2026 Subaru Forester Review

The MY26 Forester hits the road here in Australia fresh off a major styling overhaul, revised equipment lists and the option of a proper hybrid system under the bonnet over the previous mild-hybrid system.

The latest-generation Forester range marks one of the most significant midsize SUV releases of the year, with many Aussies adoring the Forester's versatility within the family-friendly segment.

With both petrol and strong hybrid versions of the Forester split across five trim levels, all of which are joined by some pretty significant price increases, is the sixth-gen Forester the best yet? Let's take a closer look to find out.

Subaru Forester Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the MY26 Forester range kick off from $43,490 for the entry-level Forester AWD and stretch out to $55,990 for the range-topping Forester AWD Hybrid Touring.

• Forester AWD - $43,490

• Forester AWD Premium - $46,490

• Forester AWD Hybrid - $46,490

• Forester AWD Sport - $48,490

• Forester AWD Touring - $50,990

• Forester AWD Hybrid Sport - $54,990

• Forester AWD Hybrid Touring - $55,990

These prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Subaru Forester 2.5i (AWD) Specifications

What Features Does the Subaru Forester Have?

Subaru’s entry-level Forester AWD range comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and picks up adaptive LED headlights with LED fog lights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry & start, a surround-view monitor, roof rails, cloth upholstery with heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, dual-zone climate control, power-folding rear seats, hill descent control and Subaru's SI-Drive system.

Upgrading to the Forester AWD Premium adds eight-way power adjustment for the front seats, a powered boot lift and an auto-dipping function for the power-folding side mirrors, while the Forester AWD Sport picks up dark 18-inch alloys, a black grille design, a panoramic sunroof and water-repellent leatherette upholstery.

The Forester AWD Touring picks up a gloss black finish for the front grille, bumpers and mirrors, leather and suede upholstery with seat ventilation and a set of low-profile roof rails.

The Forester AWD Hybrid picks up a tyre repair kit over a spare tyre and wheel-mounted paddle shifters, with the Forester AWD Hybrid Sport picking up 19-inch alloys with bronze styling highlights, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and low-profile roof rails.

Over that, Subaru's range-topping Forester AWD Hybrid Touring picks up dark grey 19-inch alloys and a mix of leather and suede upholstery.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Subaru Forester range picks up a much-needed upgrade to its technological chops, with an 11.6-inch touchscreen unit positioned in the centre of the dash.

It’s the same unit we've seen make its way into the latest versions of the Outback and Impreza.

While it’s not exactly the most sophisticated or feature-rich suite, the latest Forester's infotainment tech serves as a massive upgrade over the outgoing unit and brings it closer in line with its biggest rivals in the segment.

Subaru's 11.6-inch display is mounted vertically and ticks all the boxes when it comes to screen resolution, brightness levels and decent processing power.

There are easily-accessible shortcuts at the bottom of the display alongside physical dials and buttons for the media and climate controls.

Subaru bundles in AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio alongside a six-speaker sound system as standard, while variants like the AWD Touring, AWD Hybrid Sport and higher each pick up a more powerful ten-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system with a built-in subwoofer.

Does the Subaru Forester Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Buyers will be pleased to know that the sixth-generation Forester's technological leap forward extends to wireless smartphone connectivity.

Subaru's 11.6-inch infotainment system offers both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections, catering for both major ecosystems.

This means you can place your phone on the charging pad or leave it in your pocket while accessing your favourite podcasts, preferred navigation app or make calls thanks to the Forester's wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto capabilities.

Is the Subaru Forester Comfortable to Drive?

With no shortage of new hardware lurking underneath, the latest Forester stands as an even more refined and competent take on a fan favourite.

It covers the fundamentals of a midsize SUV package with confidence, making light work of a run through town while remaining smooth and confident on a bash up a rough stretch of country road.

Subaru offers the latest Forester range with a choice of two engines, a petrol-only unit and a stronger hybrid variant that aims to cut down on fuel use with the help of a more powerful electric motor.

Thanks to a revised steering system borrowed from the almighty WRX, it's a simple task wrangling the Forester through town where it feels nice and nimble, even in tight quarters.

The suspension package irons out small and moderate bumps around town without an issue while soaking up some serious punishment on a bumpy stretch of tarmac.

Petrol versions come powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer unit pushing out 136kW of power and 247Nm of torque to all four wheels via a CVT automatic.

Hybrid versions of the Forester come powered by the same 2.5-litre unit paired with an electric motor that pushes out 90kW of power and 212Nm of torque on its own, with combined power figures standing at 145kW.

Towing figures stand at 1,800 for petrol variants, dropping to 1,200kg in the Forester hybrid.

Around town, the Forester hybrid is an incredibly user-friendly package thanks to its lightweight steering and added electrical assistance that makes it even more responsive.

On rough, chipped surfaces and while tackling the highway, Subaru's added insulation has had a noticeable improvement on noise, vibration and harshness levels inside the cabin, which is particularly welcome in the hybrid.

All up, the latest Forester is an improved take on an already-impressive midsize SUV package when it comes to the on-road driving experience, while offering more confidence in the Great Outdoors than many, if not all of its main rivals.

Is the Subaru Forester a Good Off-Roader?

While it's not a hardcore off-roader, the Subaru Forester remains the benchmark for adventure in the typically soft, comfort-focused midsize SUV segment.

In its latest form, Subaru has stuck to what has made the Forester a household name here in Australia, maintaining decent off-road performance that makes it the most versatile option in the segment.

This is largely down to the fact Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive system is fitted to all variants alongside a very healthy dose of ground clearance to give you confidence on some light off-roading excursions.

All versions pick up Subaru's X-Mode to help out with slippery, low-traction environments like mud, gravel and snow, while the AWD Sport and above pick up an upgraded X-Mode system to help out when the going gets tough.

• Ground Clearance: 220mm

• Approach Angle: 19.0 degrees

• Departure Angle: 24.7 degrees

• Breakover Angle: 19.3 degrees

Is it Fuel Efficient?

With the help of some added electrical assistance, the Forester hybrid offers some notable efficiency gains over the previous mild-hybrid range, though it's not a class leader.

On a combined cycle, the Forester petrol range consumes a claimed 7.9L per 100km, which means it's not going to win any awards for efficiency.

Buyers ticking the box on the Forester Hybrid can expect to see fuel economy figures of 6.2L per 100km, making it more than 20 per cent more efficient.

While that’s a noticeable drop in fuel use, the Forester Hybrid still isn’t the segment leader when it comes to fuel economy in the world of midsize SUVs, though it does at least offer a tangible difference for the price premium you're paying.

Both engine variants come packaged with a 63L fuel tank and can drink 91 RON fuel.

• Forester Petrol Fuel Economy - 7.9L per 100km

• Forester Hybrid Fuel Economy - 6.2L per 100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

The Forester has always been a strong performer when it comes to family-friendly practicality.

This very much extends to the latest, sixth-generation Forester, which picks up a revised but familiar cabin layout filled with many of the hallmarks that have made it a hit with families over the years.

Climb aboard and you'll be pleased to see that Subaru continues to offer outstanding visibility and headroom in the front of the cabin.

Thanks to its tall, boxy proportions, the Forester's cabin is one of the most spacious when it comes to dimensions for taller drivers and sheer light entering the cabin, helping with both comfort and confidence behind the wheel.

Look around and you'll see the cabin is uniform with the Outback and Impreza.

While it’s not exactly the most visually striking nor modern interior design on the market, the Forester's cabin is at least a familiar, family-friendly and utilitarian affair.

In terms of storage, the Forester picks up a rubber-lined, centre console tray that doubles as a wireless charging pad, a pair of cupholders and added storage inside the folding armrest.

Move to the second row and the Forester continues to impress with the rear seating experience.

Headroom is, once again, outstanding thanks to the tall roofline and large windows, while legroom is more than plentiful for adults.

The rear seats also receive a neat power-folding mechanism that makes it simple to drop them and load up the Forester with bulky cargo.

Amenities in the second row include a pair of USB ports, air vents, a folding armrest with cupholders and bottle holders inside the doors.

The Forester's second row plays host to ISOFIX anchors on the outboard seats and three top tether mounts on the seatbacks, with easy access into the cabin that makes installation a simple process.

All up, Subaru has done well to translate the Forester's immense practicality into its sixth-generation form without any sacrifices to its family-friendly appeal.

How Big is the Subaru Forester's Boot?

The Subaru Forester maintains its family appeal when it comes to boot space, though there is a bit of a catch in hybrid versions.

In petrol form, the Forester's boot measures 496L with the rear seats standing, positioning it in the middle of the midsize SUV pack when it comes to outright capacity.

Fold the 60/40 split rear seats down and the petrol Forester’s boot expands to a very handy 1,174L when it's time to load up with sports gear and bulky cargo.

In hybrid form, the Forester's boot measures roughly the same, 484L with the seats standing and up to a maximum of 1,162L with the rear bench folded.

The catch is, however, that there's no spare tyre underneath the boot floor in the Forester hybrid, whereas petrol-powered versions pick up a full-sized spare tyre, which is certainly something to keep in mind for regional buyers.

• Forester Petrol Boot Space Minimum: 496L

• Forester Petrol Boot Space Maximum: 1,174L

• Forester Hybrid Boot Space Minimum: 484L

• Forester Hybrid Boot Space Maximum: 1,162L

Is it Safe?

Subaru has given the Forester an updated safety equipment list, with the company maintaining a very healthy amount of active safety tech in all versions.

In fact, Subaru bundles in all of its safety tech into the base model, which is a particularly nice touch in the modern landscape.

That means there's everything from forward and reverse AEB, emergency steering, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, active torque vectoring, lane-keep assist with lane-centring, front-side radar, adaptive cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, an emergency driving stop system, nine airbags and a surround-view monitor with rear parking sensors all fitted into the base version.

Does the Subaru Forester Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Forester comes wearing a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2024 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 83%

• Child Occupant Protection: 91%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 86%

• Safety Assist: 75%

What Warranty does the Subaru Forester Come With?

Subaru offers petrol-powered Foresters with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, while hybrid versions pick up a separate eight-year/160,000 kilometre warranty for the battery.

Buyers also pick up a 12 month roadside assistance membership alongside capped-price servicing plans.

Five years' worth of servicing for both the Forester Hybrid and petrol-powered siblings are priced at the same $2,299 mark.

Service intervals stand at 12 months or 15,000 kilometres.

Our Verdict: Is the Subaru Forester Worth it?

Subaru's sixth-generation Forester range improves upon an already solid proposition that remains one of the most confident, family-friendly and versatile midsize SUVs.

Notably, the introduction of a proper hybrid version over the previous mild-hybrid engine lineup in recent years offers some material fuel economy gains and more refinement on the road, though it's not a segment leader when it comes to outright efficiency.

That said, it's a much-needed step in the right direction, which can also be said for the infotainment suite which is a much more contemporary and competitive offering.

Thankfully, though, Subaru hasn’t changed any of the Forester’s most fundamental calling cards that have made it a hit over the years, which means interior space and practicality is excellent and it's certainly not afraid to get its toes dirty where rivals fall short.

We’d highly recommend adding the Forester to your medium SUV shortlist if you haven't already and be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts for the best price on your next car.

Five Subaru Forester Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty

2. Eight-year/160,000 kilometre hybrid battery warranty

3. 6.2 - 7.9 fuel economy figures (petrol vs hybrid)

4. 497 - 1,174L boot space in petrol form; slightly smaller in hybrid

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2024)