Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
The 2027 Subaru Forester is rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs, according to Subaru's published specifications. Rated configuration: Wilderness. Trim matters more than engine: every Forester except the Wilderness is rated 1,500 lbs, the 2.0XT turbo (2016–2018) and the Forester Hybrid (2025+) included.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-05 · 16 manufacturer sources
2027 max towing
3,500 lbs
2027 max payload
—
Years covered
2016–2027
Subaru Forester towing capacity by year
| Model year | Generation | Max towing | Max payload | Max-tow configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 6th gen (2025–present) | 3,500 lbs [2] | — | WildernessSubaru's 2027 pricing release gives only the Wilderness rating (3,500 lbs); other 2027 trims are not stated. |
| 2026 | 6th gen (2025–present) | 3,500 lbs [1] | — | Wilderness (2.5L, uprated transmission cooler)All other trims, Forester Hybrid included, rated 1,500 lbs. |
| 2025 | 6th gen (2025–present) | 3,000 lbs [7] | — | WildernessOther trims, Forester Hybrid included, rated 1,500 lbs. Subaru calls the 2026 Wilderness the first based on the sixth-generation Forester. |
| 2024 | 5th gen (2019–2024) | 3,000 lbs [8] | — | WildernessAll other trims rated 1,500 lbs. |
| 2023 | 5th gen (2019–2024) | 3,000 lbs [9] | — | WildernessAll other trims rated 1,500 lbs. |
| 2022 | 5th gen (2019–2024) | 3,000 lbs [10] | — | WildernessWilderness debuted for 2022; all other trims rated 1,500 lbs. |
| 2021 | 5th gen (2019–2024) | 1,500 lbs [11] | — | All trims (2.5L) |
| 2020 | 5th gen (2019–2024) | 1,500 lbs [12] | — | All trims (2.5L) |
| 2019 | 5th gen (2019–2024) | 1,500 lbs [13] | — | All trims (2.5L) |
| 2018 | 4th gen (2014–2018) | 1,500 lbs [14] | — | All trims (2.5i and 2.0XT turbo) |
| 2017 | 4th gen (2014–2018) | 1,500 lbs [15] | — | All trims (2.5i and 2.0XT turbo) |
| 2016 | 4th gen (2014–2018) | 1,500 lbs [16] | — | All trims (2.5i and 2.0XT turbo) |
— = not published in a manufacturer source we could verify; we leave it blank rather than estimate.
2026 Subaru Forester towing capacity by configuration
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Max towing | Payload | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
| Premium | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
| Premium Hybrid | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl hybrid (162-hp engine + electric motor) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
| Sport | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
| Sport Hybrid | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl hybrid (162-hp engine + electric motor) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
| Wilderness | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 3,500 | — | [1] |
| Limited | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
| Limited Hybrid | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl hybrid (162-hp engine + electric motor) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
| Touring | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
| Touring Hybrid | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl hybrid (162-hp engine + electric motor) | AWD | 1,500 | — | [1] |
Ratings in lbs, as published by the manufacturer for the 2026 model year.
What lowers your Forester's real towing limit
- Trim matters more than engine: every Forester except the Wilderness is rated 1,500 lbs, the 2.0XT turbo (2016–2018) and the Forester Hybrid (2025+) included.
- The Wilderness was rated 3,000 lbs for 2022–2025. The sixth-generation 2026–2027 Wilderness is rated 3,500 lbs, which Subaru credits to an uprated transmission cooler and a revised final drive ratio.
- Subaru's 2025 Forester Hybrid spec sheet lists 1,500 lbs (Class 1) with a 150-lb tongue capacity.
The maximum rating assumes a specific, lightly loaded configuration. Three other limits apply on every tow, and the first one you hit is your real limit:
- Payload. Passengers, cargo, accessories and the trailer's tongue weight all count against payload. The payload figure on your door-jamb Tire and Loading Information placard is the one for your exact vehicle.
- Tongue weight. A conventional trailer typically puts 10–15% of its weight on the hitch, so a 5,000-lb trailer adds roughly 500–750 lbs to the truck or SUV. The hitch receiver has its own tongue-weight limit, printed on the receiver label.
- GCWR. The gross combined weight rating caps the loaded vehicle plus the loaded trailer. Every pound of passengers and cargo added to the vehicle comes off the trailer weight you can pull at GCWR.
Always stay within the lowest of these limits for your specific vehicle.
Check your exact Forester tow rating by VIN
The table above shows the range. Your VIN pins down engine, drivetrain and cab; your window sticker adds the axle ratio and tow package.
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FAQ
What is the towing capacity of the Subaru Forester?
The 2027 Subaru Forester is rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped (Wilderness). Source: 2027 Subaru Forester Pricing Announcement (PDF). Lower-rated configurations tow less — the by-configuration table on this page lists each published rating.
Which Subaru Forester model year tows the most?
Among the model years on this page with a manufacturer-published rating (2016–2027), the highest maximum is 3,500 lbs, first published for the 2027 model year (Wilderness).
How do I find my Subaru Forester's exact towing capacity?
Check the certification label on the driver's door jamb for GVWR and the Tire and Loading Information placard for payload, then match your engine, drivetrain, cab/bed and axle ratio to the manufacturer's table. CarWhere's VIN lookup resolves engine, drivetrain and cab from the VIN; the window sticker lists the axle ratio and tow package.
Sources
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2026 Subaru Forester Specs & Trim Levels" https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/2026/specs-trim.html (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2027 Subaru Forester Pricing Announcement (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=51138 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2026 Subaru Forester Pricing Announcement (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=46971 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2026 Subaru Forester At-A-Glance (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=46973 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2026 Subaru Forester Specifications (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=46972 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Specifications (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=45389 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2025 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2025/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2024 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2024/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2023 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2023/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2022 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2022/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2021 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2021/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2020 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2020/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2019 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2019/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2018 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2018/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2017 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2017/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2016 Subaru Forester Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2016/FOR (accessed 2026-11-05)
Methodology: ratings transcribed from official manufacturer specifications, press materials and towing guides; figures we could not verify in a manufacturer source are left blank. Cite this page: CarWhere Research, "Subaru Forester Towing Capacity," carwhere.com/towing-capacity/subaru/forester, updated 2026-11-05.