2026 Subaru Forester: What You Actually Get at Each of the Six Trim Levels
May 18 2026,
The 2026 Subaru Forester comes in six trim levels, and each one builds on the last in a clear, purposeful way. For buyers who want to understand exactly what they're getting at each price point — and which trim matches their driving life — a side-by-side look at the full lineup is the most useful starting point. Whether you want a capable all-wheel-drive SUV at a straightforward price or a fuel-efficient hybrid with top-shelf comfort features, there's a Forester built for that.
Every 2026 Forester starts with a 180 hp, 2.5-litre SUBARU BOXER engine paired with a Lineartronic CVT and Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time All-Wheel Drive. Standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and 220 mm of ground clearance carry through the lineup. The differences between trims come down to comfort features, technology, and — at the top end — powertrain. Here's how each level stacks up.
Convenience: The Capable Starting Point
The Convenience trim opens the Forester lineup with everything you need for confident, connected driving — without paying for features you may not use. It comes with the 2.5-litre BOXER engine, X-MODE with Hill Descent Control, a dual 7.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and cloth seating with heated front seats. EyeSight is standard, as is keyless entry and a 6-way manually adjustable driver's seat.
- Standard Symmetrical AWD and X-MODE with Hill Descent Control
- Dual 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Heated front seats, cloth seating surfaces
- EyeSight Driver Assist Technology standard
Best for: Buyers who want AWD reliability and safety tech without the full upgrade package.
Touring: The Technology Step-Up
Moving to Touring adds connectivity and comfort upgrades that make a noticeable difference on daily drives. The 7.0-inch dual display gives way to an 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, along with MySubaru Connected Services. A leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, upgraded premium cloth seating, and a Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection system with Blind Spot Detection come standard at this level.
- 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
- MySubaru Connected Services (free 3-year trial)
- Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Best for: Drivers who spend time on busy roads and want seamless smartphone integration and added safety coverage.
Sport: The Outdoor-Ready Trim
The Sport trim takes the Touring's feature set and adds a distinctive look along with more driver-focused hardware. Dark grey accents on the lower body cladding and gloss black trim pieces set it apart visually. SI-DRIVE now gains an Intelligent (I) and Sport Sharp (#) pairing specifically for the Sport trim — versus the Intelligent and Sport (S) mode available on other trims — giving drivers a more active throttle response when they want it. A 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat also joins the package.
- Sporty black exterior accents and gloss black trim pieces
- SI-DRIVE with Intelligent and Sport Sharp modes
- 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat
Best for: Buyers who want a sportier feel and a more personal exterior presence alongside the core Touring features.
Limited: The Comfort-Forward Choice
At the Limited level, the Forester adds Subaru's proximity key with push-button start, navigation-ready GPS infotainment, and genuine leather seating surfaces. Front seats gain ventilation on three settings and memory positioning for the driver's seat, including exterior mirror synchronization. Heated rear outboard seats also become standard, making longer trips more comfortable for all passengers.
- Leather seating with ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats
- Driver's seat memory settings with exterior mirror synchronization
- GPS navigation on 11.6-inch infotainment
- Proximity key with push-button start
Best for: Buyers who want full comfort features for family drives and want the refined interior feel of leather seating.
Premier: The Full-Featured Forester
The Premier rounds out the gasoline Forester lineup with Ultrasuede seat inserts with brown accent stitching, woodgrain dashboard accents, and an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. It adds everything the Limited offers and layers on additional refinements for buyers who want the Forester at its most polished. Power-adjustable heated front seats are included, and the rear bench features one-touch flat-folding 60/40-split seatbacks for fast cargo loading.
- Leather with Ultrasuede inserts and brown accent stitching
- Woodgrain dashboard trim accents
- 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
- One-touch flat-folding 60/40-split rear seatbacks
Best for: Buyers who want the complete Forester package — every comfort, convenience, and style feature — without moving to a hybrid powertrain.
e-BOXER Hybrid Premier: The Efficiency Peak
The e-BOXER Hybrid Premier uses a next-generation Subaru series-parallel e-BOXER hybrid powertrain: a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle SUBARU BOXER engine paired with an electric motor generator and electric traction motor. Total system output is 194 hp — 14 hp more than the standard engine — while combined fuel economy improves significantly compared to the non-hybrid models. The hybrid system integrates with the Lineartronic CVT and Symmetrical AWD with no loss to off-road capability. A high-capacity sealed lithium-ion battery supports the electric side of the drivetrain without displacing cargo space.
Beyond the powertrain, the e-BOXER Hybrid Premier adds a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with navigation, the Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system, and all features from the standard Premier trim.
- 194 hp from the 2.5-litre e-BOXER series-parallel hybrid powertrain
- Symmetrical AWD, X-MODE with Hill Descent Control retained
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with navigation
- All comfort and safety features of the standard Premier
Best for: Buyers who want best-in-lineup fuel efficiency without giving up any of the Forester's AWD capability or cargo practicality.
Comparing the 2026 Forester Trims
|
Feature |
Convenience |
Touring |
Sport |
Limited |
Premier |
e-BOXER Hybrid Premier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
180 hp 2.5L BOXER |
180 hp 2.5L BOXER |
180 hp 2.5L BOXER |
180 hp 2.5L BOXER |
180 hp 2.5L BOXER |
194 hp e-BOXER Hybrid |
|
Infotainment |
Dual 7.0-inch |
11.6-inch tablet |
11.6-inch tablet |
11.6-inch + GPS |
11.6-inch + GPS |
11.6-inch Multimedia Plus |
|
Seating |
Cloth |
Premium Cloth |
Premium Cloth |
Leather |
Leather + Ultrasuede |
Leather + Ultrasuede |
|
Driver Seat Adjust |
6-way manual |
6-way manual |
10-way power |
10-way power + memory |
10-way power + memory |
10-way power + memory |
|
Heated Rear Seats |
— |
— |
— |
Standard |
Standard |
Standard |
|
SI-DRIVE |
I + S modes |
I + S modes |
I + Sport Sharp modes |
I + S modes |
I + S modes |
— |
|
Digital Gauge Cluster |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
12.3-inch |
|
Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto |
— |
Standard |
Standard |
Standard |
Standard |
Standard |
Your Next Forester Is Waiting
The 2026 Forester lineup is built to cover a lot of ground — from a well-equipped entry point to a full hybrid SUV with class-leading efficiency. The right trim depends on how you drive, what you carry, and what you want every time you sit down behind the wheel.
Visit the team at Subaru of Maple in Vaughan to explore the full 2026 Forester lineup and find the trim that fits your life.
