Subaru Forester Towing Capacity by Year (1997-2023)

The Subaru Forester was introduced into Subaru’s lineup as a compact crossover SUV in 1997 and remains popular today. Subaru vehicles are known for their distinct styling and for having the features consumers expect from today’s SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester has a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds depending on the year, trim level, and transmission type.

There’s a bit more to know about Subaru Forester towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.

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2023 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

how much can a subaru forester tow
How much weight can a Subaru Forester tow is up to 3,000 lbs.

As we covered earlier, the current 2023 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds to 3,000 pounds depending on the trim level.

A 2023 Subaru Forester Base Model can pull 1,500 pounds.

A 2023 Subaru Forester Premium can pull 1,500 pounds.

A 2023 Subaru Forester Sport can pull 1,500 pounds.

A 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness can pull 3,000 pounds.

A 2023 Subaru Forester Limited can pull 1,500 pounds.

A 2023 Subaru Forester Touring can pull 1,500 pounds.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing CapacityEngineHorsepowerTorque
Base1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Premium1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Sport1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Wilderness3,000 lbs / 1,360 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Limited1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Touring1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
2023 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.

Here’s a video showing the Subaru Forester’s towing ability put to the test by Practical Caravan:

Subaru Forester Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity

All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.

Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.

Subaru Forester Braked Towing Capacity: 3,000 lbs.

Subaru Forester Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,000 lbs.

Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Factors

There are a few factors that affect the Subaru Forester tow capacity.

Model Year

The Forester’s tow capability varied a bit by year and generation.

The early model years had a max towing capability of 2,000 pounds, which increased to 2,400 pounds in later years, and then dropped to 1,500 pounds for most trim levels in late model years.

Trim Level

For recent model years, the trim level was a big factor in how much a Subaru Forester can tow.

For example, the 2023 Forester with the Wilderness trim can tow up to 3,000 lbs, while all other trims are limited to towing 1,500 pounds.

Transmission

For the 2003-2004 model years, having a manual transmission meant you could tow 400 more pounds (2,400 pounds total) compared to an automatic transmission (2,000 pounds total).

Number of Passengers

A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.

This is true of all vehicles, not just the Subaru Forester, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.

Subaru Forester Engine Specs

There is one engine option for the most recent generation Subaru Forester.

Subaru Forester 2.5L 4 Cylinder Gas Engine 

The Subaru Forester gas engine is a 2.5 Liter 4 cylinder DOCH 16-valve engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

This engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb.-ft of torque.

Subaru Forester Tow Package Info

2019 Subaru Forester
How much can a Subaru Forester tow is up to 3,000 pounds.

Does The Subaru Forester Have A Tow Package?

Subaru does not offer a factory-installed tow package on the Forester, so you’ll need to add an aftermarket tow hitch.

Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Subaru Forester?

rear view of subaru forester
How much weight can a Subaru Forester pull is 3,000 pounds.

If you plan on towing anything with your Subaru Forester, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.

Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.

Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.

Subaru Forester Tow Hitch

Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.

The Subaru Forester uses a Class 3 hitch.

Here’s a great option for a Class III Subaru Forester trailer hitch:

Draw-Tite 36671 Class 2 Trailer Hitch, 1.25 Inch Receiver, Black, Compatible with 2019-2021 Subaru Forester
  • 1-1⁄4 in. Square Receiver Tube Opening
  • Rated Up To 3,500 lbs. Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) And Up To 300 lbs. Tongue Weight (TW)
  • All Hitches Are Designed For Customers With Passenger Cars And Sport Utility Vehicles
  • Removable Drawbar, Pin, And Clip Sold Separately
  • Clean Appearance That Attaches To The Vehicle's Frame And/Or Bumper

Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Forester:

Sale
CURT 45148 Trailer Hitch Mount, 2-Inch Ball, Pin, Fits 1-1/4-In Receiver, 3,500 lbs, 3-1/4" Drop, GLOSS BLACK POWDER COAT
  • DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
  • VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
  • READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
  • CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
  • EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy

Subaru Forester Trailer Hitch Installation

If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Forester, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).

If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.

Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Subaru Forester trailer hitch installation:

Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing

Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.

Can I Bumper Tow With a Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester does not allow for bumper towing, so you’ll need to use a frame mounted hitch.

How Do I Know If My Subaru Forester Has A Tow Package?

subaru forester towing a travel trailer
The Subaru Forester can tow up to 3,000 pounds.

You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Forester to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.

That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Forester.

Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.

Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.

2022 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2022 Subaru Forester can tow between 1,500 pounds to 3,000 pounds depending on the trim level.

A 2022 Subaru Forester Base Model can pull 1,500 pounds.

A 2022 Subaru Forester Premium can pull 1,500 pounds.

A 2022 Subaru Forester Sport can pull 1,500 pounds.

A 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness can pull 3,000 pounds.

A 2022 Subaru Forester Limited can pull 1,500 pounds.

A 2022 Subaru Forester Touring can pull 1,500 pounds.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing CapacityEngineHorsepowerTorque
Base1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Premium1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Sport1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Wilderness3,000 lbs / 1,360 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Limited1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
Touring1,500 lbs / 680 kg2.5L182 hp176 lb.-ft
2022 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2021 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2021 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All1,500 lbs / 680 kg
2021 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2020 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2020 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All1,500 lbs / 680 kg
2020 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2019 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2019 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All1,500 lbs / 680 kg
2019 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2018 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2018 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All1,500 lbs / 680 kg
2018 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2017 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2017 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All1,500 lbs / 680 kg
2017 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2016 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2016 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All1,500 lbs / 680 kg
2016 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2015 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2015 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All1,500 lbs / 680 kg
2015 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2014 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2014 Subaru Forester can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All1,500 lbs / 680 kg
2014 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2013 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2013 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2013 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2012 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2012 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2012 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2011 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2011 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2011 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2010 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2010 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2010 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2009 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2009 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2009 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2008 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2008 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2008 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2007 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2007 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2007 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2006 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2006 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2006 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2005 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2005 Subaru Forester can tow 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kg
2005 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2004 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2004 Subaru Forester can tow 2,000 pounds to 2,400 pounds depending on the transmission.

A 2004 Subaru Forester with an Automatic transmission can pull up to 2,000 pounds.

A 2004 Subaru Forester with a Manual transmission can pull up to 2,400 pounds.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing CapacityTransmission
All2,000 lbs / 906 kgAutomatic
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kgManual
2004 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2003 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2003 Subaru Forester can tow 2,000 pounds to 2,400 pounds depending on the transmission.

A 2003 Subaru Forester with an Automatic transmission can pull up to 2,000 pounds.

A 2003 Subaru Forester with a Manual transmission can pull up to 2,400 pounds.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing CapacityTransmission
All2,000 lbs / 906 kgAutomatic
All2,400 lbs / 1,088 kgManual
2003 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2002 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2002 Subaru Forester can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,000 lbs / 906 kg
2002 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2001 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2001 Subaru Forester can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,000 lbs / 906 kg
2001 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

2000 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2000 Subaru Forester can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,000 lbs / 906 kg
2000 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

1999 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 1999 Subaru Forester can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,000 lbs / 906 kg
1999 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

1998 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 1998 Subaru Forester can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,000 lbs / 906 kg
1998 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

1997 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 1997 Subaru Forester can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels.

Subaru ForesterTrim LevelTowing Capacity
All2,000 lbs / 906 kg
1997 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity Chart

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