The 2026 Subaru Forester gets 26 to 35 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD at 35 mpg; the best regular gas version is the 2026 Forester AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) at 29 mpg.
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the Forester ranks 12th of 66 for combined mileage (35 mpg), 9th (tied with 1 other) of 66 for yearly fuel cost ($1,800 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 16th of 66 for tailpipe CO2 (255 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 27 mpg, costs $2,500 a year and puts out 329 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 29 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Forester's best version, 1 other model gets the same and 204 get less. The 2026 Forester's cheapest version costs $1,800 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 27 cost less, 1 the same and 197 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 2026 Kia Sportage | 2026 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid | 36 | $1,800 | 97 |
| 9 | 2026 Lexus RX | 2026 RX 350h AWD | 36 | $2,150 | 244 |
| 9 | 2026 Subaru Crosstrek | 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid AWD | 36 | $1,750 | 246 |
| 12 | 2026 Subaru ForesterThis car | 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD | 35 | $1,800 | 255 |
| 13 | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid AWD | 34 | $1,850 | 258 |
| 13 | 2026 Kia Sorento | 2026 Sorento Hybrid AWD | 34 | $1,850 | 110 |
| 15 | 2026 Lincoln Corsair | 2026 Corsair AWD PHEV | 33 | $2,600 | 122 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Forester AWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L: 26 mpg city, 33 highway, 29 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Forester version is $2,150 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Santa Fe costs $402 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Santa Fe costs $2,010 less to fuel than the Forester (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Forester (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Forester | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid AWD | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 1 lower | $50 more a year | Compare |
| 2026 Kia Sorento | 2026 Sorento Hybrid AWD | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 1 lower | $50 more a year | Compare |
| 2026 Kia Sportage | 2026 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid | 36 mpg | - | 1 higher | - | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester Hybrid AWDHybrid | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-wheel | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,800 | 255 | cheapest |
| 2026 Forester AWD | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-wheel | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,150 | 310 | +$350 |
| 2026 Forester Sport/Touring AWD | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-wheel | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,200 | 317 | +$400 |
| 2026 Forester Wilderness AWD | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-wheel | 24 | 28 | 26 | $2,400 | 347 | +$600 |
The cheapest-to-run hybrid, the 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD (35 mpg, $1,800 a year), costs $350 a year less in fuel than the cheapest-to-run gas version, the 2026 Forester AWD (29 mpg, $2,150 a year).
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Forester; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD puts out 255 grams per mile; across the 4 tested versions the figure runs from 255 to 347.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD: fuel economy score 6 (5 to 6 across versions), greenhouse gas score 6 (5 to 6 across versions).
Best combined figure of the Forester gas version and hybrid each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 27 mpg | none | 3 | 8 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2017 | 28 mpg | none | 3 | 7 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2018 | 28 mpg | none | 3 | 7 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2019 | 29 mpg | none | 1 | 6 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2020 | 29 mpg | none | 1 | 6 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2021 | 29 mpg | none | 1 | 6 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2022 | 29 mpg | none | 2 | 6 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2023 | 29 mpg | none | 2 | 6 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2024 | 29 mpg | none | 2 | 6 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2025 | 29 mpg | 35 mpg | 4 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 29 mpg | 35 mpg | 4 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 4 versions were tested then and 4 now; the best figure went from 35 to 35 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 35 mpg | 35 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Forester AWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Forester Sport/Touring AWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Forester Wilderness AWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | no change |
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 SUBARU FORESTER SUV N/A AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2026 SUBARU FORESTER HYBRID SUV HEV AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 3 variants; the first 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 35 complaints, 4 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: FORESTER, FORESTER HYBRID, FORESTER WILDERNESS.
35 complaints for the 2026 Subaru Forester are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 8 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 | |
| Structure | 4 |
0 of the 35 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 2 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: FORESTER, FORESTER HYBRID, FORESTER WILDERNESS.
4 recalls are on file for the 2026 Subaru Forester at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: FORESTER, FORESTER HYBRID, FORESTER WILDERNESS.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles. The castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened, which can lead to the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the left-front lower control arm ball joint assembly, as necessary, free of charge.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
Fix: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Forester itself is at 35 mpg.
More Subaru models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD with 35 mpg combined (35 city, 34 highway). Among the regular gas versions it is the 2026 Forester AWD at 29 mpg.
The 2026 Subaru Forester costs between $1,800 and $2,400 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD at $1,800; the dearest is the 2026 Forester Wilderness AWD at $2,400. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
In the agency's tests the best hybrid, the 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD, gets 35 mpg combined and the best non-hybrid, the 2026 Forester AWD, gets 29 mpg: 6 mpg more for the hybrid.
The 2026 Subaru Forester is 12th of 66 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at 42 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 27 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek at 36 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe at 34 mpg.
The 2025 model had 4 tested versions and the 2026 model has 4. The best figure went from 35 to 35 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 SUBARU FORESTER SUV N/A AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4; 2026 SUBARU FORESTER HYBRID SUV HEV AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 3 variants; the first 2 are shown.
35 complaints for the 2026 Subaru Forester are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Electrical System (9 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 4 recalls for the 2026 Subaru Forester (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Subaru Forester: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Subaru Forester: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Subaru Forester: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Subaru Forester: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Subaru Forester: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.