Makes · Subaru · Subaru Forester
2022 Subaru Forester towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 1,000 – 3,000 lbs across packages. Exact capacity depends on configuration. Payload is separate from towing capacity and is shown where GVWR and curb weight (or manufacturer payload) exist.
Tow Planner
Select your exact configuration and tell us what you're towing. We'll compare trailer weight, payload, tongue weight and the available vehicle limits. Year-level towing and payload answers below are available without selecting a configuration.
Which configuration do you have?
6 configurations
6 possible configurations match your selections.
What are you trying to do?
Choose a job to open interactive tools. Year-level towing and payload answers appear below even before you pick a configuration.
What can a 2022 Subaru Forester tow?
Across 6 configurations with published ratings, 2022 Subaru Forester towing capacity ranges from 1,000 lbs to 3,000 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2022 Subaru Forester can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 1,000 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 3,000 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 6 of 6
Highest-rated example: Wilderness — 3,000 lbs
Lowest-rated example: Touring — 1,000 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2022 Subaru Forester. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness | — | — | — | 4.11 | 3,000 lbs | 1,271 lbs |
| Base | — | — | — | 3.70 | 1,000 lbs | 1,437 lbs |
| Limited | — | — | — | 3.70 | 1,000 lbs | 1,339 lbs |
| Premium | — | — | — | 3.70 | 1,000 lbs | 1,363 lbs |
| Sport | — | — | — | 3.70 | 1,000 lbs | 1,353 lbs |
| Touring | — | — | — | 3.70 | 1,000 lbs | 1,297 lbs |
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.70 | 1,000 lbs | 5 |
| 4.11 | 3,000 lbs | 1 |
2022 Subaru Forester payload capacity
Payload is not the same as towing capacity. Where both GVWR and curb weight exist in the catalog, payload is GVWR minus curb weight (or the manufacturer payload field when present). Payload covers people, cargo in the truck, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight — not the full trailer weight.
- Observed payload range: 1,271 – 1,437 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 6
Highest-payload configurations
- Base — 1,437 lbs
- Premium — 1,363 lbs
- Sport — 1,353 lbs
- Limited — 1,339 lbs
- Touring — 1,297 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2022 Subaru Forester dataset. Values are min–max of published ratings in each group — not a claim that every unit in the group can tow the top figure.
Axle ratios
| Axle | Towing range | Median | Configs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.70 | 1,000 lbs | 1,000 lbs | 5 |
| 4.11 | 3,000 lbs | 3,000 lbs | 1 |
Why does towing capacity vary for this vehicle?
Towing ratings vary across configurations. These are configuration differences present in our dataset:
- Axle ratios: 3.70, 4.11
- Published towing range: 1,000 – 3,000 lbs
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Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness 4dr All-Wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 3,620 lbs | 1,271 lbs | 182 | 176 | 4.11 | 107.9 |
| Base 4dr All-Wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,454 lbs | 1,437 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.70 | 105.1 |
| Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,552 lbs | 1,339 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.70 | 105.1 |
| Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,528 lbs | 1,363 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.70 | 105.1 |
| Sport 4dr All-Wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,538 lbs | 1,353 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.70 | 105.1 |
| Touring 4dr All-Wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,594 lbs | 1,297 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.70 | 105.1 |
* Payload = manufacturer payload when present, otherwise GVWR − curb weight. Towing capacity is a separate rating and is not the same as payload.
What affects the rating
Higher figures usually need the tow package, the right axle ratio, and enough cooling. Passengers, fuel, gear, and tongue weight all eat into what you can safely pull — stay under both the trailer rating and the vehicle’s payload.