Used 2018 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
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1st review after a 1400 mile trip
Barbara, 08/15/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
The seat is not the most comfortable, ended up buying a gel pad
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Fun car to drive
Lin W, 05/28/2020
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is my first Subaru and it is so much fun to drive. It holds the road well in all types of weather. It has comfortable seating, excellent viewing, and very good gas mileage. There is lots of room for passengers and cargo storage. Have taken it on long trips of 14-21 hours straight driving and have had no problems. The only thing I don't like is the cruise control; it automatically slows you down whether you want to or not if the eyesight detects a car getting too close and is a little slow to pick up. Other than that it's a great car.
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2018 Subaru Forester for sale near you
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2018 Subaru Forester XT Touring
Powell, 08/03/2020
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Hot car. Turbo kicks in and the car can really get up and go.
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Love my first Subaru
Wil, 03/30/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 9 people found this review helpful
Always bought Honda and Toyota now I’ve been converted.
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fun to drive
jay, 03/12/2018
updated 09/12/2019
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 14 people found this review helpful
the headrests are a little hard and push forward a bit.
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Hate to let it go
Gordon H., 07/08/2020
updated 01/11/2021
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
Best of all cars I’ve owned.
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Subie Forester doesn’t disappoint
Benjie Garcia, 05/06/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 10 people found this review helpful
shop for a vehicle that is reliable and with a high resale value
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Simply put don't buy one
Duane, 01/18/2019
updated 01/20/2021
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
9 of 48 people found this review helpful
If your thinking about buying a new Subaru don't do it and if you still wanna buy one see your doctor because you need your head examined my 2015 forester has been a mony pit since the day I bought it new cars should last into ten years before anything major starts to go down not twenty thousand miles like I got handed tsubarus are garbage these days and I tell it like it is when this price of trash stops so do my payments plain and simply put and no nothing has changed my mind this review update either
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Best bang for buck
mike weimer, 07/12/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 16 people found this review helpful
It's mostly ready to go but there's lil hiccups. You have to work to get a radio station you like. Then back to the center of time to change. Dash configuration is done based on what have you done for me lately. Drove my pick but wrong color waiting its arrival. Everything is wonderful til real car shows up. All the neat stuff now doesn't come in your model. Car had blind for back compartment to hide tools luggage whatever. Other car had it now it's special item & I''ll have to pay more for a part that came with lesser value car. Golden opportunity to get grumpy about silly things that don't deserve to be discussed. Will have to see how final sendoff is attended.Everyone friendly just some misdirection promises. Every car I looked at had gauges for temp, oil pressure. This is all idiot lights kind of disappointed.
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Great SUV!!
PeterC, 03/03/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 25 people found this review helpful
An updated Forerster is coming out for 2019
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Retired Veteran
John kiley, 08/11/2017
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
10 of 65 people found this review helpful
Think i paid too much
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Subaru fast and comfortable
Pat, 11/05/2017
updated 05/21/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 22 people found this review helpful
I tried the Acura RDX infinity suv. Ford edge,honda crv
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First month - still thrilled
Nick Fotheringham, 03/27/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 8 people found this review helpful
Only disappointment was that routine maintenance was not included during the warranty period.
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Love my first Subaru
Wil, 03/30/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 8 people found this review helpful
Always bought Honda and Toyota now I’ve been converted.
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2 years in and couldn't be happier
GHJ, 01/03/2018
updated 01/03/2020
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 9 people found this review helpful
At almost 40,000 miles already, the vehicle still feels like it is brand new. There is nothing about the vehicle I don't like. I wish we had gotten the Navigation system and the dual seat memory. Love the remote tailgate opener.
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Great SUV
Roy, 05/04/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 9 people found this review helpful
Wonderful car
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A Great ride!!!
william zimmerman, 04/04/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 11 people found this review helpful
Highly Recomend This car!!
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Happy New owner
Alan Scolnick, 11/03/2017
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 12 people found this review helpful
just got car very happy as can be determined by review Some questions are N?A mine is a2018 Forrester premium
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Lady Lynn Got the Green!
Lady Lynn, 09/14/2019
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The forester has EYESIGHT makes driving safer and less work. It is easy to exit with my back problem. I drive daily on mountain road lots of curves forester is built for this! The pretty springtime green makes me feel happy.
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Buru Goat
Master Sarge Milt, 03/04/2020
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It meets our expectations and more! Not as smooth as our other SUV's (we were spoiled with comforts of Merecedes and Volvos. But it is a perfect for snow and ice. Goes where other makes were off the road in snow piles.
Excellent auto
Angie, 11/14/2020
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am elderly and this auto has performed admirably. I am now going to give it to a relative and purchase a Crosstrek because it would be a better choice for my use.
My car
Lana, 04/08/2021
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love my subaru, except the window tint in my Forester! It is the hottest car on the inside I have ever had!!!! No tint what-so-ever! It may be 120 degrees when I get in my car after work!
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Love it - Except
riverandsnow, 04/19/2021
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Upgraded from a 2013 Crosstrek to the Forester in May 2018. I was expecting similar / fair performance going from a 2.0 to a larger vehicle with a 2.5. Pleasantly surprised at how much more zippy the Forester is and my mileage is several MPG better than the 2013 XV Crosstrek. Easily cruses at 80+ while the XV only felt comfortable around 70. Punching it to pass or enter the Freeway is a piece of cake. Does not need a turbo to go fast. My passengers say the rear seating is more comfortable than the XV. Storage is decent given the vehicles overall size. Handles nicely, even in snow. Stereo is good. Car has been dependable. Negatives - When is Subaru going to wise up and run a simple vent to the rear seats for passenger comfort and to help prevent people from getting car sick. This should be standard on even the lowest level trim. The Low gear is a bad, even dangerous, joke. Going down the final grade on Hwy 50 into Tahoe the gear will only slow the car to 40-45 MPH. On many of the steep curvy, and sometimes icy roads, I have the go down, this forces me to ride the brakes. We know what happens when you ride brakes on ice. I hear the 2021 Foresters have more gear options but only on the higher trim levels. For a company that advertises how safe their cars are, more low gear options should be standard on all trim levels. Next is the center display. The XV's display was much more sensible. Why try to crowd four lines of data onto a three inch high screen ? You have to take your eyes off the road for longer to read it. The graph options require constant interpretation. Once again, eyes off the road. Why the picture option of which wheels are engaging? If you are in a situation where the car is having trouble gaining traction, the last thing you should be doing is watching a pretty display.
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2018 Forester Premium 6MT BEAST!
Musashi Miyoshi , 09/08/2021
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this used May 2021 in excellent condition with 19k miles on it. I've added Primitive Racing skid plates. So far I've hit one easy trail in AZ and the Forester handled it like a champ. My work sent me to San Francisco so I did a nice road trip with my car loaded for a long stay. The MPG was at 28.2 when I bought this car and now I've brought it up to 28.6 with 8k miles so far. While in Northern CA I've driven up mountain trails in 10k elevation, and even taken the Forester to Pismo Beach where I drove it through sand dunes. It got stuck once but other than that I was very impressed with its ability to handle different terrains. It's tight turning radius is also helpful when trying to park in SF's crazy streets. The Subaru Forester is easily one of the best choices for both urban elements and dirt trail adventures. I've owned various manual transmission cars and trucks but the Subaru Forester is so far the most fun to drive.
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Fantastic on snow, a bit pricey to maintain
MR, 10/04/2022
updated 04/05/2023
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I LOVE my Forester, but Subarus have unique technology which must be maintained at a dealership, so maintenance is more expensive than with my previous vehicles (Toyotas and Hondas). In addition, there was a problem with Starlink needing to be replaced or lost permanently. This was not handled well by Subaru IMHO.
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2018 Touring
Manny, 03/07/2024
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Top of the line, love this car especially the brown interior, great gas mileage, fun to drive
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12 Subaru!
John, 03/22/2024
updated 03/25/2025
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
One of my best of 12 Subaru’s owned. No major issues. Great visibility and all the safety features one could want and more than expected on a Subaru
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Favorite car
Jackie, 06/06/2024
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We had a Subaru Forrester before. We will probably never buy any other make
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Love my 2018 forester
Deena B, 11/07/2024
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have to say there is nothing bad to say about this SUV. Absolutely love my 2018 Forrester love the way it drives and everything about it has been a great SUV. Highly recommend.
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Best first car I could have asked for.
Joshigator, 11/25/2024
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Back in March 2021, after graduating College and needing a first vehicle I looked at Midsize Pickups and Midsize to Compact SUVs. My want was something utilitarian and rugged, but my budget was sub-20k because 23 year old me read somewhere on the internet that spending more than 20k on your first car was not smart (of course, that number is probly now $25k or so.) This cancelled out the midsize pickup class, because at the time any truck I found under 20k was a beat up 100k + mile Chevy Colorado or Nissan Frontier. Maybe it was just the market, maybe I didnt look hard enough, idk. I also thought I’d rather buy a cheaper car and then upgrade to a Full-Size Pickup which is what I really want later. Anyhoo I had it down to Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4, or Subaru Forester. The Honda was out because the CR-V drives like a car … CR-V is the Weenie Hut Jr.s of all Compact SUVs …, the Toyota Rav4 at the time was out because the only ones in my budget were the 2013-2018 generation ones which are not sharp looking and dont have the best AWD. So I went down to the Subaru Dealer and found a very special 2018 Forester 2.5i Base Model in Quartz Blue Pearl. It was from another Subaru Dealer in New York that customizes base model Foresters with aftermarket leather seats and better wheels. It had $25k miles on it. At $18,994 it was a steal. Only problem it had awful baloney-skin tires on it, those had to go, so the first thing I did to that car was put Falken Wildpeak A/T Trails on it. Best decision ever at the cost of the tires themselves and 1-2 miles per gallon. It now has over 60,000 miles on it. The only problems I’ve encountered were a rattling Exhaust Manifold Heat Shield at 35,000 miles which is an extremely common issue with Foresters and Outbacks and a $15 fix, and a failed Right Rear Wheel Hub Bearing at 53,000 miles … according to my mechanic the RR wheel hub bearing is the “achilles heel” of modern Subarus, so expect that job at some point. Otherwise this car has been absolutely fantastic. It is no where near as smooth as the competition, it feels tinny and the body roll is crazy for something so small, but thats not a problem at all for me since I like that rugged, tinny, non-fancy driving dynamic. It also has pretty good punch for a 2.5 liter 4 cyl with a CVT. The traditionalist in me still wishes they had gone with a 6 or 8-speed automatic instead though. Hopefully the CVT fad ends one of these model years. Although I still would rather drive a pickup truck, I really can’t complain that I got this thing for under $20k and its lasted me over 3 years and over 30,000 miles and is still young (by mileage at least) with little trouble at all. Another special thing and probly why I’ve had such a good experience with my 2018 Forester, its the last of its kind. After 2018, Subaru got rid of the SJ body style and ushered in the new SK Forester on a new “global platform.” I dont like them as much, they are smoothed out but they’re also bigger and more loaded with technology features I don’t need or want…i.e. standard EyeSight and an electronic handbrake? Shouldn’t those be optional features?
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Suv
Rf, 05/16/2025
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
So far it’s been reliable
Forester Fantabulous
TOM, 07/25/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
you will drive carefree as Subaru really knows how to build cars
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Most uncomfortable car I have ever ridden in!
Charity, 06/20/2023
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
We got this car as a rental while our truck was being serviced and I have to say, it’s a horrible ride! The passenger seat has NO adjustments except forward/backward and the back of the seat goes forward/backward and that’s it! The lumbar is horrible making the passenger sit in the most uncomfortable way!! Can barely pull out into traffic because it’s so slow.
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Great SUV for the money
Glenn, 03/19/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 5 people found this review helpful
Great SUV for the money
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SUV for today's driver
John Lopez, 12/18/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Saftey , ecomony and it looks pretty good outside.
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Victory Subaru Somerset NJ
BobH, 05/23/2018
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 8 people found this review helpful
Stop in and see Bilal at Victory Subaru he will make your visit a 5 star performance. He is very knowledgeable and takes time to explain the car. He was a pleasure to deal with.
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Review Subie
Dave, 11/22/2017
2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 10 people found this review helpful
I have only had the car got three weeks but am very happy with the car so far. This may be more valid if I had 60 Thousand miles on the car.
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