What’s the 2026 Subaru Forester’s MPG?
What Car Shoppers Need to Know
- The 2026 Subaru Forester returns up to 29 mpg combined.
- The 2026 Forester Hybrid is rated at 35 mpg combined.
- Forester priced from $31,445; Forester Hybrid starts at $36,180 (all prices include destination)
Subaru kicked off the Forester’s sixth generation for 2025, redesigning the model to more directly align with America’s bestselling small SUVs. The Forester’s 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine carried over, but this generation also introduced the model’s first hybrid powertrain.
The new gas-electric setup produces just 14 more horsepower than the gas-only 2.5-liter, and it weighs approximately 300 pounds more in base trim. But the electric motor’s torque greatly improves around-town drivability, and the hand-off between electric and gas power is largely seamless.
- ${price_badge()}
- ${ami_badge()}
- ${battery_badge()}${ev_report_link()}
- ${hot_car_badge()}
- ${award_badge()}
- ${cpo_badge()}
${price_badge_description}
${ami_badge_description}
The EV Battery Rating is based on this vehicle's current expected range relative to the vehicles expected range when new. ${battery_badge_text}
This vehicle is certified pre-owned, backed by a manufacturer warranty, and typically undergoes a rigorous multi-point inspection to ensure quality and reliability.
This vehicle is currently in high demand given its competitive price, desirable features, and overall condition, and may have a higher chance of selling quickly.
Shop the 2026 Subaru Forester near you
By the Numbers
If your interest in the Forester Hybrid is rooted in a desire to reduce your personal carbon footprint, it will do that. The hybrid’s EPA-rated 35 mpg combined bests the most efficient gas Forester by 6 mpg. If you’re looking to save money by trimming your fuel bill, it’ll do that, too, but how long it will take to recoup the upfront investment depends on trim level.
The premium Subaru charges for the Forester Hybrid ranges from a high of $3,135 on the Sport trim to just $1,550 on the range-topping Touring. (The base gas-only trim has no counterpart in the hybrid lineup.) With its greater efficiency leading to savings between about $260 and $430 annually, according EPA calculations, you’ll need to hold onto most Forester Hybrids for 10 years to make back the initial investment. Touring buyers, however, will make that money back in just five years.
Below are the Forester’s EPA fuel-economy numbers by trim level.
2026 Subaru Forester MPG
| Trim | City | Highway | Combined |
| Base, Premium, Limited | 26 | 33 | 29 |
| Sport and Touring | 25 | 32 | 28 |
| Wilderness | 24 | 28 | 26 |
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid MPG
| Trim | City | Highway | Combined |
| Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring | 35 | 34 | 35 |
- ${price_badge()}
- ${ami_badge()}
- ${battery_badge()}${ev_report_link()}
- ${hot_car_badge()}
- ${award_badge()}
- ${cpo_badge()}
${price_badge_description}
${ami_badge_description}
The EV Battery Rating is based on this vehicle's current expected range relative to the vehicles expected range when new. ${battery_badge_text}
This vehicle is certified pre-owned, backed by a manufacturer warranty, and typically undergoes a rigorous multi-point inspection to ensure quality and reliability.
This vehicle is currently in high demand given its competitive price, desirable features, and overall condition, and may have a higher chance of selling quickly.
Shop the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid near you
Versus the Competition
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s fuel economy is untouchable in this class, thanks in large part to the design of its all-wheel-drive system. Instead of driving the rear wheels with a traditional mechanical setup, the AWD RAV4 simply adds another electric motor to the rear axle.
The chart below shows how the Forester Hybrid fuel economy stacks up versus competitors.
Forester Hybrid MPG Vs. 2026 Competitors
| Model | City | Highway | Combined |
| Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 46 | 38 | 42 |
| Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | 38 | 38 | 38 |
| Honda CR-V hybrid | 40 | 34 | 37 |
| Subaru Forester Hybrid | 35 | 34 | 35 |
Subarus tend not to compare favorably to the competition in terms of each model’s highest fuel-economy rating because of their standard AWD, but in direct comparison to the AWD competition, the Forester fares better.
This chart shows how Forester MPG compares to gas-only AWD competitors.
Forester MPG Vs. 2026 AWD Competitors
| Model | City | Highway | Combined |
| Nissan Rogue | 28 | 35 | 31 |
| Honda CR-V | 27 | 31 | 29 |
| Subaru Forester | 26 | 33 | 29 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 24 | 30 | 26 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 25 | 29 | 26 |
Read More About the Subaru Forester on Cars.com:
- We Take the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid on Our MPG Loop to See if It Delivers the Goods
- 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Review: Rugged Returns
- How Much Is the 2026 Subaru Forester?
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2025 Subaru Forester?
- Research the Subaru Forester
- Add Cars.com as a Preferred Source on Google
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
