While the prices of nearly everything around us keep going up, there’s at least one thing that’s still the same. We’re still talking about something costing upwards of $30,000, but with average new-car prices considerably higher than that, the Subaru Forester remains an attractive choice for buyers wanting a two-row SUV. Actually, some versions are even cheaper.
It’s not exactly the same price, though. There is a sneaky increase via the destination charge, but it’s a small one.
Subaru Holds The Line For The Third Year
2027 Subaru Forester WildernessSubaru
Over the last few model years, Subaru has done an impressive job of keeping the MSRP for most of its vehicles flat. The popular SUV is no different; the 2027 Forester starts at $29,995 just like last year. Subaru’s destination fee has climbed and is now $1,475 instead of $1,450 (higher in AK and some other states), representing a $25 increase. But that’s still pretty good when others are boosting delivery fees by hundreds or more year over year.
The Forester Premium is actually cheaper than last year. The price for the second-up Forester is $31,995 plus destination, versus $33,385 at the start of model year 2026. Subaru hasn’t cut back on the features, either, and the SUV gets heated front seats, a panoramic roof, the 11.6-inch center screen, and more.
Higher up the range, you can finally get the Wilderness off-road package along with Subaru’s hybrid system. The Forester Wilderness Hybrid gets a suspension lift for 9.3 inches of ground clearance along with all-terrain tires, underbody protection, and a new look just like the gas-powered one.
The difference is that it has a 194-horsepower hybrid system instead of the 180-hp 2.5-liter boxer four. EPA fuel economy estimates aren’t available yet, but based on the efficiency penalty of the go-anywhere extras on the gas model, we expect 33 mpg combined instead of 35 without the Wilderness package. The Forester Wilderness Hybrid starts at $40,495, just $1,000 more than the standard Wilderness.
How Is Subaru Keeping Prices Down?
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid front 3/4 angle in brown while parkedSubaru
The base price for the Forester hasn’t gone up since the new model arrived in 2025, so how has Subaru done it? The company isn’t saying, but it likely has something to do with a serious shift in production. Late last year, Subaru started moving production of the Forester for the US from Japan to its plant in Indiana. Earlier this year, it started building hybrids at that plant as well.
Lower tariffs and lower shipping costs by not going transpacific are surely playing a role in keeping the MSRP flat for 2027. Subaru slashed prices of most versions of the Forester once US production was up and running, and that certainly helps.
In February, Subaru said that “all Subaru Forester models sold in the US are now assembled at the automaker’s facility in Lafayette, Indiana.” Today it says that the model is assembled in both Indiana and Japan.
There are fewer options in the lineup for 2027. Subaru has dropped the Forester Sport (including Onyx) and Touring trims with the gas engine, making them hybrid-only for 2027.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness HybridSubaru
The Forester is one of Subaru’s best-selling vehicles, but it hasn’t used that popularity to squeeze buyers for more cash. Meanwhile, most of its competitors, like the Toyota RAV4, have risen by thousands year over year. That’s a great way to win new customers, if the company can afford it. The question is whether Subaru can keep it up.
The 2027 Subaru Forester and Forester Hybrid will arrive at dealers in the fall.
