factory specifications, physical measurements and unresolved fit questions are not treated as equivalent.

MeasurementValueEvidence label

Cargo, seats up29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

Maximum cargo74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

Cargo, many equipped trims27.5 cu ftMany moonroof/equipment configurations

Maximum, many equipped trims69.1 cu ftMany moonroof/equipment configurations

Front headroomUp to 41.2 in2026 Subaru U.S. specification

Front legroom43.3 in2026 Subaru U.S. specification

Rear legroom39.4 in2026 Subaru U.S. specification

Safety & driver assistance

Ratings and active-safety context

The 2026 Forester earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and includes EyeSight driver-assistance technology. The hybrid also carries a published NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from Subaru’s U.S. materials.

Safety evidence

IIHS small overlap frontGood2026 rating

IIHS updated moderate overlap frontGood2026 rating

IIHS updated sideGood2026 rating

IIHS headlightsGood2026 rating

Key driver-assistance systems

EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise functions
Available blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert
DriverFocus available on upper trims

Technology & ownership

What changes the day-to-day experience

Cabin technology

An 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available on higher trims.
DriverFocus distraction mitigation is included on selected upper trims.
Power rear gate and panoramic moonroof availability depend on trim and package.
Hybrid models integrate Subaru’s electrified power display and energy-management information.

Ownership notes

Powertrain choiceGas or hybridCompare fuel use, price and cargo packaging by trim

AWDStandardNo separate FWD configuration to price

WarrantyConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage

Buying context

What to compare before you choose a trim

Forester is unusually easy to shortlist for tall drivers because Subaru publishes 43.3 inches of front legroom and up to 41.2 inches of headroom.

The hybrid materially improves city fuel economy while keeping standard AWD, but its pricing and packaging differ from the gas lineup.

Wilderness trades some fuel economy for extra ground clearance and a substantially higher published tow rating.

Moonroof and equipment packaging can reduce published cargo volume, so compare the exact trim instead of relying on the maximum 74.4-cu-ft figure.

Before you measure or buy

Model-year and measurement caveat

SUVLook does not carry the separate 2025 third-party linear cargo measurements forward as guaranteed 2026 dimensions. This profile uses 2026 data only where the existing research supports it.

Quick answers

2026 Subaru Forester FAQs

How much cargo space does the 2026 Subaru Forester have?

The base/roomiest published configuration lists 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 74.4 cubic feet maximum. Many equipped trims list 27.5 and 69.1 cubic feet.

How much front legroom does the 2026 Forester have?

Subaru publishes 43.3 inches of front legroom.

Does a moonroof affect Forester cargo volume?

It can. Subaru publishes lower cargo-volume figures for many moonroof/equipment configurations, so trim context matters.