2018 or 2019?

Thanks for your interest my friend but did you not see the other thread about the exact same thing? We need to limit threads that discuss the exact same topic to keep the forum clean and efficient and eliminate the duplicates. Please refer yourself to the other thread and repost your question.

To give you a quick answer, the 2019 is FAR more comfortable than the 17-18 models. The infotainment is amazing and includes CarPlay and Android Auto as well so far better technology in the 19 too.

Thank you!

https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f151/2017-2018-2019-forester-787691/

i agreed this is a very simple question and has been discussed at length. Google is your friend. The 2019 is better in all areas without a doubt. The only advantage to the 2018 is if you want the turbo.

Siouxbie said:

i The only advantage to the 2018 is if you want the turbo.

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Or a manual transmission, or a model year that already has the bugs worked out.

So far...so good and haven't found any "bugs" in my 19 Sport but agree on the manual tranny or a turbo. I am extremely happy with the 19 and would certainly do it again in a heartbeat.

ForesterBill said:

Or a manual transmission, or a model year that already has the bugs worked out.

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I guessing less than a 1% chance they want a manual. You are also working on the assumption of bugs, but not actual results. If it performs as built and intended it will be better in all areas other than hp.

securityguy said:

Thanks for your interest my friend but did you not see the other thread about the exact same thing? We need to limit threads that discuss the exact same topic to keep the forum clean and efficient and eliminate the duplicates. Please refer yourself to the other thread and repost your question.

To give you a quick answer, the 2019 is FAR more comfortable than the 17-18 models. The infotainment is amazing and includes CarPlay and Android Auto as well so far better technology in the 19 too.

Thank you!

https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f151/2017-2018-2019-forester-787691/

Click to expand...

"Far" more comfortable and "Far" better tech?

The seats are not far better. I've been in 2019 top trim. The seats are still terrible. My biggest gripe about Foresters.

Would I like to have CarPlay? Of course, but tech isn't "far" better IMO.

I still think the fact a 2019 fully loaded is basically the same price as 2018 XT....is ridiculous ... based on what you get

Really, the only question is, XT or no XT? If you don't care, than I would say that the 2019 or even a 2020 (if you are willing to wait) is your best bet. If you want a Turbo, than 2018 is it.

hoshie said:

"Far" more comfortable and "Far" better tech?

The seats are not far better. I've been in 2019 top trim. The seats are still terrible. My biggest gripe about Foresters.

Would I like to have CarPlay? Of course, but tech isn't "far" better IMO.

I still think the fact a 2019 fully loaded is basically the same price as 2018 XT....is ridiculous ... based on what you get

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hoshie, I am learning something from you from reading your posts...you are one dude that no one will ever win an argument against. You battle every post. It's clear you are a big fan of the 2018 and not the 2019. That's ok and your opinion as well. After having driven a 17 XT-Touring for 2 years, my opinion is that the seats in the 19 are FAR better as is the technology and we aren't just talking CarPlay...the entire head unit is superior in every way. No doubt you'll want the last word on the subject because you are who you are:wink2:

securityguy said:

hoshie, I am learning something from you from reading your posts...you are one dude that no one will ever win an argument against. You battle every post. It's clear you are a big fan of the 2018 and not the 2019. That's ok and your opinion as well. After having driven a 17 XT-Touring for 2 years, my opinion is that the seats in the 19 are FAR better as is the technology and we aren't just talking CarPlay...the entire head unit is superior in every way. No doubt you'll want the last word on the subject because you are who you are:wink2:

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People who bring up the last word are the ones who want it.

I'm giving my opinion. The seats have not dramatically changed. They lack bolstering and the seat continues to be short.

The seats suck in 2018....as they do in 2019.

My interest in the 19 faded today when I found the bolt pattern has changed, I have accumulated 8 spare rims and tires. Winter tires on 18x8 rims and a set of new takeoffs from an XT

Take it for what you want, but seat comfort is highly dependent on the person. Some people like softer more cushion, some people like firmer, some like more bolster, some less, some people like the seats to extend further out, lower lumbar support, etc. It is like bed mattresses, no one type will satisfy everyone's body type, height, weight, etc.

I wouldn't put a lot of stock into others saying a seat is really uncomfortable or very comfortable. You are going to need to try it yourself on a longer drive.

A friend said the 18 Forester seats were a little firm for their liking. They bought a costco neoprene seat cover for $20 and one of those air inflatable sleeping pads for camping from REI, stuck it under the coscto neoprene seat cover so it doesn't move around and now says this is the most comfortable seat they have ever sat in.

I think seat comfort has to do with age and height. I find the '17/'18 Forester seats plenty comfortable. But, I really like what they did in the Ascent, so, if the '19 Forester is anything like that, I think a lot of people might be okay with the new seats.

Adding just one data point, I have to say the seats in the 2019 Forester Touring I recently purchased are a good improvement over the 2016 Touring model I had previously. Personally, I’d prefer a little additional side bolstering. I’m 5’8”, and the seat length works just fine for me.

IMO, the most comfortable seats I’ve found (for me, anyway) are the sport seats installed in BMW products. Then again, maybe it’s just a good matchup between their seats and my backside.

Seat comfort, like any comfort, is highly subjective.... like bed mattresses.

Thanks. It really does not seem to me that the 2019 is all that. Heard some have issues getting Android Auto to work properly.

I am starting to find it very interesting that those posting are now starting to bash the 2019. This thread wasn't created for those with 2017-18 Foresters to bad mouth a vehicle they don't even own. "Heard some have issues getting Android Auto to work properly"...REALLY??? How about if we keep posts to factual things versus heresy. There will always be subjective items like "seat comfort" but for those that don't own one, unless you have something productive to add why bother posting.....

Siouxbie said:

i agreed this is a very simple question and has been discussed at length. Google is your friend. The 2019 is better in all areas without a doubt. The only advantage to the 2018 is if you want the turbo.

Click to expand...

2018's are less expensive with low or zero interest rates. One has to decide if the few tech upgrades are something you will actually use or not. I too have spare rims with winter tires mounted which is money saving.

I hope you guys love your 19s as much I love my 18xt.

In the end that is all that matters

Please don't lose sight of the fact that the 2019 is nothing like the 2018. It is built on a totally different, upgraded Global Platform which effects suspension, stiffness, quietness, crash worthiness and handling. The tech upgrades are a benefit (and a big one at that as the headunit is night and day different) but you are not comparing apples to apples like you would be if you were comparing a 2017 to a 2018 as they are built on the same platform and no different from one another.

If you want 0% financing and, possibly, a cheaper overall cost with the 19's being new to the market, and wheel bolt patterns that line up with a prior years Foz then these are totally different issues in themselves.

Well, there are some similarities