A roomy cabin and good fuel economy make the 2018 Subaru Forester a solid choice for a compact SUV. But it's the standard all-wheel drive, powerful optional turbocharged engine and high ground clearance for off-road adventuring that set the Forester apart from the pack. In this video, we highlight the key features that matter most. From mpg, interior space and technology to design and comfort - these pros and cons will help steer you toward a perfect car.
Transcript
BRYN MACKINNON: I'm Edmunds editor Bryn MacKinnon, and here's a features rundown of the 2018 Subaru Forester. The Forester returns mostly unchanged for 2018, and that's a good thing. It offers a lot more off-road abilities than competing vehicles, with few drawbacks in return. For maximum bang for the buck, we recommend the 2.5i Premium trim, but if your budget can stretch, we like the 2.0 liter turbo engine that comes with the top models for its strong performance. The elevated ride height and standard all-wheel drive make the Forester a great choice for adventure-bound owners or those who live in inclement weather areas. There's a noticeable amount of body roll when cornering, but the Forrester remains composed and very controllable nonetheless. It does remind you, however, that it is less sporty and more off-road capable. There's plenty of cargo space in the back, but we wished the rear seats would fold flat into the floor. Like it's Honda and Toyota rivals, the Forester comes up short in terms of towing capacity against the Ford Escape. Taller passengers are easily accommodated in either the front or rear seats, and even the large sunroof won't affect headroom much. Most interior pieces are attractive and nice to the touch, but on the whole, other SUVs offer more refinement and feel a bit more solid. The newer infotainment system has a sharp display, and most features are easy to use. On top of that, it gets points for the EyeSight suite of advanced safety features. On the downside, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available. The driver's seat may be uncomfortably high for some, giving the impression that you're sitting on, not in, the car. Visibility is great, though, and it's easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Subaru Forester's top competitors include Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Kia Sportage. The bottom line, if your adventures take you well off the beaten path, the Forester is a great choice, when pitted against more commuter-focused rivals, but you may be disappointed if performance and interior quality are your top priorities.
The 2018 Subaru Forester returns mostly unchanged from last year's upgrades, and that's not a bad thing. Last year's tweaks helped the Forester remain attractive in an increasingly crowded marketplace for compact crossovers.
Chief among those tweaks is an available blind-spot monitoring system that also includes rear cross-traffic alert. The optional EyeSight safety package fortifies all that with an improved camera and adds reverse automatic braking and adaptive LED headlights (with automatic high beams). This can vary by trim level, so use Edmunds' purchasing tools to optimize the Forester for your needs.
Although this is fundamentally the same Forester that was introduced for 2014, the styling is more refined, the nose and bumpers a little sleeker and sharper, and the wheels have new designs. For 2018, there's a Black Edition package that adds blacked-out wheels, body trim and interior upholstery.
The interior itself enjoys a new level of solitude thanks to increased sound-deadening material. There's even the upscale option of Saddle Brown leather upholstery on the Touring model. Even in this most utilitarian of market segments, buyers demand the option of some indulgent luxury.
Always a solid performer supported by Subaru's reputation for long-lasting quality, the Forester can be tailored to practically any taste. As is true with most of Subaru's lineup (the BRZ sport coupe is the only exception), the Forester is available only with all-wheel drive, but there are two engine choices. The base engine is a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter with four horizontally opposed cylinders. Amazingly, Subaru still offers this engine with a six-speed manual transmission, but most Foresters will be equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
A more powerful 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four powers the 2.0XT model. It's fitted with a CVT that features a six-speed manual mode (via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters) for those moments when the road is open and the driver wants to exercise the sport-tuned suspension.
Models equipped with the 2.5-liter engine and CVT are EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined (26 city/32 highway). The turbocharged 2.0XT gets 24 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway).
Subaru has always presented its products as iconoclastic vehicles for buyers who want something extraordinary (or who live where it often snows). Edmunds is here to make sure the buying experience is as extraordinary as your new Subaru.
2018 Subaru Forester Overview
The 2018 Subaru Forester is offered in the following submodels: SUV. Available styles include 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), and 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT). Forester models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The 2018 Forester comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic. The 2018 Forester comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. powertrain warranty.
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $34005. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $2498 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2498 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $31507.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 7.3% below the MSRP.
We are showing 11 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $27191. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $1838 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1838 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $25353.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 6.8% below the MSRP.
We are showing 35 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $24889. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $1439 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1439 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $23450.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 5.8% below the MSRP.
We are showing 12 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $27110. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $2130.8 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2130.8 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $24979.2.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 7.9% below the MSRP.
We are showing 23 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $27824. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $2117 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2117 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $25707.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 7.6% below the MSRP.
We are showing 19 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $28311. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $1913 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1913 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $26398.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 6.8% below the MSRP.
We are showing 10 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $30310. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $2682 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2682 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $27628.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 8.8% below the MSRP.
We are showing 9 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $34741. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $2463 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2463 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $32278.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 7.1% below the MSRP.
We are showing 8 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $30391. The average price paid for a new 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $2545.2 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2545.2 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $27845.8.
The average savings for the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is 8.4% below the MSRP.
We are showing 7 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Is the 2018 Subaru Forester a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Subaru Forester and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 Forester featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What do people think of the 2018 Subaru Forester? Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Subaru Forester and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 Forester a 4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 Forester.
Vehicle 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
Review I spent the better part of a year researching SUV's as I'm also the owner of a 2004 Tacoma TRD Off-Road. Having spent 13 years in that truck, I was getting a little tired of the stiff ride and poor gas mileage, but I need something that can handle some off-road as well as poor driving conditions in the winter. I was thinking of trading my truck for either a new Tacoma or a 4Runner, but really didn't feel like I'd get anything very different, especially from an MPG standpoint. Enter the Forester. My biggest concern was the available "get up and go" since I live at about 6100 ft in Colorado and frequently drive into the mountains where 10,000+ ft is common. The XT was an obvious consideration but the MPG of the Limited 2.5i was very enticing. After test driving the 2.5i up the local pass, I decided it would suffice. I've got 2000 miles on the car and many of them are mountain driving. No power issues whatsoever! I'll admit I'm not racer, but I usually go about 5mph over the speed limit and have really had no problem with acceleration or keeping the speed up at all with the 2.5i. If I could have gotten blind spot and RCTA on the XT without going all the way to a Touring model, I'd have probably gone that route (although I much prefer regular gas to premium). Anyway, the Limited 2.5i has a very comfortable ride and I'm averaging about 28mpg in town and 35mpg on the interstate...again, at real altitude! Also, I got to keep my truck! I couldn't be happier with my decision.
2018 Subaru Forester inventory listings Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Subaru Forester for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 747 new and 771 used and CPO 2018 Foresters listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 21621 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Subaru Forester. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 3184 on a new, used, or CPO 2018 Forester available from one of 2630 dealerships in your area.
How can Edmunds help? Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Is the 2018 Subaru Forester safe? The 2018 Subaru Forester earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 2.5 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
