The 2018 Subaru Forester is a mainstream compact SUV that slots above the compact Subaru Crosstrek and below the mid-size Subaru Ascent within the brand’s crossover lineup. As with most Subaru models, all-wheel-drive comes standard on the Forester. A comfortable driving position and plenty of interior room make the Forester a practical choice, however it has a harsher ride than some other vehicles in its segment, like the Nissan Rogue. Prices start from an MSRP of $22,795.
Pros: Standard All-Wheel-Drive, Good Visibility, Cabin Space, Available Manual Transmission
Cons: Out-Styled By Competition, Ride Comfort & Road Noise
Looks Best In: Jasmine Green exterior/Platinum interior
Competition: Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5
Safety Score: The 2018 Subaru Forester was awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick distinction.
Summary: The 2018 Subaru Forester is a purposeful SUV with a roomy interior. Although unfussy, the Forester’s design both inside and out looks dated and lacks the upscale design and tactility of some competitors. Likewise, some competitors do a better job of keeping road noise to a minimum and have suspensions that do a better job of ironing out bumps.
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[Images: Subaru]