2027 Subaru Forester Review: Safe, Sensible, Standard AWD

The 2027 Subaru Forester suits buyers who want all-wheel drive on every trim, excellent crash-test results and a boxy, easy-to-see-out-of cabin for a price that starts under $30,000. It is not quick, and the gas engine trails the class on fuel economy, but the hybrid fixes most of that and the safety record is among the best in the segment.

*EPA ratings shown are for the 2026 model; Subaru had not published final 2027 figures when this review was written. Powertrains are unchanged for 2027.

Trims and Pricing

For 2027 Subaru trimmed the gas lineup to four trims and dropped the gas Sport, Sport Onyx Edition and Touring. Base and Premium prices are unchanged from 2026, while the Limited and Wilderness went up because equipment that used to be optional is now standard. The big addition is the first-ever Forester Wilderness Hybrid. Prices below are Subaru’s announced MSRPs and do not include the $1,525 destination charge Subaru listed at launch.

Trim	Powertrain	MSRP from
Forester	Gas	$29,995
Premium	Gas	$31,995
Premium Hybrid	Hybrid	$34,730
Limited	Gas	$37,595
Sport Hybrid	Hybrid	$37,930
Limited Hybrid	Hybrid	$38,995
Wilderness	Gas	$39,495
Wilderness Hybrid	Hybrid	$40,495
Touring Hybrid	Hybrid	$41,545

The pricing tells a clear story. The Premium Hybrid costs $2,735 more than the gas Premium, and the hybrid gap shrinks at the top: the Limited Hybrid is only $1,400 more than the gas Limited, and the Wilderness Hybrid is just $1,000 more than the gas Wilderness. For most shoppers, the gas Premium and the Premium Hybrid are the two trims worth comparing first.

Powertrain and Fuel Economy

Gas Foresters use a 2.5-liter flat-four (“boxer”) engine rated at 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD. That output is modest for a compact SUV, and reviewers widely describe the gas model as adequate around town but slow when merging or passing with a full load.

The Forester Hybrid pairs an Atkinson-cycle version of the 2.5-liter engine with two electric motors for 194 combined hp. Subaru’s spec sheet lists the engine at 162 hp and the drive motor at 118 hp. It is not dramatically more powerful, but published tests show it is a little quicker: Edmunds measured 0–60 mph in 8.8 seconds, about 0.4 second better than the gas model in its testing, and noted smoother low-speed response.

Fuel economy is where the two versions split. The EPA rated the 2026 gas Forester at 26 mpg city, 33 highway and 29 combined; the gas Wilderness, with all-terrain tires and a taller ride height, falls to 24/28/26. The hybrid is rated 35 city, 34 highway and 35 combined, and Subaru quotes up to 597 miles of range from its 16.6-gallon tank for 2027. That is a real improvement over the gas car, but it still trails the class leaders: the Honda CR-V Hybrid is rated at up to 40 mpg combined in front-drive form, and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid also post higher numbers.

Towing is 1,500 lb for most Foresters, including the hybrid. The gas Wilderness is uprated to 3,500 lb, which is unusually high for this class and a genuine reason to pick that trim if you pull a small camper or boat.

Interior and Cargo

The Forester’s upright shape pays off inside. Reviewers consistently praise its outward visibility, large windows and easy entry and exit. Rear legroom is a generous 39.4 inches, and the front seats get good marks for comfort.

Cargo space depends on the trim. Subaru’s spec sheet lists 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.4 cubic feet with them folded for the base Forester, while every other trim, including the hybrids, lists 27.5 and 69.1 cubic feet. Those figures are competitive but not class-leading, and Edmunds also noted the Forester’s small-item storage is unremarkable.

Infotainment starts with dual 7.0-inch touchscreens on the base model; most other trims get an 11.6-inch touchscreen. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is standard on the Wilderness and all hybrid trims. Reviewers describe the system as straightforward to use, though some find the graphics dated and responses occasionally slow.

Ground clearance is 8.7 inches on regular trims and 9.3 inches on both Wilderness models, which also add X-MODE with dual modes and all-terrain tires. Few compact SUVs offer that much clearance from the factory.

Technology and Safety

Every Forester comes with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist suite, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane departure prevention and pre-collision braking. Higher trims add blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, and on the Touring Hybrid, a driver-distraction monitor and 360-degree camera. Not all reviewers love the tuning: Edmunds found the adaptive cruise slow to respond and the lane centering prone to wandering in its test car.

Crash-test results are the Forester’s strongest card. The 2026 Forester, including the hybrid and Wilderness, earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the institute’s highest award under its tougher criteria that require a Good rating in the updated moderate overlap test with a rear-seat dummy. Published IIHS results show Good ratings for small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, headlights, and both vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention. NHTSA gave the 2026 Forester five stars overall, five stars for frontal and side crashes, and four stars for rollover. Ratings for a carryover 2027 model usually match, but check IIHS and NHTSA for the exact model year you buy. You can compare those results with our breakdown of Honda CR-V safety ratings.

Reliability and Warranty

Subaru’s warranty is typical for a mainstream brand: 3 years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage and 5 years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Corrosion coverage runs 5 years with unlimited miles. Unlike Toyota, Subaru does not include free scheduled maintenance.

The current sixth-generation Forester arrived for 2025, so long-term reliability data is still limited. All 2027 Foresters are assembled in Lafayette, Indiana. If dependability is your top priority, check open recalls on any vehicle you are considering and review predicted-reliability ratings from independent survey sources before you buy.

How It Compares to the Honda CR-V

The Forester and CR-V target the same buyer, but they make different trade-offs. The Forester starts lower: $29,995 against $31,520 for a 2027 CR-V LX (both before destination), and the Forester includes AWD at that price, while the base CR-V is front-drive. The CR-V answers with more power (190 hp gas, 204 hp hybrid), better gas fuel economy (30 mpg combined FWD), a more efficient hybrid, and more cargo room, with Honda quoting 76.5 cubic feet maximum.

The Forester wins on ground clearance, standard AWD, outward visibility, the 3,500-lb Wilderness tow rating and its Top Safety Pick+ record. If you live where it snows or you use unpaved roads, the Subaru makes a strong case. If you mostly drive on pavement and care about mpg and space, the CR-V is the better fit. Our full Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester comparison goes deeper, and our CR-V AWD vs FWD guide explains when Honda’s optional AWD is worth adding.

Who Should Buy It

• Snow-belt and rural drivers who want AWD and 8.7 inches or more of ground clearance without paying extra.
• Safety-first families who value top IIHS results and standard driver assists.
• Light-duty adventurers who need the gas Wilderness’s 3,500-lb towing capacity, or the Wilderness Hybrid’s mix of clearance and efficiency.
• Value shoppers who will be happy with the Premium or Premium Hybrid and do not need fast acceleration.

Look elsewhere if you want brisk acceleration, the best hybrid fuel economy in the class or the largest cargo hold. The Honda CR-V and RAV4 Hybrid are stronger on those points.

FAQ

Is the Subaru Forester all-wheel drive?

Yes. Every 2027 Forester, gas and hybrid, comes with Symmetrical AWD as standard. There is no front-drive version.

What gas mileage does the Forester Hybrid get?

The EPA rated the 2026 Forester Hybrid at 35 mpg city, 34 highway and 35 combined. Subaru quotes up to 597 miles of range for 2027. Final EPA figures for the new Wilderness Hybrid were not published when we wrote this.

How much can the Subaru Forester tow?

Most Forester trims, including the hybrids, are rated to tow 1,500 lb. The gas Forester Wilderness is rated at 3,500 lb.

Is the Forester safer than the CR-V?

The 2026 Forester earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star NHTSA overall rating. Both are strong results; compare the individual IIHS test scores for the exact model years you are considering, since awards can change from year to year.

How we rate: scores are based on published specifications, EPA estimates, IIHS/NHTSA results, warranty coverage and the consensus of independent expert reviews. Prices are manufacturer starting MSRPs and change often — confirm with a dealer.