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2018 Subaru Forester

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Subaru Forester OEM Exterior Photo
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Used Car Price Range
$13,991 - $25,995
$13,991 $25,995
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2018 2.5i 4dr All-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $22,795
2018 2.5i Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $25,695
2018 2.5i Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $29,395
2018 2.0XT Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $29,495
2018 2.5i Touring 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $33,090
2018 2.0XT Touring 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $36,090
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

It makes sense that the Subaru Forester is the brand's best-selling model. On the surface it's a mainstream crossover SUV, but underneath that conventional exterior the Forester's traditional functionality and meaningful off-road potential (and, with the 2.0XT models, rally-car moves) make it a strong contender against many show-over-substance rivals in a very popular market.

What's New for 2018

The 2018 Forester is all but unchanged from its 2017 predecessor. A few trim lines see minor equipment changes: Subaru gets on the blackout-trim trend with the Black Edition, a dress package available on the 2.5i Premium; the EyeSight active-safety package is now standard on the 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring; and the 2.0XT Touring also picks up an active torque-vectoring system to maximize grip in slippery conditions.

Subaru Forester

Choosing Your Subaru Forester

The Forester shares its basic platform with the previous generation of Subaru's Impreza. Power for the 2.5i models comes from, predictably, Subaru's 2.5-liter flat-four, which makes 170 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium and a continuously-variable transmission is optional. More upscale trim lines get the CVT as standard. The 2.0XT Premium and 2.0XT Touring use a 250-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four mated to a CVT, which can emulate upshifts and downshifts with the paddles behind the steering wheel. Regardless of powerplant or transmission, all Foresters use Subaru's signature all-wheel-drive system and are set up to provide almost nine inches of ground clearance.

EPA fuel economy estimates for manual-transmission Foresters are 22 miles per gallon city, 28 highway, and 24 combined. Foresters with the 2.5-liter and CVT see notable increases to 26 city/32 highway/28 combined. Turbocharged Foresters return 23 mpg city/27 highway/25 combined fuel economy estimates.

The Forester is offered in six trim levels:

Subaru Forester

2.5i

The Forester lineup starts at $23,710 (all prices listed here include the $915 delivery fee). Standard features include a touchscreen-controlled infotainment system, a rearview camera, and a tilt-and-telescope multifunction steering wheel. The CVT is a $1,000 option; once that is selected, shiftless types may also opt for alloy wheels.

Subaru Forester

2.5i Premium

For an asking price of $26,610 the Premium makes alloy wheels standard, upgrades the infotainment system with a SiriusXM satellite radio receiver, and adds a sunroof. An All-Weather Package (heaters for the seats, outside mirrors and wipers) is standard on six-speed Premiums and optional if the CVT is selected. Other significant options include the Black Edition trim package, Subaru's EyeSight active-safety system (automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control), StarLink telematics system, and navigation.

Subaru Forester

2.0XT Premium

The 2.0XT Premium essentially starts with the 2.5i Premium, trades the standard driveline for a turbocharged engine and a strengthened CVT, adds upgraded suspension components and brakes and 18-inch wheels, and adjusts the sticker price up to $30,410.

Subaru Forester

2.5i Limited

The CVT is now standard and Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction management software helps manage loose surfaces and steep hills. The All-Weather Package is standard. The seats, steering wheel, and shifter knob now wear leather. EyeSight and Starlink navigation, now coupled with a 440-watt Harman/Kardon sound system, are still available as options on top of the Limited's $30,310 MSRP.

Subaru Forester

2.5i Touring

EyeSight and Starlink with navigation and the Harman/Kardon audio system are now standard; EyeSight now includes rear emergency braking. 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel are now standard. The only option available on top of the Touring's $34,005 asking price is saddle-brown upholstery.

Subaru Forester

2.0XT Touring

As the 2.0XT Premium is to the 2.5i Premium, so the 2.0XT Touring is to the 2.5i Touring. An Active Torque Vectoring system is fitted to the all-wheel-drive system for maximum grip management, and MSRP with delivery is $37,005.

CarsDirect Tip

The available heated seats, sunroof, and upgraded infotainment system in the 2.5i Premium make a fair case for moving up from the base 2.5i's comfortable standard specifications. If you're looking more at the top of the order, the Touring with its additional model-specific upgrades is very close to the asking price for a Limited with Starlink and EyeSight. Be advised that the next-generation Forester, based on the same platform as the recently revised Impreza, is due in 2019.

Get your price on a Subaru Forester >>

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Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

Four years into its current model cycle, the 2018 Subaru Forester, the brand's best-selling model, continues to offer a shape that's more station wagon than SUV, wrapped around all-wheel-drive security, crossover-like practicality, and car-like ride and handling. But an interior, even on upper-trim models, that's more modest than lavish may turn off those looking for luxury touches.

Best Value

The 2018 Subaru Forester ranges at $23,710 (including a $915 destination charge) for a base 2.5i with a six-speed manual to $37,005 for a CVT-equipped 2.0XT Touring model. The top-of-the-line Touring trim is also available with a non-turbocharged boxer engine and includes a leather-trimmed interior, moonroof, a suite of active safety features, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The WRX-derived turbo engine produces 250 horsepower, but the 170-hp 2.5-liter base engine is a smarter choice for everyday use.

The smart money, though, passes on the Touring and snags the mid-range 2.5i Premium (which is also available with the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four). By forgoing a leather interior and moonroof, you can save nearly $3,700. Included in that savings are two option packages: the Black Edition package with interior, exterior and off-road enhancements, and the All-Weather Package with EyeSight and Blind Spot, which adds one of the most advanced active safety suites on the market alongside some neat off-road enhancements.

Here's how we'd build it:

  • Model: 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium
  • Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder
  • Output: 170 hp / 174 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
  • MPG: 27 city / 42 highway
  • Exterior color: Ice Silver Metallic
  • Interior color: Gray
  • Options: Continuously variable transmission ($500), Black Edition ($1,150, 18-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel paddle-shifters, X-mode, hill descent control, cargo tray, steering responsive headlights, black-accented fog lights and exterior mirrors, auto-on/off headlights, LED headlights, leather-wrapped shift lever handle and steering wheel, welcome lighting, cloth upholstery with simulated leather bolsters) All-Weather Package + EyeSight + Blind Spot ($1,695, heated outside mirrors and front seats, rear view camera, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, steering responsive fog lights).
  • Base Price: $27,110
  • As Tested: $29,955

Performance Pros

Subaru Forester
  • Even with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Forester's solid, car-like handling feels sportier than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
  • Subaru's continuously variable transmission is one of the best-performing CVTs available.
  • The only vehicle in its class to offer standard all-wheel-drive.

Performance Cons

  • The 2.5-liter engine, the most widely-available engine choice, offers only adequate performance.
  • The Forester's 1,500-pound towing capacity is only middling for its class.
  • Subaru's X-Mode system, which offers advanced off-road capability, isn't available on the base model.

Interior Pros

  • Despite its wagon-like looks, a low window line and fairly high driving position offer a nice view of the road.
  • 108 cubic feet of passenger space, plenty of rear seat room, and an optional (standard on Touring models) one-touch rear seat contribute to the Forester's versatility.
  • An acoustic windshield plus additional sound-deadening materials added in 2017 mean quieter and more pleasant long-distance trips.

Interior Cons

Subaru Forester
  • Flat front seat cushions lack adequate side support.
  • A narrow cockpit means taller drivers, especially, may find their legs in contact with the hard plastic trim found on the center console and lower door panels.
  • Interior materials on even the top-trim models can hardly be called premium.

Our Favorite Thing

8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel-drive, and a car-like ride give the Forester an advantage over the competition in the small SUV class.

Our Least Favorite Thing

Even the top-trim $37,000-plus Touring model features an interior that skews more towards the utilitarian.

Right For

Subaru Forester

A smooth ride, plenty of interior room, a slew of available active safety features and the confidence of all-wheel-drive make the latest Forester a good choice for families.

Wrong For

The Forester's rather simple looks are still a few steps below class leaders. The style conscious will be happier with a Mazda CX-5.

The Bottom Line

Despite an interior that features function over style, its car-like handling, small-on-the-outside, big-on-the-inside versatility, and standard all-wheel-drive make the 2018 Subaru Forester one of the best small sport utility vehicles on the market.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L H-4 / 170 HP / 174 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 6-spd man w/OD
Available: Lineartronic 6-spd CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
22 / 28 / 25 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L H-4 / 170 HP / 174 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
22 / 28 / 25 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Double Wishbone
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
15.9 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$61
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
74.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
108 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
181.5 "
Exterior Width
70.7 "
Exterior Height
66.4 "
Front Headroom
41.4 "
Rear Headroom
39.8 "
Front Legroom
43.0 "
Rear Legroom
38.0 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.0 "
Rear Shoulder Room
56.5 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,322 Lbs. / 3,377 Lbs. / 3,395 Lbs.
Wheel Base
104 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Steel / 17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 17.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote / Power Remote Driver / Power Remote Passenger
Bumpers
Body-colored / Front Body-colored
Grille Moldings
With Chrome Bar / Black W/metal-look Surround
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan
Speakers
4 / 4 Kicker / 6 Kicker / 4 Performance / 6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver / Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2018 Subaru Forester for Sale

11 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Subaru
2.5i Premium
Color: White
Price

$13,991

Mileage

124,146 mi

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Auto Republic Fullerton (26 mi)

Phone: (714) 215-9142
Subaru
2.5i
Price

$15,755

Mileage

112,458 mi

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Galpin Ford (22 mi)

Subaru
2.5i
Color: Green
Price

$15,999

Mileage

44,000 mi

Map location icon

Med Auto Group (16 mi)

Phone: (562) 354-8050
Subaru
2.5i Premium
Color: Crystal Black Silica
Price

$17,995

Mileage

61,361 mi

Map location icon

DCH Ford of Thousand Oaks (31 mi)

Phone: (818) 383-2869
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