At Belknap Subaru, we take pride in offering vehicles that prioritize what matters most to families: safety. The 2026 Subaru Forester has once again proven why Subaru remains a trusted name in automotive safety by earning the prestigious IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation.
Understanding the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes. Their rigorous testing protocols evaluate vehicles across multiple categories, including crashworthiness, crash avoidance and mitigation systems, headlight performance, and seat belt reminders. Earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating requires a vehicle to achieve Good ratings across all crashworthiness evaluations and Good ratings for both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention systems.
Drivers in Concord understand that safety ratings aren't just numbers on paper—they represent real-world protection for families during their daily commutes and weekend adventures. The IIHS conducts some of the most demanding crash tests in the automotive industry, and vehicles that earn its highest accolades have demonstrated exceptional performance in protecting occupants during various collision scenarios.
Why the 2026 Subaru Forester Earned Top Safety Pick+
The 2026 Subaru Forester achieved Good ratings across every crashworthiness evaluation conducted by the IIHS. In the small overlap front test, which simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle's front end strikes another vehicle or object, the Forester demonstrated excellent structural integrity and occupant protection for both driver and passenger sides.
The moderate overlap front test, which now includes evaluation of rear passenger safety, showed the Forester's ability to protect all occupants in frontal collisions. The vehicle's structure and safety cage received Good ratings, and injury measures for both driver and rear passengers indicated low risk of harm to critical body areas, including head, neck, chest, and lower extremities.
Side impact protection is another area where the Forester excels. The updated side crash test uses a heavier barrier moving at higher speeds to simulate modern crash conditions. The Forester earned a Good overall rating, with excellent head protection for both front and rear occupants. Additionally, the vehicle received Good ratings for whiplash prevention, demonstrating effective seat and head restraint design that reduces the risk of neck injuries in rear-end collisions.
Whether you are looking for a family vehicle in Laconia or an off-roader near Plymouth, these ratings mean you can always drive with confidence in a 2026 Subaru Forester.
Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
A significant contributor to the Forester's safety credentials is Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which comes standard across the lineup. This system uses dual cameras mounted near the rearview mirror to monitor traffic conditions and help prevent accidents before they occur in or around Bow, NH.
Key EyeSight Features
- Adaptive Cruise Control: Automatically adjusts vehicle speed to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead, reducing driver fatigue during highway travel and stop-and-go traffic.
- Pre-Collision Braking: Monitors the road ahead and can apply brakes automatically if the system detects an imminent collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, or other obstacle.
- Lane Centering: Helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane by making subtle steering adjustments, working alongside the driver to maintain proper lane position.
- Lane Departure Warning: Alerts the driver with visual and audible warnings when the vehicle begins to drift from its lane without a turn signal activated.
- Lane Keep Assist: Provides gentle steering corrections to help guide the vehicle back into its lane if it detects drifting.
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist: Intervenes with more assertive steering input if the vehicle is at risk of leaving the roadway or entering an adjacent lane occupied by another vehicle.
- Lead Vehicle Start Alert: Notifies the driver when traffic ahead begins moving after a stop, helping maintain awareness in congested driving situations in Meredith.
Test Drive the 2026 Subaru Forester at Belknap Subaru
Want to discover the highlights of the 2026 Subaru Forester for yourself? Then visit Belknap Subaru today to check out our inventory and take one for a test drive. To schedule your visit, contact us.
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