Subaru has a well-deserved reputation for producing highly practical, yet surprisingly comfortable and stylish vehicles and the 2018 Subaru Forester in Covington, LA is certainly no exception to the rule. Like nearly all of Subaru's vehicles, it comes with standard all-wheel drive, but that's not all that sets it apart from the competition. Its high ground clearance and powerful engine contribute significantly to the Forester's ongoing popularity as a compact SUV.
What's New for 2018?
The Forester itself has already become a top competitor in the compact SUV segment, but that doesn't mean the automaker is resting on its laurels for 2018. Changes to this year's lineup include the addition of a new Black Edition trim package for the 2.5i, several upgrades to the 2.0XT Touring trim level, and several additions to the company's already quite comprehensive EyeSight suite of advanced safety and driver assist features. That's not all that's new, though; readers can discover more about these and other new offerings below.
Engine Options
Drivers have a few options when it comes to power. These include a 170 horsepower 2.5L flat-four offering 174 pounds per foot of torque, which comes standard on most trim levels and can be paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission, and a 250 horsepower 2.0L turbo-four offering 258 pounds per foot of torque. Those who opt for the 2.0L should note that this optional powertrain can only be paired with the continuously variable transmission.
Safety Features
The 2018 Subaru Forester in Covington, LA has a lot to live up to as far as safety goes, given that Subaru is known for producing family-friendly vehicles with impressive passive and active safety features. Thankfully, it manages not just to live up to Subaru enthusiasts' standards, but to surpass them. The NHTSA offered the 2018 Forester its highest overall safety rating, while the IIHS ranked the Forester a Top Safety Pick+, also the highest possible designation.
While safety comes standard with any Subaru, the Forester also offers drivers the chance to upgrade to the automaker's optional EyeSight suite of advanced safety and driver assist features. This year, the suite includes an impressive emergency automatic braking system, lane departure warnings and lane keep assist, sway warnings, and adaptive cruise control.
Trim Levels and Features
The 2018 Forester comes in six available trim levels: the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 2.0XT Premium, and 2.0XT Touring. The difference between the 2.5i models and the 2.0XT models is the engine: while 2.5i models come with the base-level 2.5L engine, XT models get an upgrade to the more powerful 2.0L turbo. In addition to offering six different trim levels, Subaru has also made several options packages available that can help to bridge the gaps between them.
The base level 2.5i comes standard with cloth upholstery, an adjustable driver's seat, Bluetooth compatibility and smartphone integration, a 6.2-inch touchscreen with the automaker's popular StarLink technology interface, an information display, and a four-speaker sound system. The option package for the base level 2.5i is referred to as the Alloy Wheel package, but it also comes with roof rails and automatic front windows in addition to its namesake alloy wheels.
The 2.5i Premium trim models come standard with these optional features, plus a power driver seat, reclining rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, a six-speaker sound system complete with a satellite radio, and upgrades to the vehicle's technology system. These include a larger, 7.0-inch touch screen, voice commands, and the addition of Safety Plus telematics such as emergency assistance, automatic collision notifications, and other remote services. The 2.5i Premium's All-Weather options package also adds heated front seats and side mirrors and two different versions of the EyeSight safety package, although these are only available on manual transmission models.
The 2.5i Premium Black Edition makes the All-Weather package standard and adds off-road traction, hill descent control, and automatic headlights. The 2.5i Limited comes with even more advanced standard features such as power liftgates, blind-spot monitoring, and an upgraded information display. The line-topping 2.5i Touring features luxurious touches like heated steering wheels, driver-seat memory settings, dual-zone automatic climate control, and optional perforated leather upholstery.
Take One Out for a Test Drive Today
The best way for drivers to decide if they want to buy or lease a 2018 Subaru Forester in Covington, LA is to head to our dealership to take one for a test drive. After all, this vehicle lineup's comfort, impressive handling, and stylish design really speak for themselves. However, customers can also call (888) 486-3576 with any questions to get started finding the right Forester to meet their families' unique needs today.
