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2018 Subaru Forester
SUV · 2015–2026
Trims and features
What changed for 2018
- Starting prices: +$200 to +$1,795 (4 trims; hover for each)
- New trim: 2.5i Premium Black Edition
- Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine → 2.0-liter Direct Injection Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine (2.0XT Premium, 2.0XT Touring)
2018 Forester trims
| 2.0XT Premium | 2.0XT Touring | 2.5i | 2.5i Limited | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Premium Black Edition | 2.5i Touring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||||||
| Starting MSRP | $29,495 | $36,090 | from $22,795 | $29,395 | $26,195 | $27,345 | $33,090 |
| Powertrain | |||||||
| Engine | 2.0-liter Direct Injection Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine | 2.0-liter Direct Injection Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine | 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine | 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine | 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine | 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine | 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine |
| Horsepower | 250 hp | 250 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Lineartronic CVT | Lineartronic CVT | Lineartronic CVT: Lineartronic CVT 6-Speed Manual: 6-Speed Manual Transmission | Lineartronic CVT | Lineartronic CVT: Lineartronic CVT 6-Speed Manual: 6-Speed Manual Transmission | Lineartronic CVT | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | — | — | Lineartronic CVT: — 6-Speed Manual: 6 | — | Lineartronic CVT: — 6-Speed Manual: 6 | — | — |
| Drivetrain | Awd | Awd | Lineartronic CVT / 6-Speed Manual | Awd | Lineartronic CVT / 6-Speed Manual | Awd | Awd |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | Lineartronic CVT: 28 mpg 6-Speed Manual: 24 mpg | 28 mpg | Lineartronic CVT: 28 mpg 6-Speed Manual: 24 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Size and capability | |||||||
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb |
| Cargo behind last row | 31.5 cu ft | 31.5 cu ft | 34.4 cu ft | 31.5 cu ft | 31.5 cu ft | 31.5 cu ft | 31.5 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 68.5 cu ft | 68.5 cu ft | 74.7 cu ft | 68.5 cu ft | 68.5 cu ft | 68.5 cu ft | 68.5 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 8.7 in | 8.7 in | 8.7 in | 8.7 in | 8.7 in | 8.7 in |
| Length | 180.9 in | 180.9 in | 181.5 in | 181.5 in | 181.5 in | 181.5 in | 181.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3,653 lb | 3,717 lb | Lineartronic CVT: 3,395 lb 6-Speed Manual: 3,322 lb | 3,455 lb | Lineartronic CVT: 3,422 lb 6-Speed Manual: 3,349 lb | — | 3,494 lb |
| Tech | |||||||
| Touchscreen | 7 in | 7 in | 6.2 in | 7 in | 7 in | 7 in | 7 in |
| Apple CarPlay | — | — | — | Optional | — | — | — |
| Android Auto | — | — | — | Optional | — | — | — |
| Digital gauge cluster | 4.3 in | 4.3 in | 4.3 in | 4.3 in | 4.3 in | 4.3 in | 4.3 in |
| Audio | — | Harman Kardon | — | Optional | — | — | Harman Kardon |
| Speakers | 6 | 8 | 4 | 6 + option | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Driver assistance | |||||||
| Adaptive cruise control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control | — | Optional | Optional | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Lane keeping | — | Lane Keep Assist | — | Optional | Optional | Lane Keep Assist | Lane Keep Assist |
| Blind-spot monitoring | — | Blind Spot Alert | — | Blind Spot Alert | Optional | Blind Spot Alert | Blind Spot Alert |
| Automatic emergency braking | — | Automatic Emergency Braking | — | Optional | Optional | Automatic Emergency Braking | Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Rear cross-traffic | — | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | — | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Optional | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert |
| Comfort | |||||||
| Seats | Cloth | Leather | Cloth | Leather | Cloth | Cloth | Leather |
| Heated seats | Front | Front | — | Front | Lineartronic CVT: — 6-Speed Manual: Front | — | Front |
| Driver seat memory | — | Driver Seat | — | — | — | — | Driver Seat |
| Climate zones | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Second row | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench |
| Exterior | |||||||
| Sunroof | Panoramic Moonroof | Panoramic Moonroof | — | Panoramic Moonroof | Panoramic Moonroof | Panoramic Moonroof | Panoramic Moonroof |
| Power liftgate | Power Liftgate | Power Liftgate | — | Power Liftgate | Optional | — | Power Liftgate |
| Wheels | 18 in | 18 in | 17 in + option | 17 in | 17 in | 18 in | 18 in |
Packages and options (21)
| 2.0XT Premium | 2.0XT Touring | 2.5i | 2.5i Limited | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Premium Black Edition | 2.5i Touring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Weather Package $500 | Standard | Standard | — | Standard | — | — | Standard |
| Alloy Wheel Package $600 | — | — | Optional | — | — | — | — |
| SUBARU STARLINK 7.0-inch Multimedia Navigation + Harman Kardon Audio | — | — | — | Optional | — | — | — |
| SUBARU STARLINK 7.0-inch Multimedia Navigation + Harman Kardon Audio + EyeSight + LED Steering Responsive Headlights with High Beam Assist + Reverse Automatic Braking | — | Standard | — | Optional | — | — | Standard |
| All-Weather Package + EyeSight + Blind-Spot Detection + Rear Cross-Traffic Alert + Power Rear Gate | — | — | — | — | Optional | — | — |
| Welcome Lighting + EyeSight + Blind-Spot Detection + Rear Cross-Traffic Alert + Power Rear Gate | — | — | — | — | Optional | — | — |
| Crystal Black Silica | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Crystal White Pearl | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Dark Gray Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ice Silver Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Jasmine Green Metallic | — | — | Optional | Optional | Optional | — | Optional |
| Quartz Blue Pearl | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | — | Optional |
| Sepia Bronze Metallic | — | Optional | — | — | — | — | Optional |
| Venetian Red Pearl | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | — | Optional |
| Black Cloth | — | — | Optional | — | Optional | — | — |
| Black Cloth with Sport Bolsters | Optional | — | — | — | — | Optional | — |
| Black Leather (2.5i Limited) | — | — | — | Optional | — | — | — |
| Black Leather (2.5i Touring) | — | Optional | — | — | — | — | Optional |
| Platinum Cloth | — | — | Optional | — | Optional | — | — |
| Platinum Leather | — | — | — | Optional | — | — | — |
| Saddle Brown Leather | — | Optional | — | — | — | — | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Collision warning | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | AWD | 26–35 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 33 | Standard | — |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | AWD | 26–35 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 106 | Standard | Yes |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 26–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 29 | Standard | Yes |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 26–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 74 | Standard | Yes |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 26–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 98 | Standard | Yes |
| 2021 | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 207 | Standard | Yes |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 600 | Standard | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 833 | Standard | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl manual available | AWD | 24–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 496 | Optional | No |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl manual available | AWD | 24–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 586 | Optional | No |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl manual available | AWD | 25–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 415 | Optional | No |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl manual available | AWD | 25–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 614 | Optional | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA and aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so compare years of the same model: a tall bar marks a year owners had more trouble with. Collision warning: forward collision warning as NHTSA lists it ("Some versions": standard on some). Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Apple lists CarPlay for: Forester 2019–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | SUBARU FORESTER HYBRID SUV HEV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 0 |
| 2026 | SUBARU FORESTER SUV N/A AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 22 |
| 2026 | SUBARU FORESTER WILDERNESS SUV N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 11 |
| 2025 | SUBARU FORESTER SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 95 |
| 2025 | SUBARU FORESTER HYBRID SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | Subaru Forester Wilderness SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 11 |
| 2024 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 29 |
| 2024 | Subaru Forester Wilderness SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 29 |
| 2023 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 73 |
| 2023 | Subaru Forester Wilderness SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 98 |
| 2021 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 207 |
| 2020 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 600 |
| 2019 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 833 |
| 2018 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 496 |
| 2017 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 586 |
| 2016 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 415 |
| 2015 | Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 614 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2026 | Forester Hybrid AWD | Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 35 |
| 2026 | Forester Sport/Touring AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 28 |
| 2026 | Forester Wilderness AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 26 |
| 2025 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2025 | Forester Hybrid AWD | Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 35 |
| 2025 | Forester Sport/Touring AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 28 |
| 2025 | Forester Wilderness AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 26 |
| 2024 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2024 | Forester Wilderness AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 26 |
| 2023 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2023 | Forester Wilderness AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 26 |
| 2022 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2022 | Forester Wilderness AWD | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 26 |
| 2021 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2020 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2019 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2018 | Forester AWD | Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
24–28 |
| 2017 | Forester AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
24–28 |
| 2016 | Forester AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
25–27 |
| 2015 | Forester AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
25–27 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.