Subaru Forester Premium, Touring, Wilderness & More

Last updated August 4, 2026

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester lineup starts with the 2.5X, 2.5i, X, and base models, which deliver the practical all-wheel-drive basics with fewer extras. Premium models are the everyday comfort step, while Limited models emphasize a nicer cabin and easier cargo access. The one-year X LL Bean Edition is an older leather-and-heated-seat special edition. The branches are easy to separate. Hybrid Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring models focus on fuel economy and stronger technology. XT models are the discontinued turbo performance Foresters. Sport and Sport Onyx Edition lead with darker styling, Touring is the fully loaded comfort and technology trim, and Wilderness is the trail-focused model with extra clearance and greater towing ability.

What each trim is known for

Subaru Forester Base Model

Base Model

2.5X2.5iXbase

The Base Model trim level — 2.5X, 2.5i, X, and base — is the simplest Forester, built around standard all-wheel drive, useful space, and everyday practicality.

Best for: Drivers who want the core Forester experience without paying for comfort, appearance, or trail-focused upgrades.

Highlights

  • Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
  • Flat-folding rear seatbacks and practical cargo space
  • Tall seating position and everyday utility
  • On newer models, EyeSight driver assistance and touchscreen phone integration
72 in stock
Subaru Forester Special Editions

Special Editions

X LL Bean Edition

The Special Editions trim level — X LL Bean Edition — is a comfort-focused, non-turbo Forester with leather and cold-weather equipment rather than extra performance.

Best for: Used-SUV shoppers seeking an older Forester with a warmer, more upscale cabin and straightforward all-weather ability.

Highlights

  • Leather-trimmed upholstery
  • Heated front seats, mirrors, and windshield-wiper area
  • Automatic climate control
  • Power-adjustable driver’s seat

Adds leather upholstery, heated front seats and mirrors, automatic climate control, and a power driver’s seat over the Base Model.

0 in stock
Subaru Forester Mid-Level

Mid-Level

2.5X Premium2.5i PremiumPremium

The Mid-Level trim level — 2.5X Premium, 2.5i Premium, and Premium — is the mainstream comfort upgrade, known for a moonroof, a power driver’s seat, and more daily convenience.

Best for: Drivers who want a more comfortable, better-equipped Forester without making luxury or specialized capability the priority.

Highlights

  • Panoramic power moonroof
  • Power-adjustable driver’s seat
  • Comfort and cargo-carrying convenience upgrades
  • On recent models, heated front seats and a larger touchscreen

Compared with Special Editions, Mid-Level is the broader mainstream comfort tier, pairing a moonroof and power driver’s seat with more everyday convenience.

200 in stock
Subaru Forester Hybrid

Hybrid

LimitedPremiumSportTouring

The Hybrid trim level — Limited, Premium, Sport, and Touring — brings an electrified all-wheel-drive focus to familiar Forester trims without stripping away comfort or technology.

Best for: Forester shoppers who prioritize fuel economy but still want useful comfort, cargo, safety, and infotainment features.

Highlights

  • Hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain
  • Large touchscreen with built-in navigation
  • Digital instrument display
  • Blind-spot alerts and a hands-free power rear gate

Adds an electrified AWD focus, built-in navigation, digital gauges, blind-spot alerts, and a hands-free rear gate over Mid-Level.

323 in stock
Subaru Forester Premium Comfort

Premium Comfort

2.5X Limited2.5i LimitedLimitedX Limited

The Premium Comfort trim level — 2.5X Limited, 2.5i Limited, Limited, and X Limited — is the comfort-first Forester, known for a nicer cabin and easier day-to-day cargo access.

Best for: Drivers who value seat comfort, cabin materials, and convenience more than sporty styling or trail hardware.

Highlights

  • Panoramic power moonroof
  • Comfort-focused power-seat upgrades
  • Leather-trimmed cabins on many earlier Limited models
  • Power rear gate and easier rear-seat folding on newer versions

Adds the Limited tier’s passenger-seat adjustment, one-touch rear-seat folding, rain-sensing wipers, and cargo-access convenience over Hybrid.

121 in stock
Subaru Forester Performance

Performance

2.0XT Premium2.0XT Touring2.5XT Limited2.5XT Premium2.5XT TouringXTXT Limited

The Performance trim level — 2.0XT Premium, 2.0XT Touring, 2.5XT Limited, 2.5XT Premium, 2.5XT Touring, XT, and XT Limited — is the discontinued turbo Forester branch built for stronger acceleration.

Best for: Drivers who want Forester visibility, cargo room, and all-weather traction with noticeably stronger passing power.

Highlights

  • Turbocharged four-cylinder engine
  • Sportier controls, suspension tuning, or exterior cues depending on year
  • Panoramic power moonroof
  • Leather and added comfort on Limited and Touring XT versions

Adds turbocharged acceleration and sportier hardware over Premium Comfort; Limited and Touring XT versions also retain upscale cabin features.

17 in stock
Subaru Forester Sport Styling

Sport Styling

SportSport Onyx Edition

The Sport Styling trim level — Sport and Sport Onyx Edition — gives the Forester a darker, more athletic appearance while preserving its practical everyday mission.

Best for: Shoppers who want a bolder-looking Forester and durable-feeling cabin trim without needing the older XT model’s turbo performance.

Highlights

  • StarTex upholstery
  • Large wheels with dark or bronze-look finishes
  • Sport-oriented drive modes
  • Panoramic power moonroof

Adds darker appearance details, StarTex upholstery, larger wheels, and sport-oriented drive modes over Performance, while moving away from turbo power as the defining feature.

66 in stock
Subaru Forester Fully Loaded

Fully Loaded

2.5X Touring2.5i TouringTouring

The Fully Loaded trim level — 2.5X Touring, 2.5i Touring, and Touring — is the top comfort-and-technology Forester, with richer materials and the broadest driver-awareness equipment.

Best for: Drivers who want the Forester’s practical shape with its fullest comfort, camera, and convenience package.

Highlights

  • Top-tier cabin and convenience equipment
  • Leather-trimmed seating across many years
  • Memory seating and upgraded climate comfort
  • On later models, ventilated seats, broader camera coverage, and driver monitoring

Adds richer seating, broader camera coverage, driver monitoring, and additional comfort equipment over Sport Styling.

80 in stock
Subaru Forester Off-Road

Off-Road

Wilderness

The Off-Road trim level — Wilderness — is the trail-focused Forester, built around more ground clearance, tougher protection, and low-speed rough-road ability.

Best for: Campers and outdoor-focused drivers who regularly travel on rough roads, tow gear, or need more capability beyond maintained pavement.

Highlights

  • 9.3 inches of ground clearance
  • Two-setting X-MODE traction management
  • Revised gearing and front underbody protection
  • 3,500-pound towing capacity

Adds trail clearance, low-speed gearing, underbody protection, and greater towing capacity over Fully Loaded, while shifting the emphasis away from luxury.

37 in stock

Trim comparison

FeatureHybridOff-RoadMid-LevelBase ModelPerformanceFully LoadedSport StylingPremium ComfortSpecial Editions
Includes
Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring323 in stock
Wilderness37 in stock
2.5X Premium, 2.5i Premium, Premium200 in stock
2.5X, 2.5i, X, base72 in stock
2.0XT Premium, 2.0XT Touring, 2.5XT Limited, 2.5XT Premium, 2.5XT Touring, XT, XT Limited17 in stock
2.5X Touring, 2.5i Touring, Touring80 in stock
Sport, Sport Onyx Edition66 in stock
2.5X Limited, 2.5i Limited, Limited, X Limited121 in stock
X LL Bean Edition0 in stock
Powertrain identityHybrid AWD focusGas AWDGas or hybrid AWDGas AWDTurbo gas AWDGas or hybrid AWDGas or hybrid AWDGas or hybrid AWDNon-turbo gas AWD
Turbo performanceNon-turboNon-turboNon-turboNon-turboDefining featureNon-turboNon-turboNon-turboNon-turbo
Panoramic moonroofCommon on member trimsNot a defining featureSignature featureNot a defining featureCore XT featureLong-running Touring featureSignature featureSignature featureNot a defining feature
Cabin themeTech-rich and efficientAdventure-focused utilityEveryday comfort upgradeStraightforward and practicalSporty; luxury varies by XTRichest comfort treatmentStarTex and darker trimLimited-style comfortLeather and cold-weather comfort
Power rear gateHands-freeNot central to the trimNot central to the trimNot central to the trimNot central to the trimPart of broader convenience focusSport Onyx EditionHands-free on newer versionsNot central to the trim
Defining capability or equipmentNavigation, digital gauges, hybrid AWDExtra clearance, trail gearing, underbody protectionMoonroof and power driver’s seatCore AWD and cargo flexibilityTurbo power and sportier hardwareSurround-view camera and driver monitoringSport modes and larger wheelsPower-seat and cargo convenienceHeated cold-weather equipment

Frequently asked questions

What does the Forester Premium add over the Base trim?

On current-generation Foresters, Premium adds the features many drivers notice daily: an 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, and wireless phone charging. Older Premium trims follow the same comfort-focused idea, but details vary.

What’s the difference between the Forester Premium and Sport?

In recent lineups, Premium is the comfort-focused middle trim, while Sport adds a bolder appearance and upgraded cabin materials. Current-generation Sport models use 19-inch wheels, StarTex upholstery, and low-profile roof rails. Sport is mainly a styling step, not a separate high-performance model.

What’s the difference between the Forester Sport and Limited?

On newer Foresters, Sport emphasizes 19-inch wheels, darker styling, and StarTex upholstery. Limited shifts toward comfort and convenience with a hands-free power rear gate, a power front passenger seat, one-touch folding rear seats, and rain-sensing wipers.

What does the Forester Touring add over the Limited?

On current-generation models, Touring adds the richest cabin and camera equipment. Key upgrades include leather-trimmed seats with suede-like inserts, ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, driver-seat memory, a 360-degree camera, a smart rear-view mirror, and driver-monitoring technology.

What’s the difference between the Forester Sport and Sport Onyx Edition?

The Sport Onyx Edition is a more heavily equipped version found on newer sixth-generation models. It deepens the blackout look and adds an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a hands-free power rear gate, and automatic braking when backing up.

What’s the difference between the Forester Sport and Wilderness?

Sport is primarily the style-led Forester, while Wilderness is built for rough roads and camping trips. On the current Wilderness, upgrades include 9.3 inches of ground clearance, revised gearing, underbody protection, a front-view camera, reinforced roof rails, and a 3,500-pound tow rating.

Should I get a Forester Wilderness or Touring?

Pick Wilderness for trails, rough access roads, heavier towing, and tougher exterior hardware. Pick Touring for on-road comfort, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, richer upholstery, and a 360-degree camera. Their missions are different even though both sit near the top of the lineup.

What equipment comes on every newer Forester Hybrid trim?

In the newest hybrid lineup, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring share a 194-hp hybrid AWD system, an 11.6-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a hands-free power rear gate.

Which Forester trim makes the most sense for everyday family use?

Premium is usually the practical place to start. Older Premium models commonly add a moonroof, roof rails, and a power driver’s seat. Newer ones add heated front seats, a larger touchscreen, wireless phone connections, and more convenience without shifting into luxury or trail-focused equipment.

Which Forester trims have a hands-free power rear gate?

On newer Foresters, Limited is the main comfort-focused trim with a hands-free power rear gate, while the newer Sport Onyx Edition also includes one. The newest hybrid lineup includes this feature across Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.

Which Forester trim is the one to look for if I camp or drive rough roads?

Wilderness is the trail-focused Forester. Since its 2022 introduction, it has emphasized extra ground clearance, specialized traction settings, tougher protection, and revised gearing. The current version also brings reinforced roof rails, a front-view camera, and a 3,500-pound tow rating.

Which Forester trim has ventilated front seats and heated rear seats?

On current-generation models, Touring is the trim with ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats. It also adds driver-seat memory and richer seat materials. Older Touring models remain the top comfort trim, but their exact seat features vary by year.

What does XT mean on an older Subaru Forester?

XT identifies a turbocharged, performance-focused Forester from the 2009–2018 era. Earlier 2.5XT versions made 224 horsepower, while later 2.0XT versions made 250. Premium versions focused on power and sporty hardware; Touring or Limited versions added more comfort and safety equipment.

What do X, 2.5X, and 2.5i mean in Forester trim names?

They are older names for the regular non-turbo Forester family. X and 2.5X appear on earlier generations, while 2.5i appears on the 2014–2018 generation. Premium, Limited, and Touring after the engine name indicate progressively more comfort and equipment.

What’s the difference between the Forester 2.0XT Premium and 2.0XT Touring?

Both use the 250-hp turbo engine. The 2.0XT Premium focuses on acceleration, sport-tuned suspension, shift paddles, and everyday Premium equipment. The 2.0XT Touring adds a richer cabin and, on later examples, more standard safety technology, plus features such as a heated steering wheel and driver-seat memory.

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