Special "Black Edition" debuts for 2018...

A new Forester 2.5i Black Edition package is an upgrade from the 2.5i Premium, with Lineartronic® CVT featuring paddle shifters previously available only on turbo models that control a 6-speed manual mode. The package also comes standard with X-Mode and Hill Descent Control and LED Steering Responsive Headlights. The Black Edition rides on 18-inch black alloy wheels; fog lights with black accent trim; black finish exterior badges and mirrors; and a front grille with blacked-out wing motif and chrome frame. The package is offered on 4 exterior colors: Crystal Black Silica, Dark Gray Metallic, Crystal White Pearl and Ice Silver Metallic. The exclusive black cloth upholstery seats with simulated leather bolsters are complimented by a silver metallic and black gloss finish center dash panel. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift handle are highlighted with silver stitching and the interior door handles have a chrome finish. All-Weather Package, rear cargo tray and Welcome Lighting all come standard with the Black Edition. The 2.5i Forester Black Edition is available exclusively on Premium trim as a $1,150 option package.



 
Planet-exclusive Subaru Forester gallery.  Click to enlarge.




 


Overview

The 2018 Forester is on sale now at Planet Subaru.

Subaru introduced this generation of Forester in 2014, when it won the Motor Trend Sport Utility of the Year Award.  The 2018 Forester represents the fifth and final year of this generation before you'll see an all-new 2019 Forester.  Subaru typically builds its volume products on a five-year product cycle.  Rather predictably, Subaru undertakes its mid-cycle refresh in the fourth year, which was the 2017 model.  Humorously known as the BMC or "big minor change," last year's significant fourth-year update introduced a visual "facelift" and updated some mechanicals. 


In this fifth model year, Subaru's engineers are busy creating the all-new next generation of Foresters, so there will be very few changes in the final model year of this generation.  Fortunately, Subaru has kept the car fresh and updated throughout this product cycle so you'll love your new Forester no matter which model year you buy. 

Highlights of changes for 2018:

  • New 2.5i Forester Black Edition Package added to line-up
  • Active Torque Vectoring now standard on 2.0XT Touring
  • Touring Models feature EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology as standard
  • EyeSight®-equipped models gain High Beam Assist and Reverse Auto Braking



Take a deep dive into the 2018 Forester:

The 2018 Forester 2.5i is available in standard, Premium, Limited and Touring trims and is powered by a 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder BOXER engine. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard for the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium, with optional Lineartronic® CVT. The Forester 2.0XT is available in Premium and Touring trims and powered by a 250-hp 2.0-liter intercooled, turbocharged 4-cylinder BOXER engine. All Forester models come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Subaru has continued advancing the outstanding features of this model line with safety, comfort, durability and drivability as the top priorities. Currently the brand's best-selling model, the well-equipped 2018 Forester has a starting price of $22,795.

The stylish front bumper cover and hexagonal grille of the Forester are accentuated by Subaru's signature C-shaped headlight design with black inner bezel, while the rear combination lights also feature a prominent C shape with LED illumination. Combined, these styling and lighting elements provide excellent forward visibility along with a more robust and distinctive look.

The nicely appointed 2018 Forester 2.5i Premium has a starting price of $25,695. In addition to a panoramic power moonroof, Premium trim features include 17-inch alloy wheels, X- Mode with Hill Descent Control on CVT models, automatic HVAC controls, body color rear roof spoiler and a 10-way power driver's seat. A power rear gate with auto close and height memory is available on Premium Foresters equipped with EyeSight®.

A new Forester 2.5i Black Edition package is an upgrade from the 2.5i Premium, with Lineartronic® CVT featuring paddle shifters previously available only on turbo models that control a 6-speed manual mode. The package also comes standard with X-Mode and Hill Descent Control and LED Steering Responsive Headlights. The Black Edition rides on 18-inch black alloy wheels; fog lights with black accent trim; black finish exterior badges and mirrors; and a front grille with blacked-out wing motif and chrome frame. The package is offered on 4 exterior colors: Crystal Black Silica, Dark Gray Metallic, Crystal White Pearl and Ice Silver Metallic. The exclusive black cloth upholstery seats with simulated leather bolsters are complimented by a silver metallic and black gloss finish center dash panel. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift handle are highlighted with silver stitching and the interior door handles have a chrome finish. All-Weather Package, rear cargo tray and Welcome Lighting all come standard with the Black Edition. The 2.5i Forester Black Edition is available exclusively on Premium trim as a $1,150 option package.

Limited trim upgrades to silver metallic with gloss black finish center dash panel trim and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever handle. Perforated leather-trimmed upholstery and a 10-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support are also included with this trim level. Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are standard features on the Limited along with Welcome Lighting. EyeSight®-equipped models include High Beam Assist, LED Steering Responsive Headlights, Automatic Low & High Beam Height Adjustment and Reverse Auto Braking. A power rear gate with auto close and height memory is standard on the Limited. The 2018 Forester 2.5i Limited models begin at $29,395.

The top-of-the-line Touring models are distinguished by 18-inch alloy wheels, black with chrome trim side cladding and foldable, body colored exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals. Touring trims are available with Black or Saddle Brown interiors. 10-way power driver's seat with two-position memory (includes power lumbar support), as well as Keyless Access with Push-Button Start and heated steering wheel. Active Torque Vectoring, first introduced on the WRX® and WRX STI®, is now standard all 2.0XT Touring models. Reverse Automatic Braking and High Beam Assist headlights are included on Touring models. Forester Touring is priced from $33,090.

All Forester trim lines feature SUBARU STARLINK™ Multimedia systems that provide hands-free connectivity and entertainment services. The Forester 2.5i base model features the STARLINK 6.2" Multimedia system with a 6.2-inch single-touch gesture display and the Premium, Limited and Touring trims have a standard STARLINK 7.0" Multimedia Plus system with a high-resolution 7-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth® hands-free SMS text messaging, dual USB ports, and adds SiriusXM® All Access Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link®. The optional STARLINK 7.0" Multimedia Navigation system features voice-activated controls and comes with three years of complimentary map updates as well as a 3-year subscription to SiriusXM Traffic® and SiriusXM Travel Link® along with four months of SiriusXM All Access audio service.

Two SUBARU STARLINK connected services packages are available for 7.0" Multimedia Plus system and 7.0" Multimedia Navigation system and are among the most affordable in the industry. The STARLINK Safety Plus package, which is complimentary for the first year and $99 per year after that, includes SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Maintenance Notifications, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and Diagnostic Alerts. For even greater peace of mind, the STARLINK Safety Plus & Security Plus Package adds Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service, Vehicle Security Alarm Notification, Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Horn and Lights and Remote Vehicle Locator.
 

2018 FORESTER

Model/Trim

Transmission

Applicable Option Code

MSRP

MSRP + destination and delivery

2.5i

6MT

'01

$22,795

$23,710

2.5i

CVT

'01, '02

$23,795

$24,710

2.5i Premium

6MT

11

$25,695

$26,610

2.5i Premium

CVT

12, 13, 14, 15, 16

$26,195

$27,110

2.5i Limited

CVT

21, 22, 23

$29,395

$30,310

2.5i Touring

CVT

31, 32

$33,090

$34,005

2.0XT Premium

CVT

11

$29,495

$30,410

2.0XT Touring

CVT

31, 32

$36,090

$37,005

 

 

2018 FORESTER OPTION PACKAGES

 

CODE 01 Standard Model 2.5i

N/A

CODE 02 Alloy Wheel Package- includes 17-in. machine finished alloy wheels, roof rails and front passenger window Auto Up/Down

$600

CODE 11 Standard Model- 2.5i Premium 6MT or 2.0XT Premium CVT

N/A

CODE 12 Standard Model- 2.5i Premium CVT

N/A

CODE 13 All-Weather Package

$500

CODE 14 EyeSight®+ All- Weather Package + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert

$1,695

CODE 15 EyeSight® + All-Weather Package + Blind Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Power Rear Gate

$2,145

CODE 16 Black Edition

$1,150

CODE 21 Standard Model- 2.5i Limited

N/A

CODE 22 Navigation + Harman Kardon® Audio Amplifiers + Speakers

$1,350

CODE 23 EyeSight® + Navigation + Harman Kardon® Amplifiers + Speakers

$2,945

CODE 31 Standard Model- 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring (Black interior)

N/A

CODE 32 Standard Model- 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring (Saddle Brown interior)

N/A

 

Destination & Delivery is $915 and may vary in the following states: CT, HI, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT. D&D is $1,065 for dealers in Alaska.




Highlights of last year's changes to the 2017 model:
  • New front fascia, taillights, and wheels;
  • Modest tweaks to the interior with more upscale trim pieces;
  • Quieter cabin thanks to thicker door glass and more soundproofing at engine firewall and wheel wells;
  • More natural shift sensation by adding subtle "steps" in the continuously variable transmission;
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist, and Reverse Automatic Braking optional for the first time on Forester;
  • Improved, latest generation Eyesight with cameras that see farther and wider;
  • Revised steering ratios and suspension geometry for better handling.
  • Torque vectoring standard on XT Touring with Eyesight model.





 
Summary of the changes from the 2014-16 Forester to the 2017 and 2018 Forester:
 


Next generation of Subaru's award-winning driver assistance "Eyesight" system.
Known internally as Generation 3, it includes many enhancements, including smaller color cameras and radar technology.  This generation system was introduced on the 2015 Outback and Legacy.  Earlier Foresters rode with the second generation system. (The first generation was never offered in the United States). 














Eyesight cameras.










Also included in this latest Forester's Eyesight system are steering responsive headlights, lane keep assist, high beam assist, and reverse automatic braking.

More Driver Assist Technology
Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are now standard on all Forester Limited and Touring models (with or without Eyesight package).  See them in action on an Outback. 


Radar unit, shown here on an Outback with the bumper cover removed. 



Blind Spot Detection (BSD) uses radar to locate other vehicles and then illuminates a light in your outside mirrors when a vehicle occupies your blind spot.  Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) uses radar to warn you when backing up in a parking lot that a vehicle is headed your way.

Standard Engine remains but fuel economy improves. 
City economy on automatic transmission models goes up 2mpg.  Highway remains the same but combined rating goes up 1mpg.  


























170 hp standard engine:

Continuously variable
automatic transmission:
 26 city, 32 highway

Six-speed manual:
22 city, 29 highway

250hp turbo engine:

23 city, 28 highway
automatic trans only







Subaru improved fuel economy by revising the transmission.




Manual transmission continues to be available. 



















Subaru did away with a manual transmission option on the Outback in the United States with the 2015 model year, so the Forester is the largest Subaru with a handshake.






New Wheels. 
Black inserts look more upscale.




 
XT wheel








The new wheels are more aerodynamic, helping with fuel economy. 






Subtle interior changes
A heated steering wheel is now optional and Touring models now get driver side power seat memory.


















 







 







Overall cabin layout and size will remain the same, but trim pieces drive uptown in luxury territory.


2018 Forester pricing increased slightly. 
See current Forester pricing.
 
 Forester 2.5i (base model)


 




Forester Colors and Interiors
 






Subaru made big changes when it introduced the current Forester generation as a 2014 model.  Compare last generation to current generation.



Foresters through the years:   
 
2014 through 2018


Slightly larger inside and out than the generation it replaces, Subaru literally cannot build enough to satisfy demand as their factories are running extra shifts.  Introducing a continuously variable transmission lifted fuel economy to 32 mpg from 27.  Other new features include the Eyesight driver assistance system, power tailgate, and X-Mode traction control.  It's our best-looking Forester ever, and outward visibility remains tops in the industry.  






2009 through 2013





Prior Foresters felt a little cramped, but sales took off with this larger Forester, bigger than its predecessor in every dimension.  Subaru poured on the technology, with standard Vehicle Dynamics Control and six airbags.  Optional equipment included touchscreen navigation and Bluetooth.



2003 through 2008






Size remained the same, but Subaru modernized everything.  Side air bags became standard on every model, the interior moved upscale, ride quality improved, and appearance moved from utilitarian to stylish. 



1998 through 2002


Subaru created the Forester on the Impreza platform, installing a square body and bigger engine.  Along with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V (both introduced in 1997), Subaru pioneered the "Small Crossover" segment.  It combined the  ride height, style, and versatility of a truck-based SUV without the poor fuel economy and sloppy handling.



Forester Links:
  • See current pricing and trim levels.
  • Visit our Forester Center with pics and links.
  • Watch Nate's Three Favorite Things about the Forester. 
  • Watch a Forester pulling out of a glacier.
  • See our humanely-treated free-range Foresters.
  • Peruse a fancy dynamic Forester Brochure. 
  • Read about how Forester is one of top ten cars for shorter drivers.
  • See Forester's number one outward visibility ranking.


Search our inventory for your Forester
or place a factory order:


    



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If you live in the Boston area and want to know about the changes to the 2018 Forester, especially in tight urban areas such as Chelsea, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline, then the 2018 Forester from Planet Subaru makes great sense for you.