Subaru just upgraded the refreshed 2018 Forester with a new 2.5i Black Edition package, and price increases on all trims are announced. The Forester SUV also gets new safety features and the 2.0XT sports-tuned model gets a WRX STI feature for the first time.
Subaru has announced pricing on the 2018 Forester and most models get small price increases. The brand’s best-selling model for now, 2018 2.5i 6MT Forester has a starting price of $22,795 (+$200). The 2.5i Premium 6MT starts at $25,695 (+$200), 2.5i Limited: $29,395 (+$200), 2.5i Touring: $33,090 (+$1,795), 2.0XT Premium: $29,495 (+$200), and 2.0XT Touring: $36,090 (+$1,795). Prices do not include destination ($915).
New Black Edition package
The new Black Edition is the biggest news for 2018 and the package will add $1,150 to the 2.5i Premium CVT ($26,195) trim and comes with a number of sporty features. Consumers can get it in four exterior colors: Crystal Black Silica, Dark Gray Metallic, Crystal White Pearl and Ice Silver Metallic.
Outside, the new package will feature 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. New LED Steering Responsive Headlights are also included as standard.
Inside, the Black Edition will come with steering wheel paddle shifters previously available only on XT turbo models that control a 6-speed manual mode. It comes with special black cloth upholstery seats with simulated leather bolsters, and silver metallic and black gloss finish center dash panel.
A leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter come highlighted with silver stitching and the interior door handles have a chrome finish. The All-Weather Package, rear cargo tray and Welcome Lighting are also standard with the new package. Black Edition also comes standard with X-Mode and Hill Descent Control.
What’s new for 2018 Forester
The Subaru Forester gets a refresh for 2018 with front and rear styling updates that reflect the brands design language also seen on the new 2018 Outback wagon and Legacy sedan. Other upgrades on the refreshed Forester include Active Torque Vectoring, first introduced on the WRX and WRX STI performance models, now comes standard on all 2.0XT Touring models. Touring models now feature EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard, and EyeSight-equipped models gain High Beam Assist and Reverse Auto Braking for 2018.
Newly-refreshed 2018 Subaru Foresters along with the new 2.5i Black Edition will arrive in U.S. showrooms starting Summer 2017. Small SUV buyers may want to wait until next year when Forester will get a complete remodel and it will ride on the new Global Platform.
Photo credit: Subaru