This is Why the 2026 Subaru Forester is the Best Compact SUV for You in New York

Key Points:

• The 2026 Subaru Forester has been named the Top Compact SUV for 13 consecutive years according to Consumer Reports, and it earned a 2026 Top Pick designation.
• Every trim includes standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the lineup gets up to 33 mpg on the gas model, and the cabin has more passenger room than the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, or Mazda CX-5.
• We carry all six Forester trims at Koeppel Subaru on Northern Blvd in Long Island City, and 96% of Foresters from the last decade are still driving today.
• You can test drive and purchase a 2026 Subaru Forester for sale in Queens, New York at Koeppel Subaru.

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Also Read: Want the Best Midsize SUV in Queens? Buy the 2026 Subaru Outback!

Compact SUV shopping in New York can feel like an endless loop. You read one review that says the RAV4 is best. Then another one says the CR-V. Then someone mentions the Tucson, the Rogue, the CX-5. Each one has a feature that sounds great until you realize it comes with a trade-off somewhere else.

So let us cut through the noise. The 2026 Subaru Forester has been named the Top Compact SUV for 13 years in a row according to Consumer Reports. Thirteen consecutive years. That kind of consistency does not happen without real advantages in the areas that actually matter to everyday drivers. Here is what makes the Subaru Forester in NY the one to beat, and why Queens drivers keep choosing it over the competition.

Why Has the 2026 Subaru Forester Been Named the Best Compact SUV for 13 Straight Years?

The 2026 Subaru Forester is a 2026 Consumer Reports Top Pick, an honor given to only 10 vehicles in the entire country. Subaru is also Consumer Reports Best Overall Automotive Brand for the second year in a row. Those rankings are based on independent testing across reliability, safety, owner satisfaction, and overall quality.

Every Forester comes with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The gas Forester lineup achieves up to 33 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city, with actual figures varying depending on trim. That combination of all-weather traction and fuel efficiency is something the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson cannot match, according to Subaru's competitive comparison. When you add in the interior space, safety ratings, and longevity data we will cover below, the case for the Subaru Forester in NY gets very hard to argue against.

Does the 2026 Forester Have More Space Than the RAV4 and CR-V?

Yes. The 2026 Subaru Forester provides up to 110.8 cubic feet of passenger volume. That is more interior room than the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Mazda CX-5. Your rear-seat passengers actually have room to stretch out, which matters on longer drives from Queens to the Catskills or down to the Jersey Shore.

Cargo space is generous too. Up to 74.4 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded beats the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. An extra-wide rear gate opening makes loading easy, and an available foot-activated power rear gate lets you open it with a kick when your hands are full of grocery bags or sports gear. If you are comparing the best compact SUV options and interior room is high on your list, the Forester has measurable advantages over its closest competitors.

Is All-Wheel Drive Standard on the 2026 Forester?

Every single 2026 Subaru Forester comes with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment. The system sends power to all four wheels at all times. It constantly evaluates your acceleration, braking, and cornering in real time, and if a wheel slips, power is instantaneously transferred to the wheels that have the most grip. The entire system lies along the centerline of the vehicle, balancing weight distribution between both sides for optimal performance and control.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive has demonstrated its durability and low maintenance over four decades of owner-tested Subaru vehicles. Standard trims give you 8.7 inches of ground clearance, while the Wilderness trim raises that to 9.3 inches with standard all-terrain tires for serious off-road capability. X-MODE is standard on the Premium trim, and dual-function X-MODE with settings for snow, dirt, deep snow, and mud comes standard on the Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring.

For New York drivers who deal with winter storms, flooded intersections, and potholed streets across Queens, that all-weather traction is not a luxury. It is essential.

How Safe Is the 2026 Subaru Forester?

The 2026 Subaru Forester earned a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from NHTSA. Subaru is rated number one in safety for seven years in a row according to ACSI. Every Forester comes with standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which acts like an extra set of eyes on the road. EyeSight monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns you if you drift outside your lane. Automatic Pre-Collision Braking can alert you and apply full braking force in emergency situations, and Pre-Collision Throttle Management can reduce engine power to help minimize impact damage.

Available Automatic Emergency Steering can help you avoid a collision with automatic steering and pre-collision braking support if it determines there is enough space to intervene. A 360-degree Surround-View Monitor is available to help you park in tight city spots. DriverFocus can detect if your attention drifts from the road. Available Blind-Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Reverse Automatic Braking add additional awareness when you are changing lanes or backing up.

Subaru has sold over 1 million EyeSight-equipped vehicles. That track record of real-world use backs up the technology.

How Long Does a Subaru Forester Last Compared to Competitors?

Ninety-six percent of Subaru Forester vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today. That longevity rate is higher than the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape. The Forester is also ranked number one for 2025 Projected Resale Value among compact SUVs according to JD Power, which means it holds its value well if you ever decide to sell or trade in.

When you are spending your money on a family vehicle in New York, knowing it will still be running reliably a decade from now matters. That is the kind of durability data that makes the Subaru Forester for sale in Queens a smarter long-term investment than most of the competition.

What Tech Comes Inside the 2026 Forester?

An available 11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen is standard on the Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Subaru Multimedia System is standard on all trims. Wireless charging is available so you can leave your cables at home. Wireless Bluetooth pairing and hands-free smartphone operation come standard across the lineup.

Premium upholstery options include leather-trimmed, Ultrasuede-trimmed, and durable StarTex materials depending on trim. The newly available Onyx Edition Package on the Sport adds gloss-black and metallic-finish accents, 19-inch alloy wheels with a unique dark metallic finish, and Black/Gray StarTex upholstery for a sharper look inside and out.

Where to Buy a Subaru Forester for Sale in Queens, NY?

You can find the Subaru Forester for sale in Queens at Koeppel Subaru on Northern Blvd in Long Island City. We carry all six trims of the 2026 Subaru Forester: Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Come sit in the cabin, test the touchscreen, check the cargo space, and take one for a drive through your actual neighborhood.

Looking for more Subaru vehicles? See our current inventory and certified pre-owned models that are value for your money!