Verified Performance Tests Updated Jun 2026 · 50 recorded runs

Subaru Forester 0–60 Times

The Subaru Forester 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 50 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Motor Week and more.

The fastest tested Subaru Forester is the 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.30 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 13.80 seconds at 97.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.

The slowest tested Subaru Forester is the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited PZEV, which took 10.00 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 17.50 seconds at 78.7 mph, according to Motor Trend.

Out of all the Subaru Forester tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 8.24 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 16.33 seconds at 85.73 mph.

Fastest 0–60 5.30sec 2004 2.5XT · stock

Average 0–60 8.24sec Across 50 runs

Avg ¼ Mile 16.33sec @ 85.7 mph trap

Slowest 0–60 10.00sec 2009 2.5X Limited

Across 50 verified runs, the Subaru Forester ranges from 5.30 to 10.00 seconds 0–60, with a 8.24-second average.

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Subaru Forester Performance Overview

Subaru’s Forester has covered 50 verified tests across 1998 to 2026, tracing a performance arc from compact naturally aspirated wagon-crossover roots to today’s gasoline and hybrid lineup. The SF generation (1998–2002) used 165-hp EJ25 flat-four variants and established the baseline with the 1998 S reaching 60 mph in 9.1 seconds. Performance shifted sharply with the SG generation (2003–2008), which expanded from 165-hp naturally aspirated models to 230-hp turbocharged EJ255 versions; the 2004 2.5XT remains the all-time benchmark at 5.3 seconds to 60 mph and a 13.8-second quarter-mile at 97 mph.

In the SH era (2009–2013), turbo and non-turbo versions continued side by side, from the 2009 2.5X Limited PZEV at 10.0 seconds to the 2009 2.5XT Limited at 6.6 seconds. The SJ generation (2014–2018) moved to FA20F turbo and FB25 power, with the 2014 2.0XT Touring posting 6.2 seconds. From the SK generation (2019–2024), the turbo option disappeared and the quickest result slowed to 8.0 seconds in the 2022 Wilderness. Today’s SL generation (2025–present) adds hybrid power to the Forester for the first time; among current tests, the 2025 Touring Hybrid leads at 8.1 seconds to 60 mph.

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Subaru Forester 0–60 Times by Generation: SF to SL

6 generations

Generation	Years	Avg 0–60	Fastest 0–60	Tests	Notes
SL	2025–present	8.49s	8.10s — 2025 Touring Hybrid	13	The SL generation (2025–present) averaged 8.49 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2025 Touring Hybrid at 8.10 seconds. Output ranged from 180 to 194 hp across 2.5L F-4, 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh configurations.
SK	2019–2024	8.49s	8.00s — 2022 Wilderness	8	The SK generation (2019–2024) averaged 8.49 seconds to 60 mph across 8 tests, led by the 2022 Wilderness at 8.00 seconds. Output was 182 hp across 2.5L F-4 configurations.
SJ	2014–2018	7.46s	6.20s — 2014 2.0XT Touring	9	The SJ generation (2014–2018) averaged 7.46 seconds to 60 mph across 9 tests, led by the 2014 2.0XT Touring at 6.20 seconds. Output ranged from 170 to 250 hp across 2.0L Turbo F-4, 2.5L F-4 configurations.
SH	2009–2013	8.35s	6.60s — 2009 2.5XT Limited	10	The SH generation (2009–2013) averaged 8.35 seconds to 60 mph across 10 tests, led by the 2009 2.5XT Limited at 6.60 seconds. Output ranged from 170 to 224 hp across 2.5L F-4, 2.5L Turbo F-4 configurations.
SG	2003–2008	7.44s	5.30s — 2004 2.5XT	5	The SG generation (2003–2008) averaged 7.44 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 2004 2.5XT at 5.30 seconds. Output ranged from 165 to 230 hp across 2.5L F-4, 2.5L Turbo F-4 configurations.
SF	1998–2002	9.45s	9.10s — 1998 S	4	The SF generation (1998–2002) averaged 9.45 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 1998 S at 9.10 seconds. Output was 165 hp across 2.5L F-4 configurations.

SL 2025–present

Avg 0–60 8.49s

Fastest 8.10s

Tests 13

2025 Touring Hybrid

The SL generation (2025–present) averaged 8.49 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2025 Touring Hybrid at 8.10 seconds. Output ranged from 180 to 194 hp across 2.5L F-4, 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh configurations.

SK 2019–2024

Avg 0–60 8.49s

Fastest 8.00s

Tests 8

2022 Wilderness

The SK generation (2019–2024) averaged 8.49 seconds to 60 mph across 8 tests, led by the 2022 Wilderness at 8.00 seconds. Output was 182 hp across 2.5L F-4 configurations.

SJ 2014–2018

Avg 0–60 7.46s

Fastest 6.20s

Tests 9

2014 2.0XT Touring

The SJ generation (2014–2018) averaged 7.46 seconds to 60 mph across 9 tests, led by the 2014 2.0XT Touring at 6.20 seconds. Output ranged from 170 to 250 hp across 2.0L Turbo F-4, 2.5L F-4 configurations.

SH 2009–2013

Avg 0–60 8.35s

Fastest 6.60s

Tests 10

2009 2.5XT Limited

The SH generation (2009–2013) averaged 8.35 seconds to 60 mph across 10 tests, led by the 2009 2.5XT Limited at 6.60 seconds. Output ranged from 170 to 224 hp across 2.5L F-4, 2.5L Turbo F-4 configurations.

SG 2003–2008

Avg 0–60 7.44s

Fastest 5.30s

Tests 5

2004 2.5XT

The SG generation (2003–2008) averaged 7.44 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 2004 2.5XT at 5.30 seconds. Output ranged from 165 to 230 hp across 2.5L F-4, 2.5L Turbo F-4 configurations.

SF 1998–2002

Avg 0–60 9.45s

Fastest 9.10s

Tests 4

1998 S

The SF generation (1998–2002) averaged 9.45 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 1998 S at 9.10 seconds. Output was 165 hp across 2.5L F-4 configurations.

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Subaru Forester 0–60 Times by Year and Trim

50 tests · 17 years

▾

Model Year 17

2026 Subaru Forester

2 verified runs

Avg 0–60 8.50 sec

Avg ¼ Mile 16.75 sec

Recorded Tests 2

#22

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness

8.40sec 0–60

0.0s · 0mph 0.0s · 0mph

16.70s ¼ mi @ 83.0 mph

▾

0–60 mph: 8.40 sec
¼ Mile ET: 16.70 sec
Trap Speed: 83.0 mph
Engine: 2.5L F-4
Drivetrain: AWD
Transmission: CVT
Horsepower: 180 hp
Torque: 178 lb-ft
Curb Weight: 3,693 lbs
Power-to-Weight: 20.5 lbs/hp
MPG EPA: 24 C / 28 H / 20 Obs
Production Vehicle
Body Type: Crossover
Powertrain: Gasoline
Test Source: Car and Driver
Overall Rank: #22 of 50

#27

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness

8.60sec 0–60

0.0s · 0mph 0.0s · 0mph

16.80s ¼ mi @ 83.0 mph

▾

0–60 mph: 8.60 sec
¼ Mile ET: 16.80 sec
Trap Speed: 83.0 mph
Engine: 2.5L F-4
Drivetrain: AWD
Transmission: CVT
Horsepower: 180 hp
Torque: 178 lb-ft
Curb Weight: 3,693 lbs
Power-to-Weight: 20.5 lbs/hp
MPG EPA: 24 C / 28 H
Production Vehicle
Body Type: Crossover
Powertrain: Gasoline
Test Source: Motor Week
Overall Rank: #27 of 50

How we verify Subaru Forester performance data

We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Subaru Forester trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.

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Subaru Forester 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution

0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is faster

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Subaru Forester performance FAQs

10 questions

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness has recorded 0-60 mph times of 8.4 and 8.6 seconds. Its quarter-mile runs are 16.7 and 16.8 seconds at 83 mph. Both published tests use the 180-hp, 178-lb-ft naturally aspirated AWD setup.

Across 50 verified Subaru Forester tests, the average 0-60 mph time is 8.24 seconds and the average quarter-mile is 16.33 seconds at 85.7 mph. For the 2026 model year specifically, the Wilderness has been tested at 8.4 and 8.6 seconds to 60 mph.

The quickest Subaru Forester on record is the 2004 Forester 2.5XT, which reaches 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. It also owns the best quarter-mile result for the nameplate at 13.8 seconds at 97 mph, making it the benchmark for Forester straight-line performance.

The fastest stock Subaru Forester is also the 2004 2.5XT. It posts a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds and a 13.8-second quarter-mile at 97 mph. There are no modified runs in the Forester test history here, so the overall and stock leaders are the same vehicle.

The sixth-generation Subaru Forester, code SL, averages 8.49 seconds from 0-60 mph across 13 tests. The quickest SL on record is the 2025 Touring Hybrid at 8.1 seconds. This generation spans 2025 onward and includes both gasoline and hybrid powertrains.

The fifth-generation Subaru Forester, code SK, averages 8.49 seconds to 60 mph across 8 tests. Its quickest run is 8.0 seconds from the 2022 Wilderness. SK models span 2019 to 2024 and, in the recorded tests, use naturally aspirated gasoline powertrains.

The fastest SG-generation Subaru Forester is the 2004 2.5XT at 5.3 seconds from 0-60 mph. Across 5 tests, the SG generation averages 7.44 seconds, making it the quickest Forester generation overall. SG covers the 2003 to 2008 model years.

The Touring Hybrid is quicker on record. The best Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid run is 8.1 seconds to 60 mph, while the best Wilderness run is 8.0 seconds overall, but for the current SL generation the 2025 Touring Hybrid leads that generation. Across all recorded tests, Wilderness averages 8.28 seconds and Touring Hybrid averages 8.33 seconds.

The 2.5XT Limited is quicker on average, with a 6.53-second 0-60 mph average across 6 tests, versus 6.73 seconds for the 2.0XT Touring across 4 tests. The single quickest result belongs to the 2.0XT Touring at 6.2 seconds, while the best 2.5XT Limited run is 5.9 seconds.

Across 50 Subaru Forester tests, the average quarter-mile time is 16.33 seconds at 85.7 mph. The fastest quarter-mile Forester on record is the 2004 2.5XT, which runs 13.8 seconds at 97 mph. For 2026, the Wilderness has posted 16.7 and 16.8 seconds at 83 mph.

Sources

Car and Driver

Motor Trend

Motor Week

0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Subaru Forester can do, not a single marketing claim.

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