2018 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
Review Summary
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I owned a 2003 Toyota Highlander that I purchased new that had a little over 100,000 miles on it. I had been wanting to replace it for a while if only to get something that gets better gas mileage and because I don't need something as large as the Highlander. I started looking at Hybrids and EVs, but at 6'5" tall I didn't feel comfortable in any of the ones that I tried. I also need to carry a tuba or 2 in my car, so I need something with a decent sized cargo space. Based on this I decided to check out all of the new smaller crossover SUVs. I tried out the Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and the Subaru Forester and outback. My wife bought a 2013 CR-V last year, so I had already driven that quite a bit and was seriously considering getting another. Then I drove the Forester. Of all of these the Forester far and away had the best driving position for my size. It also had to be something that my wife (5'3") would also be comfortable driving. With the power seat in the Forester she could adjust the driver's position to a perfect height for her. I didn't like the visibility in the Nissan and Mazda. It felt like the roof-line was too low for me, even with their seats all the way down. I liked the RAV, but not as much as the Subaru, while the Ford felt cramped to me. Now that I have had it for a week or so and have driven it over 400 miles I still think it was the best choice for me. I decided to get the 2.5i Touring model. I initially considered the premium, but I wanted some of the features that were only available in the touring trim level. From a practical perspective I don't think that the Touring is worth the difference in price for what you get vs. the Premium, although I think it is worth it vs. the Limited. For the extra money I got the Navigation system, which isn't as bad as some have indicated in the reviews. The touch screen buttons for the radio portion of the entertainment system are a little small, but it seems to work fine. It also adds leather seating, dual automatic climate control, power back lift gate, and the X-Drive mode, which I haven't had a chance to try out yet, plus a few other bells and whistles. None of these are things that I couldn't live without, but they are nice to have. It isn't the plushest of fanciest car in features of finishes, but everything works well for what I need. We tried a 2013 Forester last year when my wife got her CR-V and it felt much cheaper and was significantly less comfortable and had worse visibility. The 2014 seems like a major improvement over last year's model. So far I have no complaints about noise or ride. Some have said that the right is very rough, but to me it just feels like a little more road feel rather than being rough. I also don't find it noisy at all compared to my Highlander. I have averaged 28.8 MPG so far on one and a half tanks of gas, driven about 60% highway, 40% local roads. I expect to get very close to the EPA estimates in my normal driving based on my experience so far. Another thing that sold this car for me was the visibility. The large windows all around give me what feels like a commanding view of the road. I find it significantly better than on my wife's CR-V, especially out the sides towards the back and out the rear window. Overall, I haven't seen any cars this year that I would prefer for my specific needs.
VS
Critical Review
I own this car and would not buy it again, I owned a 2011, it had oil consumption problems that took 6 months to get help with and then on the freeway my catalytic converter blew out from too much oil build up! They convinced me that the 2014 was the way to go and I would not have this problem again, well yesterday my low engine oil light came on(I change my oil as recommended by Subaru) and I was a quart low! Here we go again. Oh and by the way Subaru says burning that much oil is normal.
2018 Forester Reviews
Showing 8 of 324 reviews.
All I wanted was a basic idea of what the car was worth. I get a whole lot of questions, and do I want a new vehicle; and no idea of what even a ballpark figure of what the car might be worth!!!
Easy to work on for DIYers
A/C is wanting
Bought my 2016 Forester new and got about $4k off the sticker price. I maintain it very well and do the work myself. I’ve had to replace the shift safety interlock mechanism at around 80k miles, due to occasionally being unable remove the key from the ignition; replaced rear wheel hub at 130k miles; replaced infotainment head (radio) at about 100k miles. Biggest disappointment is the mediocre a/c that doesn’t blow very cold when it is really hot outside. It’s a very easy car to work on and maintain. New cars today are way overpriced, and I dislike the over abundance of angst inducing “safety” features so I’m going to keep my Forester and swap out the engine and trans. with salvage yard replacements when my engine and trans. give up the ghost.
Bought my "Pearl" '17 Subaru Forester used in 2020 or 21. The best things about it, hands down, were the great visibility from the big windows, high safety rating, ground clearance and rear passenger legroom + cargo space. It got decent gas mileage for mostly in-town driving. On the highway it had lousy road noise, so backseat passengers can't follow a conversation happening in front. I would have kept it until the wheels fell off, but the onboard computer started going haywire and the replacement cost was hefty for an 8 yo vehicle. Aside from road noise, my main complaints were the awful infotainment interface and tiny (useless) backup camera screen. So last November I decided to upgrade to the quieter, hybrid '21 Toyota Venza.
Just spent $2000 plus for regular service 50k miles and new tires. Excellent car runs like a top! I’m considering buying a new one! It has multiple safety features all current with 2018
Great in all weather I believe this car did better in the snow then my jeep did.
Seats could be more comfortable
This is a reliable car. Repairs on it are costly. I have a two thousand sixteen my clockspring for my horn went out, Less entry went out in vehicle, Three hub bearings went out, Cam bearing seal, leaks, cv axle seals need replacement, Most of these are maintenance items that need replacement, but they are costly. Nothing on this car is cheap to repair
AWD, seats 5, large cargo area, HEATED SEATS!, MIN 25 mpg, safety ratings excellent
Seats could be more comfortable, but not bad
This is our 2nd Subaru Forester. We bought a 2012 for our daughters first car and have been nothing but pleased! We decided we liked hers so much we bought a 2nd one as a family runaround car. The 2014 has a couple of upgrades but the main standout is better sound system and backup camera. Bot have the timing chain vs belt. The 2014 gets a little better fuel economy we are getting about 25.8mpg average, but it is noticeably better when we don't have such cold weather and don't have to defrost before driving. These subaru awds are like driving snowmobiles in heavy snow! With the better ground clearance of these foresters, a 6 in dump of snow is no obstacle! This 2014 has 186k mi and is running like a new car! Steering is great, engine quiet and fuel efficient, everything works great! We just love it and would purchase again in a heartbeat!
Excellent gas mileage
This car gets excellent mileage, lots of good features. Comfortable ride.
Cant think of one honestly
Everything .... just everything sucked
I will never own a Subaru after this car. I have had to replace/fix/ touch pretty much every part of this car in the last 3 years ive owned it. New engine, rebuilt tranny, catalytic converter starting to go, exhaust work, numerous breaks, wheel bearings, ti-rods, new front suspension, ac issues, heated seat issues. Previous owner (im the second) decided to install their own remote starter and it sent fault signals through my car and shut parts of it down until I got it removed. Burning oil like crazy even after new engine and tranny rebuild. ITS THE WORST! Honestly save yourself a lot of trouble, money, and anxiety and buy anything else. No one could pay me to own a Subaru again. I'm sure I have numerous friends who will never buy a Subaru now after seeing everything that I have gone through with my car.
