How fast does a Subaru Forester go from 0 to 60?
In most modern Foresters, 0 to 60 mph happens in roughly 9 seconds. Turbocharged XT variants from older generations can reach the sprint in the mid‑6-second range. Actual times vary by model year, engine, transmission, and testing conditions.
Understanding these numbers requires looking at how Subaru has offered the Forester across its generations. This article breaks down typical 0–60 mph figures for current, commonly driven configurations and notes how turbocharged and older models differ, along with what factors influence measured times in real-world driving.
Current Forester models: 0–60 mph with the standard 2.5L engine
Below are typical figures for the Forester’s standard, non-turbo setup found in recent model years.
- 0–60 mph (2.5L flat-4 with CVT): approximately 9.0–9.5 seconds.
- Note: The exact time can vary by model year, vehicle condition, and testing environment. Modern Foresters emphasize steady acceleration and efficiency rather than sporty sprinting.
For most daily driving and family usage, these times reflect the Forester’s focus on practicality, all‑wheel drive traction, and comfort rather than outright acceleration performance.
Turbocharged and older XT-era Foresters: when acceleration is noticeably quicker
In the Forester’s turbocharged line—now discontinued for the U.S. market but produced in earlier generations—the 0–60 mph sprint was substantially faster.
- 0–60 mph (turbocharged 2.0L variants, roughly 2004–2013 across various XT trims): about 6.0–7.0 seconds, depending on generation, transmission, and tuning.
These faster figures came from Subarus with turbocharged engines and sportier calibrations. They are representative of older XT-era models and are not indicative of the current, non-turbo Forester lineup.
Testing and real‑world factors that affect 0–60 results
Automotive testing methods and conditions can swing 0–60 times by a second or more. Factors include vehicle weight (passengers and cargo), tire choice and wear, elevation and air density, temperature, and whether the test uses launch control, a driver with optimal technique, or standard acceleration. Subaru’s current Forester lineup relies on a CVT designed for smooth, efficient launches rather than aggressive straight-line performance, so real‑world 0–60s may trend toward the upper end of the published ranges in everyday driving.
Summary
Today’s Subaru Forester with the standard 2.5L engine typically reaches 0–60 mph in about 9.0 to 9.5 seconds, depending on year and conditions. Turbocharged XT-era Foresters from earlier generations were considerably quicker, generally in the 6.0–7.0 second range. For most buyers, the Forester’s strengths lie in all‑wheel-drive capability, practicality, and efficiency rather than outright sprint speed.
In sum, pace varies by model and era: modern Foresters are a reliable, comfortable family SUV with respectable acceleration for daily use, while the turbocharged variants of the past offered brisker performance for enthusiasts.
How fast can a Subaru Forester go from 0 to 60?
8.3 seconds
The 2026 Subaru Forester has a top speed of 127 mph and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds. A new hybrid option will change these figures to 194 horsepower with improved acceleration thanks to its electrical power.
Which Subaru SUV is the fastest?
The fastest upcoming Subaru SUV is the 2026 Trailseeker EV, with an estimated 0-60 mph time of around 4.4 seconds. Among current models, the fastest is the 2025 Outback Wilderness, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds due to its turbocharged engine.
You can watch this video to learn more about the upcoming Trailseeker EV and its features: 47sVision Effect TVYouTube · Apr 16, 2025
Upcoming models
- 2026 Subaru Trailseeker EV: Anticipated to be the fastest Subaru ever, this electric SUV is expected to have a 0-60 mph time of approximately 4.4 seconds, powered by a 375-horsepower dual-motor setup.
Current models
- 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness: The fastest current production SUV, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds, achieved with its turbocharged engine.
- 2025 Subaru Outback XT: The powerful engine option for the Outback accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
- 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness: Has a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds.
- 2025 Subaru Forester: Achieves 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds with its 2.5-liter engine.
- 2024 Subaru Ascent: Has a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds for the Touring and Onyx Edition Limited models.
This video demonstrates the performance of the 2025 Subaru Outback XT: 55sRealistickYouTube · Apr 2, 2022
What is the weakness of a Subaru Forester?
Oil Consumption
Many drivers have reported that they need to get their oil changed more frequently than they have had to in other cars. This is likely due to oil cracks or leaks in the camshaft and crankshaft seals as well as the oil pump seal.
Is the Subaru 2.5 Turbo a good engine?
New Subaru 2.5 engines are reliable, although people have mixed feelings and results with CVT transmissions. The problem with older EJ25 engines is that fluids would sit and rest against the shear line where the manifold meets the block - which is normal for boxer engines.
