DecodedCars2018 Subaru Forester
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 2.0xt, 4dr SUV 2.5i
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 170–250 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 26 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- 181.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,303–3,635 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 21% better than the average 2018 small SUV (23.2 MPG).
- Strong performanceUp to 250 hp, versus about 187 hp for similar 2018 models.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 181 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,635 lb (4dr SUV 2.0xt).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (26 city / 32 highway), 21% better than the 2018 small SUV average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 498 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.
What changed for 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Forester →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Ota, Gunma
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Forester configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 2.0xt | 181.1 in | 70.9 in | 68.5 in | 103.9 in | 61 / 61 in | 3,635 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV 2.5i | 181.1 in | 70.9 in | 68.5 in | 103.9 in | 61 / 61 in | 3,303 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 32 / 28 | +21% | $2,400 | 315 |
| Forester AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 27 / 25 | +8% | $3,300 | 359 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | +3% | $2,800 | 368 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
Similar 2018 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Forester (this car) | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda CR-V | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Hyundai Tucson | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 14 |
Recalls (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jul 29, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Oct 3, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V701000 · 366,282 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jul 10, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V455000 · 3,654 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2018 Subaru Forester is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Subaru Forester buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility/Wiper — 135 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Air Bags — 98 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 69 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 16,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Forester. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Forester years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 32 |
| 2025 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 99 |
| 2024 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2023 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 74 |
| 2022 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 100 |
| 2021 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 212 |
| 2020 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 603 |
| 2019 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 834 |
| 2017 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 592 |
| 2016 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 416 |
| 2015 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 608 |
| 2014 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 364 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →