2025 Subaru Forester towing capacity
Max tow rating
3,000lb
- Wilderness AWD, 2.5L 4cyl.
- Base trim: 1,500 lb.
- Rank 117 of 159 SUVs (2025).
Trailer check
Yes. 2,400 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 3,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 2,400 lb
- Margin
- 600 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- II, up to 3,500 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 66% of 3,620 lb
Within the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 16-21 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 3,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 2,400 lb
- Hitch class at max
- II, up to 3,500 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Some, up to 2,400 lb |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Some, up to 2,400 lb |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Some, up to 2,400 lb |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 2,400 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | No |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 3,000 lb: Wilderness AWD, $36,285.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 3,000 lb | 3,620 lb | $36,285 |
| AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,510 lb | $29,995 |
| Premium AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,569 lb | $33,385 |
| Sport AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,611 lb | $36,105 |
| Hybrid Premium AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,580 lb to 3,873 lb | $36,595 |
| Limited AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,613 lb | $37,695 |
| Hybrid Sport AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,580 lb to 3,913 lb | $39,595 |
| Hybrid Limited AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,580 lb to 3,911 lb | $41,010 |
| Touring AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,664 lb | $41,595 |
| Hybrid Touring AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 3,580 lb to 3,946 lb | $43,295 |
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2014: 2,400 lb to 1,500 lb.
- Changed in 2022: 1,500 lb to 3,000 lb.
- Changed in 2026: 3,000 lb to 3,500 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Ascent | 5,000 lb | Premium AWD | $39,995 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 3,500 lb | Wilderness AWD | $33,360 |
| Subaru Outback | 3,500 lb | Onyx Edition XT AWD | $41,225 |
| Subaru Forester (this car) | 3,000 lb | Wilderness AWD | $36,285 |
| Ford Bronco Sport | 2,700 lb | Badlands 4WD | $40,115 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2,500 lb | Plug-in Hybrid SE AWD | $44,815 |
| Honda CR-V | 1,500 lb | LX 2WD | $30,100 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree