Unveiling the New 2026 Subaru Forester: A Comprehensive Overview of its Specs
Table of Contents
Comparison with Competitors
The 2026 Subaru Forester stands out among its competitors with its combination of rugged capability, spacious interior, and advanced safety features. To provide a comprehensive comparison, we’ve compiled a table highlighting the key specifications and features of the Forester alongside its main rivals: the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-5.
Engine Power and Fuel Economy
In terms of engine power, the Forester offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. This compares favorably to the Honda CR-V’s 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (190 horsepower, 179 lb-ft of torque), the Toyota RAV4’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (203 horsepower, 184 lb-ft of torque), and the Mazda CX-5’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower, 186 lb-ft of torque).
When it comes to fuel economy, the Forester delivers an impressive 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. This is on par with the Honda CR-V (28 mpg city/34 mpg highway) and the Toyota RAV4 (28 mpg city/35 mpg highway), but slightly behind the Mazda CX-5 (25 mpg city/31 mpg highway).
Interior Space and Features
The Forester boasts a spacious interior with ample room for passengers and cargo. It offers 39.4 inches of front headroom, 39.6 inches of rear headroom, 43.3 inches of front legroom, and 39.4 inches of rear legroom. This is comparable to the Honda CR-V (39.2 inches of front headroom, 38.3 inches of rear headroom, 40.4 inches of front legroom, and 40.1 inches of rear legroom), the Toyota RAV4 (37.8 inches of front headroom, 37.7 inches of rear headroom, 41 inches of front legroom, and 37.8 inches of rear legroom), and the Mazda CX-5 (39.6 inches of front headroom, 38.2 inches of rear headroom, 41 inches of front legroom, and 39.6 inches of rear legroom).
In terms of features, the Forester comes standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a rearview camera. Higher trim levels offer upgrades such as an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a premium audio system. This is similar to the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-5, which also offer a range of infotainment and convenience features.
Safety and Reliability
The Forester has consistently received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It has earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS. This is on par with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-5, which have also received top safety ratings.
In terms of reliability, the Forester has a good track record. It has been ranked among the most reliable compact SUVs by J.D. Power and Associates. This is comparable to the Honda CR-V, which is known for its exceptional reliability, and the Toyota RAV4, which has also earned a reputation for dependability. The Mazda CX-5 has a slightly lower reliability rating than the
