2026 Subaru Forester: New Onyx Edition, Standard AWD, and Tradeoffs
The 2026 Subaru Forester adds an Onyx Edition and keeps standard all-wheel drive, but its comfortable, roomy character comes with a laid-back powertrain.
2026 Subaru Forester at a glance
The 2026 Subaru Forester is a standard-all-wheel-drive model with a 2.5-liter flat-four. Its shopper appeal is a new Onyx Edition based on the Sport trim, while Car and Driver praises the roomy interior and comfortable ride. The tradeoff is equally clear: the reviewer criticizes the sleepy engine and CVT-softened performance.
| Detail | 2026 Subaru Forester |
|---|---|
| Wilderness base price | $39,835 |
| Engine | 2.5-liter flat-four |
| Output | 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque |
| Transmission | Continuously variable transmission (CVT) |
| Drivetrain | Standard all-wheel drive |
| New edition | Onyx Edition, based on Sport |
| Onyx details | Black 19-inch wheels; darkened exterior and interior trim |
| Car and Driver rating | 7.5 out of 10 |
What’s new for 2026
The Onyx Edition is the headline change. Based on the Sport trim, it brings black 19-inch wheels plus darkened exterior and interior trim. For shoppers choosing by appearance, the Onyx gives the Sport-based model a distinct darker treatment.
The Wilderness has a $39,835 base price. That figure is specific to Wilderness, so shoppers should not treat it as a lineup-wide price or as the Onyx Edition’s price.
Powertrain, trims, and practicality
The 2026 Forester uses a 2.5-liter flat-four that produces 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
That setup makes the Forester’s priorities easy to read: the drivetrain specification is straightforward, while the review feedback suggests a relaxed rather than urgent character. Car and Driver calls the engine sleepy and says the CVT softens performance. If quick acceleration is important to you, this is the tradeoff to investigate on a test drive.
The practicality case is stronger in the cabin and ride. Car and Driver describes the interior as roomy and the ride as comfortable. Those qualities should appeal to shoppers who value easy daily use more than a sporty engine response, while the standard all-wheel-drive layout is a central reason to put the Forester on the list.
What Car and Driver says
Car and Driver rates the 2026 Subaru Forester 7.5 out of 10. Its positive case centers on space and comfort: a roomy interior and a comfortable ride. Its reservations focus on power delivery, with a sleepy engine and CVT-softened performance.
Taken together, that is a coherent shopper profile rather than a universal verdict. Shopper take: The Forester looks better suited to buyers who prefer a calm, comfortable drive than to those seeking strong acceleration. That is a test-drive question worth answering for yourself.
Who should consider the 2026 Forester
The Forester deserves a close look if you:
- want standard all-wheel drive as part of the vehicle’s core specification;
- value a roomy interior and comfortable ride;
- like the Onyx Edition’s black wheels and darkened trim;
- can accept measured engine response in exchange for a more comfort-oriented character.
Who may want to wait
You may want to wait for a thorough test drive if quick acceleration is a must-have. The engine and CVT are the areas Car and Driver criticizes, and that response may matter more to you than the Forester’s space and ride comfort.
Shoppers focused on the Onyx Edition should confirm its trim-specific price before buying. The $39,835 base price applies to Wilderness, so it should not be assumed to cover the Onyx Edition.
Bottom line
The 2026 Subaru Forester presents a clear trade: standard all-wheel drive, a roomy interior, a comfortable ride, and a new darker Onyx Edition on one side; a 180-hp flat-four paired with a CVT and a less energetic performance character on the other. The Wilderness has a $39,835 base price, but that figure is not a lineup-wide number.
Shopper opinion: The Forester makes the most sense for someone who values comfort, usable space, standard all-wheel drive, and distinctive trim styling more than rapid acceleration. If that sounds like your priorities, it belongs on your test-drive list. If engine response is the deciding factor, wait until you have driven it before committing.
Sources
- Car and Driver — 2026 Subaru Forester — checked September 7, 2026