Nov 10, 2025
2026 Subaru Forester

2026 Subaru Forester Overview

The 2026 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV designed for practicality, all-weather capability and everyday usability. Built with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), it suits drivers in Mid-Michigan who may face snowy winters, wet roads near the Great Lakes Bay Region and mixed commuting conditions.

Exterior Design

The Forester presents a modern design that emphasizes function and visibility. Its roofline offers generous headroom and its squared-off rear enhances cargo access—useful for hauling gear for trips near Saginaw or Midland.

  • Sculpted front fascia with bold and stylish grille
  • LED Steering Responsive Headlights
  • 17”, 18” or 19” aluminum-alloy wheels depending on the trim level
  • Adventure-ready 8.7-inch ground clearance takes on rough terrains with ease
  • Most trim levels add standard LED fog lights, panoramic moonroof, windshield wiper de-ice and heated side mirrors.

Performance

For 2026, the Forester carries over the tried-and-true powertrain and capability.

  • 2.5-liter Subaru BOXER® four-cylinder engine delivering 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.
  • Transmission is a Lineartronic® continuously variable automatic (CVT) with upper trims adding an eight-speed manual mode
  • Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system offers extra traction for Mid-Michigan winters, making the Forester a solid choice for snowy or wet conditions in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
  • Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) provides two distinct vehicle performance modes
  • X-MODE® is on all but the Base trim level and provides snow/dirt and deep snow/mud settings.  The Wilderness trim adds low speed/low ratio gradient control.
  • Maximum towing capacity: 1500 lbs; Wilderness trim: 3500 lbs

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the Forester offers seating for five with generous headroom and legroom, making it well-suited for families or groups exploring central Michigan or handling school runs around Bay City.

  • Comfortable cloth, SynTex® or leather-trimmed seating depending on trim
  • Dual zone automatic climate control system
  • Feature-filled multimedia system controlled by a 7” or 11.6” touchscreen
  • All but Base trim offer heated front seats and wireless device charger

Driver Assist / Safety Features

Safety driver assistance features are a stand-out in the Forester.  Subaru’s standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology provides systems to make every drive more certain.

  • Automatic Emergency Steering
  • Pre-Collision Braking
  • Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering
  • Lane-Keep Assist
  • Lane Departure and Sway Warning

Learn More About the 2026 Subaru Forester in Bay City, Michigan

Ready to learn more about the Michigan adventure-ready 2026 Subaru Forester?  Visit Thelen Subaru in Bay City, MI, serving the Mid-Michigan and Great Lakes Bay Region, to learn more and discover a vehicle built for the road ahead.

Verification Disclaimer:
All information in this overview was sourced directly from the official manufacturer’s website and is accurate to the best of our knowledge.