May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
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Mark Miller Subaru Midtown
2026 Subaru Forester in Salt Lake City, UT
The most visibility, the most glass, and now a hybrid.
- Drivetrain
- Standard AWD
- EPA-Est. MPG
- 26 city / 33 hwy
- Hybrid Combined
- Up to 35 mpg
- Ground Clearance
- 8.7 in
2026 Model Research
Why the 2026 Forester Works in Salt Lake City
The 2026 Subaru Forester is the practical center of the Subaru lineup, and the addition of the Forester Hybrid makes it the most flexible it has ever been. The standard 2.5-liter BOXER produces 180 horsepower and returns an EPA-estimated 26 city and 33 highway mpg. The hybrid pairs that engine with Subaru's own electrified system for a combined output of 194 horsepower and up to 35 mpg combined, without giving up Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
What sells the Forester in Salt Lake City, Sugar House, Millcreek is the glass. The Forester has more usable window area and a taller seating position than almost anything in the compact SUV segment, and that matters on a snowy morning merging onto I-15, I-80 and the 2100 South corridor or backing out of an alley in Sugar House. Add 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance and the Forester covers an I-15 commute and a canyon road in the same afternoon without asking the driver to plan around it.
2026 Forester at a Glance
| Vehicle class | Compact SUV |
|---|---|
| Standard engine | 2.5L BOXER four-cylinder, 180 hp / 178 lb-ft |
| Available powertrain | Forester Hybrid, 194 combined hp |
| Transmission | Lineartronic CVT |
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (standard) |
| EPA-estimated MPG | 26 city / 33 hwy (2.5L); up to 35 combined (Hybrid) |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in standard / 9.3 in Wilderness |
| Seating | 5 passengers |
| Max towing | Up to 3,000 lbs (Wilderness) |
Model Year Changes
What's New on the 2026 Subaru Forester
Forester Hybrid available across Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring trims
Hybrid system delivers 194 combined horsepower and up to 35 mpg combined with standard AWD
Wider standard availability of the 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen
Expanded EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with a wider-angle stereo camera and improved processing
Available Panoramic Power Moonroof and available heated rear seats on upper trims
Revised Wilderness suspension tuning and 9.3 inches of ground clearance
Features and Capability
2026 Subaru Forester Features
Performance, Hybrid Power and Capability
The standard 2.5-liter BOXER four-cylinder makes 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque through a Lineartronic CVT, rated at an EPA-estimated 26 city and 33 highway mpg. It is smooth, quiet at freeway speed, and entirely adequate for the way most people actually use a compact SUV.
- 180 hp 2.5L BOXER standard, or 194 combined hp from the Forester Hybrid
- Up to 35 mpg combined from the hybrid, with all-wheel drive still standard
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard on every Forester, hybrid included
- 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance; 9.3 inches on Wilderness
- Dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control on available trims
- Up to 3,000 lbs towing capacity on Wilderness
Interior Space, Visibility and Cargo
The Forester's defining feature is not on a spec sheet. It has upright pillars, a tall greenhouse and large side glass, which produces the kind of outward visibility that has mostly disappeared from modern SUVs. In practice that means fewer blind spots merging in traffic, easier parallel parking, and a genuinely better view when you are looking for a trailhead sign.
- Class-leading outward visibility from an upright greenhouse and large side glass
- Rear doors that open nearly 90 degrees for easy child seat installation
- Available StarTex water-repellent upholstery for wet gear and pets
- Available Panoramic Power Moonroof and heated rear seats
- Squarer cargo hold with a wide, low load opening
- Standard roof rails with available crossbars for boxes, bikes and skis
Technology and Safety
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard on every 2026 Forester, and for 2026 the stereo camera has a wider field of view with faster processing. The suite covers pre-collision braking and throttle management, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane departure prevention and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.
- Standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with an upgraded wide-angle stereo camera
- Available 11.6-inch multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation with driver recognition on upper trims
- Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Reverse Automatic Braking and available Surround View Monitor
- STARLINK Safety and Security with SOS emergency assistance
Trim Walk
What Each 2026 Forester Trim Adds
Trims are where most of the research happens. Here is what actually changes as you move up the range, and who each one suits. Live pricing and availability for Salt Lake City are on the vehicles listed above.
Base
2.5L BOXER, 180 hp
The lowest-cost way into standard AWD and 8.7 inches of clearance.
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard
- Standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
- Dual 7-inch or available 11.6-inch multimedia
- 17-inch wheels and roof rails
Premium
2.5L BOXER or Hybrid
Where most buyers land. Adds the screen and the heated seats.
- 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen
- Heated front seats and All-Weather Package
- Available Panoramic Power Moonroof
- Hybrid powertrain available
Sport
2.5L BOXER or Hybrid
Blacked-out trim and the StarTex interior for gear-heavy households.
- Gray Sport StarTex water-repellent upholstery
- Dark exterior accents and 19-inch wheels
- Dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control
- Hybrid powertrain available
Limited
2.5L BOXER or Hybrid
Leather, premium audio and the full driver-assist suite.
- Leather-trimmed seating with power driver's seat
- Harman Kardon premium audio
- DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation
- Reverse Automatic Braking
Touring
2.5L BOXER or Hybrid
The most comfortable Forester for long highway days.
- Ventilated front seats and heated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel and Nappa-grade leather trim
- Surround View Monitor
- Panoramic Power Moonroof standard
Wilderness
2.5L BOXER, 180 hp
Rough dirt roads, dispersed camping and deep unplowed snow.
- 9.3 inches of ground clearance with revised suspension tuning
- Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires
- 3,000 lbs towing capacity and stronger roof load rating
- Full StarTex interior with Anodized Copper accents
Exterior Colors
2026 Subaru Forester Color Options
Availability varies by trim. Ask us which combinations are in stock or on the way to Midtown.
Crystal White Pearl
River Rock Pearl
Crystal Black Silica
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Crimson Red PearlLocal Knowledge
Driving the Forester in Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front
Utah asks more of a vehicle than most places do. A Salt Lake City winter means inversion mornings, salted roads and a storm cycle that can drop a foot overnight on Parleys Canyon while the valley floor stays wet. Summer means triple-digit heat, long climbs and dirt roads that get rough by August. The Forester is built for both ends of that, and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard rather than an upcharge.
Ground clearance is the specification people underrate until they need it. An unplowed side street in Sugar House, a washboard road to a trailhead, or a snowbank at the mouth of Emigration Canyon are all situations where a couple of extra inches decide whether you keep going. Add X-MODE for the loose and slick stuff, and standard roof rails for the ski and bike season that runs most of the year here.
Serving Forester drivers in
- Salt Lake City
- Sugar House
- Millcreek
- Holladay
- South Salt Lake
- Murray
- Capitol Hill
- The Avenues
- Liberty Wells
- Rose Park
- Glendale
- Downtown Salt Lake City
Canyons and roads nearby
- Parleys Canyon
- Emigration Canyon
- Millcreek Canyon
- City Creek Canyon
- Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Little Cottonwood Canyon
Resorts within reach
- Alta
- Snowbird
- Solitude
- Brighton
- Park City
Cross Shopping
How the 2026 Forester Compares to Other Subaru Models
Most people shopping a Forester are weighing it against something else in the Subaru lineup. Here is the honest version of each comparison, with links to the full research page for each model.
Forester vs Crosstrek
Same 8.7 inches of clearance and the same standard AWD. The Forester is bigger in every direction that matters: rear seat room, cargo volume and visibility. The Crosstrek costs less and is easier to park.
2026 Crosstrek researchForester vs Outback
The Outback is longer, quieter at highway speed, tows more and offers a 260 hp turbo. The Forester has better outward visibility, a shorter footprint and a hybrid option that returns up to 35 mpg combined.
2026 Outback researchForester vs Ascent
If you need a third row even occasionally, the Ascent. If you do not, the Forester is smaller, more efficient, less expensive and easier to live with in a city garage.
2026 Ascent researchForester vs Solterra
The Solterra is the electric equivalent in roughly the same footprint. It is quieter and cheaper per mile if you charge at home. The Forester Hybrid gets you most of the efficiency with none of the charging logistics.
2026 Solterra researchQuestions
2026 Subaru Forester FAQs
How much cargo space does the 2026 Forester have?
The Forester has one of the squarer cargo holds in the compact SUV class, with a wide, low load opening and rear seats that fold close to flat. In practice that means a stroller and a Costco run together, or two sets of skis inside without a roof box. Standard roof rails take crossbars when you need the space above as well.
Is the Forester Hybrid worth the extra cost?
For a valley commute, usually yes. The hybrid returns up to 35 mpg combined against 26 city for the gas engine, and city driving is where the gap is largest. If most of your miles are highway runs to Alta and Snowbird or out to Wendover, the payback period is longer and the standard 2.5-liter may make more sense.
Does the Forester Hybrid still have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Subaru kept Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard on the Forester Hybrid. That is not true of every hybrid compact SUV in the segment, and it is the main reason the Forester Hybrid works as a Utah vehicle.
Forester or Crosstrek, which should I buy?
The Forester is larger in every dimension that matters: rear seat room, cargo volume and outward visibility. The Crosstrek is shorter, easier to park, and costs less. If you regularly carry passengers in the back or haul bulky gear, take the Forester. If it is mostly one or two people and you want the smallest footprint with the same clearance, take the Crosstrek.
How much ground clearance does the 2026 Forester have?
8.7 inches on standard trims and 9.3 inches on the Forester Wilderness. Both are higher than most compact SUVs in the class, and both are standard rather than part of an off-road package.
What is the difference between Forester Sport and Forester Wilderness?
Sport is an appearance and interior package: dark accents, 19-inch wheels and Gray StarTex upholstery, on the standard suspension. Wilderness is a mechanical change: taller ride height, all-terrain tires, revised suspension tuning, a higher tow rating and a stronger roof load rating.
Next Step
Drive a 2026 Forester in Salt Lake City
The fastest way to settle a trim question is to drive two back to back. Tell us which canyons you drive and what you haul, and we will line them up.
Mark Miller Subaru Midtown
3535 S. State St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Sales: [SALES PHONE]
Hours: [SALES HOURS]
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Specifications, equipment and availability shown on this page are based on preliminary 2026 model year information and are subject to change. EPA-estimated fuel economy and range figures are for comparison purposes only; actual results vary with driving conditions, load, temperature and vehicle condition. EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and all driver assistance systems are designed to assist the driver and are not substitutes for safe and attentive driving. Confirm current equipment and availability with Mark Miller Subaru Midtown.
