While it is not going to be most peoples choice for heavy towing, the Subaru Forester can tow if need be. Here are the Towing Capacities for the Subaru Forester from the 2010 model year through the 2020 model year. All the numbers come directly from the owners manual for the given model year, with the page number annotated.
All models of Forester regardless of the model year have a 1000 pound towing capacity if the trailer doesn’t have it’s own braking system.
2010 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Transmission | Conditions | Total Trailer Weight |
|
MT
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 2400 lbs (1087 kg) | |
|
AT
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 2400 lbs (1087 kg) | |
| When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104F (40C) or above. | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
Source: 2010 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-18
2011 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Transmission | Conditions | Total Trailer Weight |
|
MT
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 2400 lbs (1087 kg) | |
|
AT
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 2400 lbs (1087 kg) | |
| When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104F (40C) or above. | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
Source: 2011 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-19
2012 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Transmission | Conditions | Total Trailer Weight |
|
MT
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 2400 lbs (1087 kg) | |
|
AT
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 2400 lbs (1087 kg) | |
| When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104F (40C) or above. | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
Source: 2012 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-19
2013 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Transmission | Conditions |
Max Total Trailer Weight
|
|
MT
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 2400 lbs (1087 kg) | |
|
AT
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 2400 lbs (1087 kg) | |
| When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104F (40C) or above. | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
Source: 2013 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-19
2014 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Engine | Conditions | Max Total Trailer Weight |
|
2.5 L
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 1500 lbs (680 kg) |
Source: 2014 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-19
2015 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Engine | Conditions | Max Total Trailer Weight |
|
2.5 L
|
Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 1500 lbs (680 kg) |
Source: 2015 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-19
2016 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Conditions | Max Total Trailer Weight |
| Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 1500 lbs (680 kg) |
Source: 2016 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-19
2017 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Conditions | Max Total Trailer Weight |
| Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 1500 lbs (680 kg) |
Source: 2017 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-19
2018 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Conditions | Max Total Trailer Weight |
| Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 1500 lbs (680 kg) |
Source: 2018 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 8-19
2019 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Conditions | Max Total Trailer Weight |
| Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 1500 lbs (680 kg) |
Source: 2019 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 402
2020 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity
| Conditions | Max Total Trailer Weight |
| Without Trailer Brake | 1000 lbs (453 kg) |
| With Trailer Brake | 1500 lbs (680 kg) |
| When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104F (40C) or above. | 1,000 lbs (453 kg) |
Source: 2020 Subaru Forester Owners Manual Page 408
Notes
All of these listed towing capacities come from the American version of the Forester. The Subaru Forester is sold all over the world, sometimes with different (usually higher) towing capacities.
