2018 Subaru Forester Review

The standard 2.5i is well equipped for a very reasonable price, but we think it's worth stepping up to the 2.5i Premium. It offers a sunroof and improved seats and media interface, among other conveniences. You can get other luxuries, but we think the Premium offers the best value.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.