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2027 Subaru Forester towing capacity

Max tow rating

3,500 lb

Cheapest at max
Wilderness AWD
2.5L 4cyl
Base trim
1,500 lb
Hitch class at max
II, up to 3,500 lb

Rank 53 of 79 SUVs (2027).

Trailer check

Yes. 2,800 lb is within 80% of the rating.

Tow rating
3,500 lb
80% of the rating
Up to 2,800 lb
Room left
700 lb (20% of the rating)
Hitch class needed
II, up to 3,500 lb
Share of curb weight (guideline 85%)
76% of 3,699 lb

80% of the rating: a common owner margin, not a maker limit. 85% of curb weight: a common owner guideline for cars and SUVs. Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 17-22 mpg.

Pick another car

05,00010,00015,000Teardrop camperUtility trailerPop-up camperBoat on a trailerSmall travel trailerMid-size travel trailerCar on a car haulerLarge travel trailerFifth wheel80%: 2,800 lbRating: 3,500 lb
Pounds. Blue: fits under 2,800 lb, 80% of the rating. Orange: only the lighter end fits. Grey: too heavy.

What it can pull

80% of the rating: a common owner margin, not a maker limit.

Max tow rating
3,500 lb
80% of the rating
2,800 lb
What it can pull at 2,800 lb
TrailerLoaded weightFits
Teardrop camper1,000 to 2,500 lbYes
Utility trailer1,000 to 3,000 lbSome, up to 2,800 lb
Pop-up camper1,500 to 3,000 lbSome, up to 2,800 lb
Boat on a trailer2,000 to 6,000 lbSome, up to 2,800 lb
Small travel trailer3,000 to 5,000 lbNo
Mid-size travel trailer5,000 to 7,500 lbNo
Car on a car hauler5,500 to 7,500 lbNo
Large travel trailer7,500 to 10,000 lbNo
Fifth wheel10,000 to 16,000 lbNo

Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.

Tow rating by trim

Cheapest at 3,500 lb: Wilderness AWD.

Source marks: two or more sources agreeone sourcesources differmodel-level or estimate

2027 Subaru Forester tow rating by trim
TrimEngineDrivetrainTow ratingCurb weightMSRP
Wilderness AWD2.5L 4cylAWD3,500 lb3,699 lb$39,485 to $39,495
AWD2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,510 lb$29,995
Premium AWD (2)2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,569 lb$31,995
Premium AWD (3)2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,578 lb$33,195
Hybrid Premium AWD2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,873 lb$34,730
Limited AWD2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,633 lb$37,595
Hybrid Sport AWD2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,913 lb$37,930
Hybrid Limited AWD2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,911 lb$38,995
Hybrid Wilderness AWD2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,940 lb$40,495
Hybrid Touring AWD2.5L 4cylAWD1,500 lb3,946 lb$41,545

No rating listed: 1 trim.

Highest rating by year

01,0002,0003,0004,000201120142017202020232027
Highest rated trim in our data, 2011 to 2027. Pounds. Years with ratings for under half the trims are left out.
  • 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

2027 rivals by max tow rating
ModelMax tow ratingCheapest trim at maxMSRP
Subaru Ascent5,000 lbPremium AWD$40,795
Subaru Forester (this car)3,500 lbWilderness AWD$39,485 to $39,495
Subaru Crosstrek3,500 lbWilderness AWD$33,795
Ford Bronco Sport2,700 lbBadlands AWD$36,760
Honda CR-V1,500 lbLX 2WD$31,520

Lists by trailer weight

Other models rated for these weights.

What this cannot tell you

Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.

Passengers and cargo count against the payload.

How values are checked