2018 Subaru Forester Review

Name: 2018 Subaru Forester
Brand: Subaru

Price Range: $11,815 - $25,998

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by Dan Frio

Pros

All-wheel drive comes standard and doesn't sink fuel economy
High ground clearance offers better than average off-road ability
Airy interior with plenty of room for adults both front and rear
Optional turbocharged engine makes Forester very quick

Cons

CVT feels less responsive and refined than a traditional automatic
Handling isn't as sporty as some rivals
Cabin design and materials are just average
Modest tow rating limits overall utility

What's new

Black Edition package includes black-finished wheels and trim
Touring trims get the EyeSight safety bundle, automatic high beams and reverse automatic braking as standard
Part of the fourth Forester generation introduced for 2014

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

106 listings

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2018 Subaru Forester
2.5i 4dr SUV
$12,728
great price
$1,743 below market
- 111,208 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 26 City / 32 Hwy MPG
- AutoNation Toyota Leesburg (6 mi away)
- Home delivery*Five Star Dealer
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Leesburg, VA
Alloy Wheel PackageInt/Ext Auto Dim Mirror W/Homelink/Approach LightAll-Weather Floor MatsGray; Cloth UpholsteryJasmine Green MetallicThis vehi...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (26 City/32 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JF2SJABCXJH444543
Stock: JH444543
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 11-07-2025
Price Drop
2018 Subaru Forester
2.5i Premium 4dr SUV
$11,815
good price
$1,343 below market
- 123,562 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 5 Seats, 26 City / 32 Hwy MPG
- Driveway (4 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
Close
Located in Sterling, VA
Back-Up Camera,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Satellite Radio,Sunroof / Moonroof,Power Door Locks,Satellite Radio,Brake Assist,Floor Mats,Gasoline Fuel,CD Pla...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (26 City/32 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JF2SJAGC0JH471758
Stock: JH471758T
Certified Pre-Owned: No

See all for sale

One year after receiving significant upgrades in styling, cabin comfort and safety aids, the Forester carries over into 2018 with only minor changes. Most notable is the new 2.5i Black Edition, which adds a black-out finish on wheels, body trim and grille and extends into the cabin with black cloth upholstery and black gloss dashboard trim.

Last year's update included features such as blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking, enhanced sound deadening for a quieter cabin, and interior options such as Saddle Brown leather that help make the Forester more competitive in its class.

What hasn't changed, however, are the qualities that have made the Forester a top pick since its last major overhaul in 2014, and indeed since its introduction 20 years ago: standard all-wheel drive, extra ground clearance, a spacious cabin with excellent outward visibility, a large and versatile cargo area, and an optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Many Foresters come equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which improves fuel economy, but you can still order a classic six-speed manual for controlling your own shifts. The Forester returns between 24 and 28 mpg combined, depending on which engine and transmission you choose.

Although the compact crossover segment is rich with compelling choices, the Forester stakes a legitimate claim to leadership.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our Full Test of the 2017 Subaru Forester XT (turbo 2.0L flat-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.5
Technology	6.5

Driving

7.5

Thanks in large part to the XT's 250 horsepower, the Forester is arguably the best performing vehicle in this class. Combined with confident braking, precise on- and off-road handling and multiple driving modes, the Forester is one of the best in its class.

Acceleration

8.0

With 250 horsepower on tap, the Forester XT is definitely a quick SUV. Of the three driving modes (I, S and S#), S# is the most responsive, delivering immediate throttle response and rapid access to the turbo's ample power. The CVT "shifts" needlessly in every mode.

Braking

7.0

Around town, the brakes are easy to modulate. There's ample stopping power from the surprisingly grippy tires but also a fair bit of dive.

Steering

6.5

The electrically assisted steering offers decent feel and accuracy, but nothing more. The steering response is aided by various chassis reinforcements and stiffer spring rates compared to a standard Forester.

Handling

7.5

Thanks to the surprisingly grippy tires, you might forget you're in a Forester, until the considerable body roll sets in. Even with the hot motor, the XT is still an off-road-biased SUV. That said, you don't need to shy away from twistier roads as the Forester can navigate them confidently.

Drivability

7.5

Of the three modes (I, S and S#), S strikes the best balance for everyday driving as it allows quick access to the wide powerband without being too touchy. The CVT does its best work when there's little variation in speed, but it becomes needlessly fussy even with the XT's broad powerband.

Off-road

8.0

With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Forester easily has the edge over other SUVs in this class. The driver selectable X-Mode includes hill descent control and the ability to shift power between the front and rear wheels to conquer slippery surfaces.

Comfort

8.0

The Forester's comfortable cabin and quiet ride make the case for taking this SUV out of the city and onto the open road. The ride is well controlled across all surfaces and most everyone will be able to find enough room and creature comforts to stay happy for hours at a time.

Seat comfort

7.0

The seats in the Forester are broad, flat and fairly soft. With 10-way power adjustability, most drivers can find a comfortable position. Rear-seat passengers have more than enough head- and shoulder room, and the seat cushions are comfortable for longer trips.

Ride comfort

8.0

Combined with a more off-road-biased suspension and taller sidewalls, the Forester offers a smooth and relaxed ride over most surfaces. The trade-off lies in noticeable body roll that is more pronounced compared to most of its competitors.

Noise & vibration

7.5

Road and wind noise is low at all speeds, and the Forester XT has the makings of a good long-distance cruiser. Over broken pavement most vibrations are well damped, but the unique buzz from the four-cylinder engine can't be totally eliminated from the steering wheel and pedals.

Climate control

8.0

Simple rotary controls are clear, easy to use and a welcome find in this very menu-driven interior. Ventilation is straightforward and adequate for cooling the large and airy cabin.

Interior

7.0

There's nothing exceptional about the Forester's interior, but it shows the efforts Subaru has made to bring this SUV up to par with its competition. An overload of screens and redundant menus, along with an unusually high seating position, are the biggest marks against it.

Ease of use

5.0

Only the climate controls and a few of the buttons on the steering wheel are straightforward. Between the two multifunction and center touchscreen, there's redundant information, mismatched graphics and too many menus that generally distract the driver.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

Wide-opening doors make getting in and out of the Forester easy. And thanks to the generous ground clearance, stepping into a seat is one fluid motion. The back seats are just as easy to access, and this would be a good car for people with limited mobility.

Driving position

5.5

The driver's seat is almost uncomfortably high and can't be lowered to a position that makes most drivers happy. Because of that, the dashboard and all of its controls, as well as the steering wheel, sit quite low, giving you the feeling that you're perched on top of the car rather than seated in it.

Roominess

8.0

There's good space inside the Forester for both the front and rear occupants, with plenty of head- and shoulder room to spare. Even the massive sunroof doesn't impinge on headroom.

Visibility

8.0

The somewhat awkward high seating position does lend itself to a confident view of the road. There's also good visibility out the sides and rear thanks to the Forester's tall greenhouse. The side rearview mirrors are generous and helpful in tight quarters.

Quality

7.5

Though some of the materials could be a bit nicer, most surfaces are soft-touch and nicely grained. The Forester feels solid and well-built even if the doors feel a little thin. The level of fit and finish is high, and the leather seats are of good quality.

Utility

7.5

Practicality is definitely one of the Forester's strong suits. With plenty of headroom for day-to-day items, there's also no shortage of space for larger bags, groceries or camping gear. But all that practicality does come at the expense of room for larger child seats.

Small-item storage

8.0

With generous door pockets front and rear, there's plenty of room for larger drinks and small items for all passengers. Center console storage is more than adequate for cellphones and sunglasses.

Cargo space

8.0

There's generous cargo space with the seats up, and with the seats down the Forester can swallow a lot of gear. It's unfortunate that with the seats folded, the load floor isn't completely flat; otherwise it would be hard to fault. A power-operated liftgate is available.

Child safety seat accommodation

5.5

Contrary to the space adults may find in the back seat, there's not much room for larger car seats to fit behind either of the front seats without moving them forward a considerable amount. LATCH anchors are clearly labeled.

Towing

6.0

Like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Forester is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds. A similarly equipped Ford Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Technology

6.5

Though the new center display is a welcome step forward for Subaru in terms of both resolution and usability, the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a big disappointment. Subaru's own suite of safety features is very comprehensive and has improved since last year.

Audio & navigation

6.5

The new, high-resolution 7-inch LCD center display's graphics are much improved and easy to understand, and the unit responds quickly to inputs. Volume and tuning knobs are also welcome features. The 440-watt, eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is more loud than refined.

Smartphone integration

5.0

Critically, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not supported. Bluetooth connectivity is simple enough, but we did experience some intermittent issues with Bluetooth audio not being recognized.

Driver aids

8.0

An updated version of Subaru's EyeSight includes radar cruise control, high-beam assist, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking and blind-spot detection. Headlights that steer with the front wheels are also standard in Touring trim.

Voice control

6.5

Android phone users will have to manage with Subaru's standard voice controls but Apple users can take advantage of Siri Eyes Free for better voice control over the infotainment system.

Compare 2018 Subaru Forester trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Subaru Forester models

The all-wheel-drive 2018 Subaru Forester is a five-seat compact crossover that offers a bit more off-road prowess than others in its class. Six trim levels are available: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 2.0XT Premium and 2.0XT Touring. The 2.5i models come with a 2.5-liter engine, while the more expensive 2.0XT models use a smaller but more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. All-wheel drive is standard on every Forester. Subaru also offers a few option packages that help bridge the gaps between certain trim levels.

As its name implies, the base 2.5i is powered by a 2.5-liter engine (170 horsepower, 174 pound-feet) matched to a six-speed manual or optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Standard equipment includes 17-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seatback, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a driver information display, a rearview camera, a 6.2-inch touchscreen with Subaru's Starlink technology interface, smartphone app integration and a four-speaker sound system.

Optional for the base 2.5i (with the CVT) is an Alloy Wheel package that includes 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and automatic up-down front windows.

Those items come standard on the 2.5i Premium, which further adds a panoramic sunroof, power driver seat, reclining rear seats, automatic climate control, larger 7-inch touchscreen, voice commands, Starlink Safety Plus telematics (emergency assistance, automatic collision notification and various remote services), and an upgraded six-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

An All-Weather package with heated front seats and heated side mirrors comes standard on Premium trims with a manual transmission, but it's an extra-cost option on CVT models. The All-Weather package opens the door to the EyeSight safety package, however, which adds adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and intervention, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. A version of this package is available with foglights and an adjustable-height power liftgate. These options aren't available for manual transmission models.

The 2.5i Premium Black Edition bridges the Premium and Limited trims with 18-inch black-finish wheels, a black grille and exterior trim, and black cloth upholstery. The Black Edition also adds the CVT and All-Weather package as standard equipment, as well as X-Mode enhanced off-road traction, hill descent control, automatic and adaptive headlights with automatic high-beam control and foglights.

The 2.5i Limited builds on the Black Edition features with a power liftgate, leather upholstery, an upgraded driver information display and a cargo area cover. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and 17-inch wheels are also standard.

Optional for the Limited is a technology package that bundles navigation with an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The Limited's EyeSight package includes the upgraded sound system, navigation, all features from the Premium's EyeSight package, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high-beam control and reverse automatic braking (to prevent collisions while backing up).

At the top of the 2.5i line is the 2.5i Touring with 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, upgraded side mirrors with integrated turn signals, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, an upgraded sound system, navigation and one-touch folding rear seatbacks. The EyeSight package is also standard. Black or Saddle Brown perforated leather upholstery is optional.

If you want more power, there's the Forester 2.0XT Premium. It has all the equipment of the 2.5i Premium plus a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 258 lb-ft) paired with a CVT. Other XT-specific features include 18-inch alloy wheels, larger brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, additional selectable driving modes, shift paddles, the All-Weather package and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Note that the EyeSight package is not available on this model.

The 2.0XT Touring offers the same upgrades as the 2.5i Touring and adds a power liftgate with adjustable height settings.

Auto-dimming mirrors are optional for all Foresters, and all CVT-equipped Foresters can be ordered with a remote engine start feature.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$146/mo

$170/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Reliability

The 2018 Subaru Forester has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranks it #22 out of 29 among Compact SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average

#22 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$525/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

1.07x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

15%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

Recalls

3 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 21V587000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: WRG-21
Number of vehicles affected:: 175968
Defect Description:: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Defect Consequence:: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

Recall Number:: 19V701000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: WUM-98
Manufactured from:: 2015-01-20 to 2017-08-01
Number of vehicles affected:: 366282
Defect Description:: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Defect Consequence:: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning November 29, 2019, and will receive a second notice when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

Recall Number:: 18V455000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: WTS-78
Manufactured from:: 2017-07-06 to 2018-01-22
Number of vehicles affected:: 3654
Defect Description:: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Defect Consequence:: Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTS-78.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Subaru Forester Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

138 reviews

5(57%)

4(27%)

3(6%)

2(4%)

1(6%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Better than Expected

Mark in the North Georgia Mountains, 05/01/2018

2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)

We purchased a base model 2018 Forester as an economical everyday/trip vehicle to replace our 16 year old Mazda hatchback. We needed something with a little more room, but was still economical to own and operate. Another requisite was a manual transmission which is getting harder to find outside of sport models, but was still available in the Forester. This is our first Subaru, and we … hope their reputation for durability and reliability are warranted. The vehicle has so far (1600 miles and about a month of use), proven to be better than expected. The interior comfort, quietness of the cabin at speed, ride quality, ease of entry and exit, storage space, and fuel economy have all been excellent. The fuel economy has been a surprise (over 29 mpg combined), in that we exceed the EPA estimates for the model without really trying. The manual 6 speed shifts well and the engine has plenty of power and torque for everyday driving. It has a roomy and comfortable back seat capable of long trips with little trouble. The only criticism so far is that some of the interior materials seem to have hard plastic finishes. The base infotainment stereo unit has an excellent sound and easy Bluetooth connectability, as well as great radio reception, and shockingly, a CD player for us old folks that like such things. The standard backup camera comes in handy for parking in tight places. It handles well on our mountain roads with some expected body lean (for the class of vehicle), and tracks well through the curves. The turning radius is excellent for a vehicle of it's size, for great maneuverability in tight spaces. The all wheel drive and ground clearance will come in handy for exploring the Forest Service roads around here, and when the snow is an issue. Overall, we are very pleased so far with the purchase. Update 11/1/2018 - We have now owned the Forester for 7 months and 9800 miles and are still very pleased with it. One thing I neglected to mention in the earlier review was how fantastic the brakes are in this thing. They have great pedal feel and stop the vehicle very quickly, which has come in handy on a number of occasions. The visibility from the cabin is much better than on any of our other vehicles which helps with confidence on the road. Plus we are still getting over 29 mpg combined mileage. I was disappointed to hear that Subaru has dropped the manual transmission option from the 2019 Forester, and hope they reconsider it in later years for those of us who prefer them. Update 11/1/2019 - We have had the Forester for a year and a half with over 21,000 miles on the odometer, and are still pleased with the purchase. We have had no issues at all and are still getting 29 mpg combined. If I had to nitpick, I would wish for the original equipment tires on the base model to have a little more aggressive AT style tread and a higher treadwear warranty, as the current tires are showing significant wear at this point. Given that we live in the mountains and have pretty much continuous curves and hills to traverse, I'm not surprised with the tire wear, but one can wish. Update 5/1/2020 - We have had the Forester for a little over 2 years now and the vehicle is still running great with no issues at all. Still comfortable, quiet, over 29 mpg combined, and holds contents like Hermione's purse. Still very happy with the purchase with no regrets. Update:5/4/2021 - Forester still running well, but I have 2 improvements to suggest to Subaru. First, at 32k miles, the OEM Yokohama tires are mostly shot, and have been getting more and more squirrelly in the rain for quite a while. Better, deeper grooved more AT type tires would be an improvement. Second, the rear brake pads are about in need of replacement with normal driving, which is way sooner than any other vehicle I have owned. Larger pads and/or calipers from the factory would be a great improvement, so that all four wheel's brakes could be replaced at the same time. Still comfortable and dependable, however. Update - 5/2022 - A little over 4 years and 40k miles and still happy with it. We replaced the OE tires at 38k miles, as they were shot and really bad in the rain. The Cooper CS5 Grand Tourings we put on are a huge improvement in wet and dry handling, although they are a tad less fuel efficient. Still averaging 29 MPG overall, comfortable, and reliable. Update 11/2023 - Over 50K miles now, with no issues and just basic maintenance costs. Still reliable, comfortable, and 29 mpg over the life of the car. Happy wth the car, and hoping it lasts a long, long time with the current vehicle pricing up to what it is now thanks to inflation and regulatory pressures. 5/2024 - Still going strong with no issues.

High Tech Safety Features

Jim W, 05/22/2018

2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

I've had the car for nearly a year, and I have over 8,000 miles on it. I am 6'4" tall, and I have sufficient leg room up front. There's also plenty of room to sleep in the back. I don't like the hesitation and stutter of the transmission when starting from a stop, however. The CVT is quirky, but this can be overcome with a delicate touch on the gas pedal and a lot of practice. I turned … off the lane departure feature because the pulling and tugging at the steering wheel just drove me crazy. I pulled a 1,600 lbs. utility trailer behind the car for over 3,000 miles, traveling between San Diego, CA and Eugene, OR. It handled wonderfully on flat-and-level as well as mountainous roads. The backup and rear cross-traffic sensors will alert you to approaching traffic even if you can't see it, and will stop the vehicle in a hurry should you fail to respond appropriately. If you want to get the maximum freeway gas mileage (33 mpg highway), you'll have to set the Adaptive Cruise Control to 65 mph. That seems to be the sweet spot on my Forester. The shorter wheelbase makes the Forester very responsive to steering input. That's great when it comes to the turning radius, but not so great when you're traveling at highway speeds. I found that driving on the freeway for more than an hour at a time meant that my shoulders got a little workout. The headlight beam is designed in such a way that it doesn't rise above waist height. So the traffic ahead of you isn’t exposed to a lot of glare. The high beam is appropriately bright, but it too is flat on top so as to avoid shining where it doesn't have to shine. UPDATE November, 2018 I’ve owned the Forester for about 18 months with over 12,000 miles on it. I love this vehicle as much as I did when it was brand new. I got used to the CVT, but it’s still a little annoying when shifting from reverse to drive because of the delay. Oh well! My best mileage was 36.4 mpg highway. Pulling my 1600 lb. utility trailer drops that down to just over 15 mpg. This vehicle is rated to pull 1500, but I cheat sometimes when I’m fully loaded. I don’t do this often, and haven’t had any problems. I’m 6’4", and I can nearly stretch out fully in the back while sleeping. The Forester’s high clearance makes climbing over serious ruts and relatively rough terrain quite easy. The street tires it came with suffice for the kind of driving I do, but if I were doing a lot of off-the-highway driving, I’d get a more aggressive tire. I also put a roof basket on top to carry additional gear; it cuts about 3 mpg off of the fuel consumption. I have no problems making u-turns on most streets. The 2.5 liter engine is perfect for this vehicle’s weight. Lots of rear-passenger leg room. I got the sunroof, and I like how it has two different open positions: normal open and "big-mouth-bass open." UPDATE May 22, 2019 The only thing I want to add is that I still love driving this SUV. Even though it only has the four cylinder engine, it’s fine for my usual type of driving. I’ve taken the Forester off-road several more times, on some pretty washed-out trails as well. It takes them all in stride. UPDATE November 22, 2019 You’re probably tired of reading about my experiences with the Forester, but I’m telling you, this is my favorite vehicle of all time. I’ve now owned it for about two years and three months. I don’t get anymore free services, but I still love this vehicle. UPDATE November 22, 2020 The AC failed (leak) in August this year. It’s only three years old! The Forester was out of warranty, so I took it to an auto AC specialist. Within a week or so, I received a letter from Subaru of America stating the warranty covering the AC would be extended. I took my Forester to the dealership where they replaced the condenser and refrigerant; SOA reimbursed me for the earlier AC service. UPDATE: November 23, 2022. The Forester continues to be my favorite car; no issues since my last update. I have 26,000 miles on it now. I'm expecting the original battery to give out soon due to the fact that I bought this Forester in August of 2017. But it continues to crank right up, so I'll just bide my time. UPDATE: May 23, 2023. I have just under 30,000 miles on my Forester. I installed a new vehicle battery, four new tires, and new batteries for my key fobs. The GPS map gets me where I want to go when I use it, but I can tell it needs a software update. Subaru of America charges a ridiculous fee to download updates. Oh well, I'll just start using my cell phone. Still drives like it did the day I bought it. I think the brake pads will be the next item I'll need to replace. UPDATE: May 23, 2024. I replaced the brake pads. The windshield wiper fluid reservoir stopped pumping fluid suddenly, and I discovered that the pump filter had gotten clogged with sediment from the hard water that comes to my house. Unfortunately, Subaru designed their reservoirs so that they can't be taken apart to replace individual components; you have to buy the entire (exorbitantly pricey) reservoir unit. Cheap solution: pour a cup of vinegar into the reservoir to dissolve the mineral buildup. I used a concentrated formulation rather than the kind you put on your salad. I let the vinegar sit in the reservoir over night. By the next day the wiper fluid reservoir worked just fine again. Yes, you'll smell vinegar until the reservoir is empty, but hey! I bought a new Garmin GPS for far less than Subaru charges to update their factory GPS. Garmin lets you update their GPS units for free. The car is 7 years old now and still runs great. I have less than 33,000 miles on it. UPDATE May 24, 2025. Paint job on the rear hatch is wearing badly, but the Forester continues to drive like a champ. I just went over 36,000 miles.

For my money, best in class

MN, 08/20/2017

2018 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

Review at 1000 miles: We spent the last six months researching and test driving for our first new purchase. We had a budget of $35k and the final three contenders were the BMW X1, Honda CR-V Touring and the Subaru Forester XT Touring. We live at altitude in the Pacific Northwest and are "outdoorsy" without needing extreme off road capability. We also take the highway up to fairly …

Very Impressive!

DM, 10/15/2017

2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

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. So I've had the car for a little over a year now and thought I'd provide an update. Bottom line, still love it! My gas mileage is not quite as good because I'm passed the break-in period and drive it a little harder than when I first got it. I'm still getting about 26mpg in town and 33mpg or so on the interstate, which I consider to be excellent. My only complaint is the automatic rear hatch is slow as heck, but that's a pretty minor thing that I can certainly live with. Overall, I'm still extremely pleased with this car. Well I've owned the Forester for three years now and couldn't be more pleased. Absolutely no mechanical issues at about 34k miles and the mpg is around 26/33 city to highway driving between 6100 and 9000 ft in elevation here in Colorado. The car has been through two winters and is rock solid in the snow. No rattles or other noises as this vehicle still drives like it was brand new. I'm regularly getting offers from the dealer to trade it in, but it's paid for and my guess is we'll put a lot more miles on it before changing it out. Great car!! It's now been about 5 1/2 years since we purchased the Forester and the car has about 60k miles. I'm going to sound like a broken record but this car has simply been great. Absolutely zero issues mechanically and continued great MPG's at about 26/33. We will probably trade it in a year or so from now as the resale seems excellent as well. Most likely, another Forester will be in our future. We'll see.

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Trim:

2.5i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$22,795
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$146/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	34.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Forester models:

Incline Start Assist: Prevents the vehicle from rolling backward on a hill for several seconds after the brake pedal is released.
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology: Helps prevent accidents by adding features such as lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking.
Reverse Automatic Braking: Helps reduce collisions by applying the brakes if a vehicle is detected crossing the Forester's path while in reverse.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover16.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Marginal
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2018 Subaru Forester Review

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