The 2026 Subaru Forester and Crosstrek landed on Consumer Reports’ annual 10 Top Picks list, extending the Forester’s winning streak to 13 consecutive years and marking the Crosstrek’s third straight appearance. It’s the third time both models have made the list together.
Consumer Reports named the Forester its Best Compact SUV for the 13th year running and the Crosstrek its Best Subcompact SUV for the third. The publication’s reviewers called out the comfortable ride, standard all-wheel drive, and availability of hybrid powertrains in both models. The Forester Hybrid, new for 2026, makes the “exceptional SUV even more desirable,” according to Consumer Reports, which praised its fuel efficiency alongside the model’s spacious interior and excellent safety ratings.
The Crosstrek returned for 2026 with what Consumer Reports described as “even more positive attributes,” including a next-generation Subaru hybrid powertrain. Reviewers highlighted the Crosstrek’s versatility, ride and handling, and added ground clearance. The 2026 Crosstrek is available in seven trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Sport Hybrid, Limited, Limited Hybrid, and Wilderness. Pricing starts at $26,995 MSRP. The Forester starts at $29,995 MSRP.
This year’s Consumer Reports list carries a pattern worth noting. All 10 winning models are available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric powertrains, the first time electrified vehicles exclusively filled the list. Subaru had the most SUV entries from a single brand on the 2026 list. The Crosstrek and Forester appeared alongside the NX and X5 among the SUV picks.
Subaru was named Consumer Reports’ Best Automotive Brand for 2025, with seven recommended models: Ascent, BRZ, Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, Outback, and WRX. The Forester’s 13-year run on the Top Picks list is the longest active streak in the compact SUV segment, a category where year-to-year churn is the norm. That the streak extends into the hybrid era suggests Subaru threaded the powertrain transition without breaking what Consumer Reports values in the model.
The 2026 marks Subaru’s tightest alignment yet with Consumer Reports’ shift toward electrified drivetrains. Both the Forester and Crosstrek now offer hybrid variants, positioning the brand to hold its spot on future lists as the publication’s electrification bias hardens.
Source: Subaru. Images courtesy of Subaru.
