2023 Subaru Forester towing capacity
Up to 3,000 lbs with a conventional ball hitch. That rating is for this configuration: Wilderness, Forester Wilderness, 2.5-liter DOHC direct-injection 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER (182 hp), AWD. The lowest-rated configuration in the same tables is 1,500 lbs, so the answer for your vehicle depends on how it is equipped.
The top figure belongs to one specific build. Find the row that matches your engine, cab, drive and axle, and check the label on your driver's door jamb. Passengers and cargo in the truck come off what you can tow.
2023 Subaru Forester towing capacity by engine
The highest rating published for each engine. Pick a figure to see every configuration behind it.
2023 Subaru Forester towing capacity chart
All 4 configurations in the source, by hitch type and engine, highest rating first. Each row links to the page it is printed on.
Conventional (ball hitch)
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness, Forester WildernessLineartronic CVT with enhanced gearing and lower final drive ratioprinted 'Forester Wilderness: 3,000 lbs.'; footnote 2: trailer brakes may be needed; hitch recorded as conventional because the accessory Trailer Hitch text on page 11 rates the ball-type hitch ('Hitch ball not included') at the same figure | AWD | 3,000 lbs | p. 9 | ||
| Forester (all trims except Wilderness)Lineartronic CVTsingle 'Forester' column; cell prints '1,500 lbs.' then 'Forester Wilderness: 3,000 lbs.', so 1,500 is read as every trim other than Wilderness; footnote 2: trailer brakes may be needed; hitch recorded as conventional because the accessory Trailer Hitch text on page 11 rates the ball-type hitch ('Hitch ball not included') at the same figure | AWD | 1,500 lbs | p. 9 |
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness, Accessory Trailer Hitch, Forester Wildernessaccessory text: 'Forester Wilderness is rated at 300 lbs. tongue weight with 3,000 lbs. capacity'; ball mount sold separately | AWD | 3,000 lbs | Subaru accessory Trailer Hitch; hitch ball not included | p. 11 | |
| Accessory Trailer Hitch (trims other than Wilderness)accessory text: 'Heavy-duty 2-inch receiver rated at 150 lbs. tongue weight with 1,500 lbs. of towing capacity'; ball mount sold separately; trailer brakes may be needed | AWD | 1,500 lbs | Subaru accessory Trailer Hitch; hitch ball not included | p. 11 |
Common questions
Which 2023 Subaru Forester engine tows the most?
2.5-liter DOHC direct-injection 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER (182 hp), at up to 3,000 lbs. Next is Engine not named in the table at up to 3,000 lbs.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 2023 Subaru Forester Brochure. Each row in the tables above links to the document and gives the page the figure is printed on.
Towing equipment for the 2023 Subaru Forester
The manufacturer's tables name this equipment for some 2023 Subaru Forester configurations. Equipment does not raise a rating. Check the Needs column for your own build before buying anything.
- Hitch ball, listed for 2 of 4 configurations. See on Amazon (paid link)
- Trailer hitch receiver, listed for 2 of 4 configurations. See on Amazon (paid link)
Parts sold to fit this vehicle. Fitting one does not raise a rating, and the tables above say what each rating needs.
- Trailer wiring harness for the 2023 Subaru Forester. See on Amazon (paid link)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The ratings on this page come only from the documents cited.
Where these numbers come from
- 2023 Subaru Forester Brochure, Subaru. Manufacturer spec sheet. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
Page numbers count pages in the linked file, which can differ from the number printed in the corner. Report a number that looks wrong.