In this article 10 sections
Subaru announced 2027 Forester pricing on September 17, 2026. The gas Forester holds at $29,995 and the Hybrid starts at $34,730, both before a $1,525 destination charge, and most trims carry over their 2026 prices. The big addition is the Forester Wilderness Hybrid at $40,495, Subaru’s first hybrid Wilderness. Gas models use a 180 hp 2.5-liter Boxer; hybrids make 194 combined horsepower. Models “will arrive at retailers nationwide later this fall.” The EPA has not yet listed 2027 ratings, so the 2026 figures (up to 35 mpg combined for the hybrid) are the best guide.
Desk research from official manufacturer press releases, EPA data and public specification sheets. We have not driven or tested this vehicle. See our sourcing policy. Last checked October 6, 2026.
The 2027 Subaru Forester is priced and on its way, with a new hybrid Wilderness as the main news. This page covers Subaru’s official pricing, the powertrains, the EPA numbers we can use and whether to buy now or wait. For every other new model, see our 2027 New Cars guide.
Release date: Subaru says 2027 Foresters “will arrive at retailers nationwide later this fall” (September 17, 2026 pricing release); no specific date is given.
We have not driven this vehicle. Figures come from Subaru of America’s September 17, 2026 release and press kit, FuelEconomy.gov and the other sources in the Data Sources list.
What is new on the 2027 Subaru Forester?
Confirmed for 2027: Subaru added the Forester Wilderness Hybrid, described as its first-ever Wilderness model with a hybrid powertrain. It combines the Wilderness hardware, including 9.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires and enhanced underbody protection, with the hybrid system. The gas Forester Wilderness also gains a heated steering wheel and heated rear outboard seats as standard equipment. Subaru also dropped the gas-only Sport, Sport Onyx Edition and Touring trims for 2027.
Subaru’s release headline stresses affordability: the starting prices for the gas Forester ($29,995) and the Forester Hybrid ($34,730) are held at their 2026 levels, and most models carry over their 2026 prices. We did not find any announced change to the engines, so the powertrains below are the ones Subaru lists for 2027.
2027 Subaru Forester vs 2026: what changed?
| Item | 2027 Forester | Status vs 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (gas) | $29,995 | Held at the 2026 starting price (Subaru) |
| Starting price (Hybrid) | $34,730 | Held at the 2026 starting price (Subaru) |
| Wilderness Hybrid | $40,495, Wilderness hardware with hybrid power | New for 2027 |
| Heated rear outboard seats | Standard on gas Wilderness | New for 2027 |
| Gas engine | 2.5L Boxer, 180 hp | No change announced |
| Hybrid system | 2.5L Atkinson/Miller Boxer plus motors, 194 hp combined | No change announced |
| EPA ratings | Not yet listed for 2027 | 2026 ratings below |
Subaru says most Forester models carry over 2026 pricing. The release states that the base Forester, Premium, Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Limited Hybrid and Touring Hybrid keep their 2026 prices. It does not say the same for the gas Limited or Wilderness, so compare those against a 2026 sticker.
How much does the 2027 Subaru Forester cost?
Confirmed for 2027: Subaru lists these MSRPs. Destination and delivery is $1,525, or $1,675 in Alaska, and varies in Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
| 2027 trim | Powertrain | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | Gas | $29,995 |
| Forester Premium | Gas | $31,995 |
| Forester Limited | Gas | $37,595 |
| Forester Wilderness | Gas | $39,495 |
| Forester Premium Hybrid | Hybrid | $34,730 |
| Forester Sport Hybrid | Hybrid | $37,930 |
| Forester Limited Hybrid | Hybrid | $38,995 |
| Forester Wilderness Hybrid | Hybrid | $40,495 |
| Forester Touring Hybrid | Hybrid | $41,545 |
Comparing like with like, the hybrid costs $2,735 more than the gas Premium, $1,400 more than the Limited and $1,000 more than the Wilderness. Estimate payments with our car loan calculator.
What engines, towing and ground clearance does the Forester have?
Confirmed for 2027: All models use a Lineartronic CVT. Gas models have a 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer engine making 180 hp. Hybrids pair an Atkinson/Miller-cycle 2.5-liter Boxer with electric motors for 194 combined horsepower. Standard Foresters have at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and the Wilderness and Wilderness Hybrid raise that to 9.3 inches. The Wilderness offers an uprated 3,500-pound towing capacity.
EyeSight driver-assist technology, with adaptive cruise control, lane centering and pre-collision braking, is on every trim, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard on the Wilderness and the hybrids. The base model includes 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, roof rails and dual 7.0-inch touchscreens.
What is the 2027 Forester fuel economy?
Current 2026 figure; 2027 not announced: FuelEconomy.gov has no 2027 Forester entries yet. The 2026 ratings are the closest official guide and, with no announced powertrain change, a reasonable proxy, though not a guarantee.
| 2026 Forester | EPA city/hwy/combined (mpg) |
|---|---|
| Hybrid AWD | 35 / 34 / 35 |
| Gas AWD | 26 / 33 / 29 |
| Sport/Touring AWD (gas; trims dropped for 2027) | 25 / 32 / 28 |
| Wilderness AWD (gas) | 24 / 28 / 26 |
The hybrid leads the Forester range by six mpg combined over the gas version, and by nine over the gas Wilderness. For other efficient choices, see our best hybrid SUV under $45,000 list, and for off-road context on Subaru’s smaller sibling, our Crosstrek off-road look.
When Is the 2027 Subaru Forester Release Date?
Confirmed for 2027: Subaru says the 2027 Foresters “will arrive at retailers nationwide later this fall.” No specific date is given, and the Wilderness Hybrid has no separate timing in the release.
Related 2027 pages from our series include the 2027 Subaru Outback and the 2027 Toyota RAV4, two likely cross-shopping choices.
Should you buy a 2026 Forester or wait for the 2027?
Using official data only: the 2027 keeps the starting prices, adds the Wilderness Hybrid and heated rear seats on the Wilderness, and makes no announced powertrain change.
- Choose the 2027 if you want the Wilderness Hybrid or heated rear seats on a Wilderness.
- Choose a 2026 if a dealer discount is larger than any 2027 price change on your trim; for most trims Subaru says pricing carries over.
- Wait a few weeks if you want the 2027 hybrid, because arrival is described only as “later this fall.”
For a broader list, see our best SUVs of 2026.
Is the Forester Hybrid worth the extra money on paper?
The 2026 EPA ratings and the 2027 MSRPs let you do a simple fuel calculation. Dividing 15,000 miles by the combined ratings gives about 429 gallons a year for the Hybrid, 517 for the gas Forester and 577 for the gas Wilderness. That is roughly 88 fewer gallons than the gas model and 148 fewer than the gas Wilderness. These are our calculations from 2026 ratings, not Subaru figures, and 2027 ratings may differ.
Set against the price gaps above, $1,000 between the Wilderness and the Wilderness Hybrid and $1,400 between the two Limited trims, the extra cost of the hybrid is the smaller part of the comparison on the top trims. On the entry trims the gap is $2,735. Multiply the gallons saved by your local fuel price to see how long a payback might take.
The ladder of hybrid trims also tells a story. From the Premium Hybrid at $34,730, the Sport Hybrid adds $3,200, the Limited Hybrid adds a further $1,065 and the Wilderness Hybrid $1,500 more, while the Touring Hybrid at $41,545 sits $1,050 above that.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 2027 Subaru Forester cost?
The gas Forester starts at $29,995 and the Forester Hybrid at $34,730, before a $1,525 destination charge. The Wilderness is $39,495, the Wilderness Hybrid is $40,495 and the Touring Hybrid is $41,545.
What is new for the 2027 Forester?
Subaru added the Forester Wilderness Hybrid, its first hybrid Wilderness model, and made heated rear outboard seats standard on the gas Forester Wilderness. Starting prices are held at 2026 levels.
What engine does the 2027 Forester use?
Gas models use a 2.5-liter Boxer engine making 180 hp. Hybrid models use an Atkinson/Miller-cycle 2.5-liter Boxer with electric motors for 194 combined horsepower. All use a Lineartronic CVT.
What is the Forester fuel economy?
FuelEconomy.gov has no 2027 entries yet. For 2026 the EPA rates the Forester Hybrid at 35 mpg combined, the gas model at 29 and the Wilderness at 26.
When does the 2027 Forester go on sale?
Subaru says the 2027 Foresters will arrive at retailers nationwide later this fall. It has not published a specific date.
How much can the Forester Wilderness tow?
Subaru lists an uprated 3,500-pound towing capacity for the Wilderness.
When is the 2027 Subaru Forester release date?
Subaru says the 2027 Foresters will arrive at retailers nationwide later this fall, per its September 17, 2026 pricing release. It has not published a specific date, and the Wilderness Hybrid has no separate timing.
Specs, prices and safety ratings change between model years and trims. Verify them for the exact 2027 Subaru Forester you are considering:
2027 SUVs & Minivans Guide
Every 2027 model in one place: 2027 New Cars guide. More in this series:
Data Sources and Verification
Morgan Reyes is the founder and editor-in-chief of NextCarReview, which Morgan launched in August 2024. A 2022 graduate of Columbia University, Morgan is based in New York and writes and edits the site’s reviews, comparisons and buying guides. Morgan does not road-test vehicles. Every article is built from published primary data: EPA FuelEconomy.gov ratings, NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and owner complaints, IIHS results, and manufacturer specifications and pricing, with each figure cited and checked before publication. Contact: admin@nextcarreview.com
