The 2026 Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV with a boxy five-door body style that provides high visibility, easy entry and exit, and cargo space behind the rear seats. It includes standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and competes in the segment with vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Kia Sportage. The 2026 model carries over the sixth-generation platform introduced for 2025 with minor refinements to the structure and features. The base powertrain uses a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine rated at 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, mated to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive on all trims.
The STARLINK Multimedia system centers on an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available what3words navigation using three-word addresses. EyeSight Driver Assist Technology comes standard across the lineup, providing adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention with emergency steering, and pedestrian detection. Higher trims offer a fully digital instrument cluster, and a hybrid powertrain option pairs the gasoline engine with electric motors to improve fuel efficiency while retaining all-wheel drive capability. The MySubaru app enables remote start, door lock/unlock functions, and service reminders. Over-the-air software updates support the infotainment system, with navigation map updates available through subscriptions.
What You're Really Signing Up For
- Auto start-stop resets nag frequently even after OTA updates.
- Infotainment feels slow and laggy with touchscreen HVAC controls.
- DriverFocus and EyeSight cameras scan and record without easy opt-out.
- Opting out of subscriptions disables key features like remote start.
- Remote start shuts down if doors aren't locked, adding extra steps.
Top Reported Issues
The most frequently mentioned problems by owners
Infotainment slow and laggy
The Forester's central infotainment touchscreen is slow to react, with noticeable delays and lag, es...
Auto start-stop resets
The auto start-stop system shuts off the engine at stops to save fuel but cannot be permanently disa...
Touchscreen HVAC controls
Many basic functions like climate (HVAC) and seat heaters are now controlled via the touchscreen rat...
No GPS tracking toggle
Subaru's Starlink/MySubaru connected services include always-on GPS/cellular modules for location tr...
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the 2026 Subaru Forester
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