The 2027 Subaru Forester continues to offer a starting price below $30,000, with the popular two-row SUV maintaining its $29,995 MSRP for the third consecutive year despite rising prices across the new-car market. However, Subaru has increased the destination charge by $25, while some Forester versions are actually cheaper than they were for the 2026 model year.
Subaru Keeps the Forester Starting Price at $29,995
The 2027 Subaru Forester starts at $29,995, unchanged from the previous model year. The destination charge, however, has increased from $1,450 to $1,475, with higher fees applying in Alaska and some other states.
The $25 increase is relatively small compared with delivery-fee increases of hundreds of dollars seen elsewhere from one model year to another.
Subaru has also reduced the price of the Forester Premium. The second-up trim now starts at $31,995 plus destination, compared with $33,385 at the beginning of the 2026 model year.
The lower price does not come with fewer features. The Forester Premium includes heated front seats, a panoramic roof, an 11.6-inch center screen and more.
Forester Wilderness Hybrid Joins the Lineup
The 2027 Forester lineup also expands the availability of Subaru’s hybrid system to the Wilderness off-road package. The Forester Wilderness Hybrid features a suspension lift that provides 9.3 inches of ground clearance, along with all-terrain tires, underbody protection and a new appearance similar to the gas-powered model.
Instead of the 180-horsepower 2.5-liter boxer four found in the gas-powered version, the Forester Wilderness Hybrid uses a 194-horsepower hybrid system.
EPA fuel economy estimates are not yet available for the hybrid Wilderness. Based on the efficiency penalty associated with the go-anywhere extras on the gas model, the expected figure is 33 mpg combined rather than 35 mpg without the Wilderness package.
The Forester Wilderness Hybrid starts at $40,495, which is $1,000 more than the standard Wilderness.
Why Is Subaru Keeping Forester Prices Down?
Subaru has not explained how it has kept the Forester’s base price unchanged since the new model arrived in 2025. A major shift in production could be contributing to the strategy.
Late last year, Subaru began moving US Forester production from Japan to its plant in Indiana. Earlier this year, the company also started building hybrids at the Indiana facility.
Lower tariffs and reduced shipping costs from avoiding transpacific transportation are likely playing a role in keeping the 2027 Forester’s MSRP flat. Subaru also reduced prices for most Forester versions once US production was operating.
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, the company says the model is assembled in both Indiana and Japan.
2027 Forester Trim Changes
The Forester lineup has fewer options for the 2027 model year. Subaru has discontinued the Forester Sport, including Onyx, and Touring trims with the gas engine.
Those trims are now available only with the hybrid powertrain for 2027, while the Forester continues to start at $29,995 before destination charges.
