The sixth-generation Subaru Forester has barely had time to settle into dealerships, having only arrived for the 2025 model year, but Subaru is already giving its family-friendly compact SUV some upgrades. The changes are modest rather than transformative, yet they should only strengthen what’s already one of the brand’s biggest sellers.
While the changes have so far only been announced for the Japanese market, there’s every reason to expect at least some of them will eventually filter through to US-spec models. That matters because the Forester remains one of Subaru’s heavy hitters here, trailing only the smaller Crosstrek in sales.
2026 Subaru Forester Touring Front View (Japanese Model)Subaru
Small But Meaningful Changes
Subaru’s latest round of updates focuses less on visual tweaks and more on the kind of day-to-day usability improvements Forester buyers will actually notice. Every model now gets an enhanced digital rearview mirror with improved image quality, which could be a boon in poor weather or low-light environments – exactly the sort of subtle enhancement that fits the Forester’s practical personality.
2026 Subaru Forester Touring Interior View Dashboard (Japanese Model)Subaru
Elsewhere, Subaru has strengthened the performance of the wireless charging pad, and on Foresters equipped with the SUV’s new hybrid powertrain, which was added in the US for the 2026 model year, there’s now a standard 1,500-watt accessory power outlet. That kind of power adds another layer of real-world versatility to a vehicle already known for its camping and road-trip credentials.
New Touring and Touring EX trims have also been added, available on the turbocharged 1.8-liter flat-four engine that the Forester comes standard with in Japan and other markets. This isn’t the same Touring trim offered in the US, which adds some premium touches, including leather upholstery.
2026 Subaru Forester Touring Front 3/4 View (Japanese Model)Subaru
In Japan, the two trims are aimed at value hunters and add full black for the plastic cladding that hugs the vehicle’s lower portions, 18-inch wheels with a dark metallic finish, and an interior donned in either black or gray cloth. Other details include accent stitching, a memory function for the driver’s seat, and heated seats in the rear. Opting for the Touring EX trim over the basic Touring adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (instead of the standard analog and digital screen split) and Subaru’s Eyesight X ADAS driver-assist package.
What’s In Store For The US
2026 Subaru Forester Touring Rear 3/4 View (Japanese Model)Subaru
As mentioned in the opening, Subaru hasn’t confirmed any of these updates for the US market just yet. However, the company has already laid out some early plans for the 2027 model year, specifically the availability of the rugged Forester Wilderness trim paired with the hybrid powertrain. Subaru says owners can expect up to a 25% improvement in city fuel economy compared with the current gas-only model.
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Over here, the Forester currently comes standard with a 2.5-liter flat-four engine rated at 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The available hybrid setup pairs a hybrid-optimized 2.5-liter flat-four with two electric motors for a combined output of 194 hp (a combined torque figure hasn’t been published). Production for the US market is handled at Subaru’s plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
