Which Subaru Forester is top-of-the-line?
The top-of-the-line Subaru Forester is the Touring trim, which offers the most features and comfort. In some model years, Subaru has also offered a rugged Wilderness variant, but that is a dedicated off-road model rather than the luxury flagship. This article explains the lineup and what makes Touring the leading trim today.
Where the Forester lineup stands in 2024–2025
The Forester generally slots its trims from base to premium equipment, with Touring positioned as the flagship. A separate Wilderness variant exists for off-road enthusiasts, focusing on capability rather than luxury. Exact features can vary by model year, but the Touring remains the standard-bearer for luxury and tech in recent generations.
Touring: the flagship package
As the top trim, Touring bundles the most comprehensive set of features, prioritizing interior comfort, tech, and driver assistance. It represents Subaru’s effort to balance convenience with safety and refinement in a single package.
- Premium interior touchpoints and seating options
- Expanded technology and driver-assistance features
- Upgraded multimedia system with enhanced navigation options
- Comfort amenities such as heated seats and a sunroof on many years
- Refined exterior styling and larger wheels compared with lower trims
Touring commands the highest price among Forester trims, reflecting its feature-rich package and status as the lineup’s luxury benchmark.
The Wilderness: an off-road-focused alternative
First introduced to broaden the Forester’s appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, the Wilderness is a separate variant that emphasizes off-road capability over luxury. It’s not the luxury top trim, but it delivers rugged features designed for tougher terrain.
What Wilderness brings to the table
- Increased ground clearance and rugged exterior styling
- All-wheel drive with additional off-road aids (such as a terrain-focused system)
- Protective underbody plating and reinforced bumpers
- All-terrain tires and other durability upgrades
- Practical outdoor-ready touches like tow hooks and reinforced accents
The Wilderness is the go-to choice if off-road capability is the priority, but it does not serve as the luxury flagship of the lineup.
Other trims at a glance
Beyond Touring and Wilderness, the Forester lineup typically includes Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. Each step up adds more comfort, convenience, and technology while preserving Subaru’s safety features and all-wheel-drive standard posture.
- Base: entry-level package with essential safety and convenience features
- Premium: adds more comfort and convenience features, often with a larger display and upgraded interior
- Sport: introduces styling and feature upgrades for a mid-range option
- Limited: premium materials and advanced tech for a higher-end feel
- Touring: flagship with the most features and premium options
When choosing, buyers weigh luxury, tech, and price against the terrain they expect to encounter, noting that exact equipment can vary by year and market.
Summary
In today’s Subaru Forester lineup, Touring remains the top-of-the-line trim, delivering the fullest set of interior comforts, tech, and driver-assist features. The Wilderness offers a distinct, off-road-focused alternative for rugged use, but it is not the luxury flagship. Always check the latest model-year brochure or dealer sheet for the precise features included with each trim, as equipment can shift with new releases.
What are the levels of a Subaru Forester?
A Forester Hybrid comes out midway through the 2025 model year. Its powertrain makes 194 hp. The 2025 Subaru Forester is offered in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring and Wilderness.
What is the highest level of a Subaru Forester?
Touring
The 2026 Subaru Forester offers a range of trim levels designed to meet the needs of every driver, from practical daily commuters to adventure-ready explorers. The lineup includes the Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims, each with unique features, performance upgrades, and comfort options.
Which Subaru Forester is fully loaded?
Forester Touring
The Forester Touring is the most well-equipped, luxurious, and tech-savvy version of this midsize Subaru SUV. It includes most features which were previously available on trims like the Forester Limited.
What is the most luxurious Subaru Forester?
Touring trim
Sitting at the top of the 2025 Subaru Forester lineup, the Touring trim offers the most advanced features and premium comforts. Inside, it enhances convenience with two-position memory settings for the driver's seat and side mirrors, along with perforated leather-trimmed seating with suede bolsters.
