TL;DR
- The Subaru Forester can tow light loads, typically about 1,500 pounds. This versatile capability is paired with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and advanced safety features.
- If you need heavier Subaru Forester towing, choose the specialized Wilderness trim. This model is purpose-built with hardware changes can a Subaru Forester tow up to 3,000 pounds.
- You can test drive and purchase a 2026 Subaru Forester for sale in New York at Koeppel Subaru.
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As a driver navigating the diverse landscapes of New York, from the bustling streets of Long Island City to weekend retreats upstate, you need a compact SUV that is both dependable for daily commuting and rugged enough for adventure. You are likely familiar with the reputation of the Subaru Forester for its reliability and capability, which is why you may be wondering: can a Subaru Forester tow your small boat, camper, or utility trailer?
The simple and reassuring answer is yes, the Subaru Forester is engineered to confidently handle light recreational loads when properly equipped. The precise amount you can tow depends significantly on the specific model year and trim level you choose. At Koeppel Subaru, your trusted dealer serving Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, we want to help you understand exactly what your Forester can do.
Choosing Your Forester Versatility in New York City
Before diving into the numbers of Subaru Forester towing, consider why the Forester is such a celebrated vehicle among drivers in the New York area. The Forester lineup is known for flexible, capable daily adventures. You can select the beloved Forester for versatile capability, right-size versatility, and trusted reliability. Or, you can find a deeper form of off-road adventure with the rugged new 2026 Forester Wilderness. There is also the 2025 Forester Hybrid giving you greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions alongside trusted all-weather capability.
No matter which trim level you choose, the Forester includes standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, giving you all-weather capability that many competitors cannot match. This system, combined with available X-MODE and dual-function X-MODE, gives you enhanced traction in various conditions. This baseline capability provides assurance whether you are hauling gear through the city or across challenging terrains outside of New York.
The Forester is also highly regarded for its longevity and safety. The dependability of the Forester is backed by automotive experts; 96% of Forester AWD compact SUVs sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today. This retention rate is higher than that of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, or Mazda CX-5. Furthermore, the Forester earned a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Advanced safety features like standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with available Automatic Emergency Steering watch out for you and your passengers. When you combine this proven reliability with superior safety, you have a solid foundation for any vehicle you plan to use for towing.
Maximum Subaru Forester Towing Capacities
The most crucial factor in determining if can a Subaru Forester tow your specific load is knowing the maximum capacity of your vehicle. Subaru engineers designed the Forester to tow confidently when it is set up correctly. Here is a breakdown of the maximum towing capacities across the Forester lineup, keeping in mind that these ratings require the vehicle to be properly equipped:
Modern Forester Models (2014 to Present)
For most current-generation Forester models, the maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds. This 1,500-pound limit applies to the standard trims of the 2025–2023 Forester. This capacity is perfect if you are towing light recreational loads such as a lightweight utility trailer, a single-axle personal watercraft (PWC) trailer, or a small pop-up camper. This light-duty classification carries through earlier non-Wilderness fifth-generation Foresters (2022–2019) and fourth-generation models (2018–2014). If you own one of these models and are staying within the 1,000–1,500 pound range when loaded, you are within the vehicle’s design capabilities.
The Rugged Forester Wilderness Advantage
If your New York adventures require moving heavier gear, the specialized Forester Wilderness trim significantly increases your Subaru Forester towing capabilities. The Wilderness trim is purpose-built for towing larger loads.
The 2025–2022 Forester Wilderness is rated to tow up to 3,000 pounds. This nearly doubles the capacity of the standard Forester trims. This increase is possible because the Wilderness trim includes changes to the cooling, gearing, and hardware. It also comes equipped with Trailer Stability Assist from the factory. If your trailer, such as a small boat or a teardrop camper, might push past 1,500 pounds loaded, the Forester Wilderness is the clear choice for you. The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness also features increased ground clearance with standard all-terrain tires and redesigned styling, making it truly ready for deeper off-road adventures.
Earlier Model Year Capacities
If you own an older model, you may have a different rating for your maximum Subaru Forester towing capacity.
- 2013–2003 Foresters: Third- and late second-generation models were rated higher from the factory. When equipped with the Subaru Class I hitch, these models were rated to tow 2,400 pounds, with a 200-pound tongue-weight limit. If your older model is in good mechanical condition with the proper hardware, you benefit from this higher light-duty rating.
- 2002–1998 Foresters: First-generation models sold in the U.S. were generally rated at 2,000 pounds when utilizing Subaru’s accessory hitch and maintaining a 200-pound tongue-weight capacity. Since these vehicles are older, we strongly advise an extra-thorough inspection of the cooling system, brakes, suspension, and tires before you consider towing anywhere near the maximum rating.
Setting Up Your Forester for Safe Towing
While knowing the maximum capacity is essential, proper setup is critical to safely utilize your Subaru Forester towing capacity on the roads of New York. When you bring your vehicle to the service lane at Koeppel Subaru, we follow a stringent process to ensure you are ready for the road.
It is important for you to always verify the equipment, tongue weight, and trailer-brake requirements specific to your model year before you hook up anything. Subaru literature reinforces that heavier loads may require trailer brakes, and tongue-weight limits are a significant part of the equation.
Understanding Tongue Weight
Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer exerts on the hitch of your Forester. Exceeding the vehicle’s tongue-weight limit is just as damaging and dangerous as exceeding the overall tow rating. As a general guideline, the trailer tongue weight should live in the 8% to 11% range of the total trailer weight.
At Koeppel Subaru, we help you match the correct hitch class and wiring specifically to your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and its rating. We confirm the tongue weight and load distribution to ensure safety.
Trailer Brakes and Essential Checks
Subaru also emphasizes that heavier trailers may require independent trailer brakes. In many states, trailer brakes are legally mandated at relatively low weight thresholds. If needed, our team will advise you on installing a necessary brake controller.
Additionally, before you leave our Long Island City location ready to tow, we conduct essential checks:
- We pressure-test the cooling system.
- We confirm the health of your brake pads and rotors.
- We check the torque of the hitch hardware.
Taking these precautions ensures that you are prepared for the added stress towing places on your vehicle’s components.
Finding a Subaru Forester for Sale in New York
If you are looking for a highly capable vehicle to tackle your towing needs, you need to explore the models available at Koeppel Subaru. We are the New York, NY area new and used Subaru dealership serving the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.
We are eager to serve you whether you are interested in a new 2026 Forester or a certified pre-owned model. We stock an inventory of new 2025 Subaru vehicles, including the Forester and the Forester Hybrid, and we also carry used cars and pre-owned vehicles from other top brands. Our staff is knowledgeable and professionally trained, making the difference between simply acquiring a vehicle and gaining a dedicated team ready to serve all your automotive needs.
If you are interested in finding a Subaru Forester for sale near you, our website allows you to comfortably browse our inventory from the comfort of your home. You can explore the 2026 Forester trims in a helpful side-by-side chart to compare all the features and find the perfect versatile vehicle for your life.
Once you find the new or used car you have always wanted, we can assist you with auto financing, securing a car loan, or setting up a Subaru lease in Queens or nearby Manhattan that fits your budget.
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