2018 Subaru Forester vs. 2018 Acura RDX
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 Subaru Forester and 2018 Acura RDX contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2018 Subaru Forester and the 2018 Acura RDX.
When comparing the 2018 Subaru Forester's and the 2018 Acura RDX's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The 2018 Acura RDX has the advantage in the areas of reliability and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Subaru Forester's and the 2018 Acura RDX's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Subaru Forester is a better car than the 2018 Acura RDX.
Pricing: A used 2018 Subaru Forester ranges from $14,292 to $25,000 while a used 2018 Acura RDX is priced between $16,995 to $27,891.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2018 Subaru Forester loses 34.5 percent of its value and the 2018 Acura RDX loses 46.4 percent of its value. This means the 2018 Subaru Forester retains 11.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2018 Acura RDX.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Forester is 8.6 out of 10 while the Acura RDX's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Forester being ranked 6 out of 19 Best Small SUVs and the Acura RDX being ranked 2 out of 29 Best Luxury Small SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Forester is 8.3 out of 10. For the Acura RDX the reliability rating is 8.5 out of 10. This gives the Acura RDX a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru Forester.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2018 Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 170 horsepower, and the 2018 Acura RDX base engine makes 279 horsepower. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 445 miles. The RDX is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 448 miles.This gives the 2018 Subaru Forester the advantage in fuel efficiency and the 2018 Acura RDX the advantage in maximum range. The Forester uses regular unleaded, and the RDX uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/compact SUVs, the 2018 Subaru Forester has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The 2018 Acura RDX has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2018 Subaru Forester and the 2018 Acura RDX have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,795
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$24,370
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$22,550 - $27,895
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$36,000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$41,146
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$33,355 - $54,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$19,907
Price Range:
$14,292 - $25,000
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$18,697
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$15,309 - $27,261
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
633
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
83,872
# Good or Great Deals:
245
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,477
Price Range:
$16,995 - $27,891
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$24,585
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$20,268 - $35,179
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
197
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
76,026
# Good or Great Deals:
72
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Acura RDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Subaru Forester
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
4.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
3.8 - 7.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Acura RDX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
4.7 - 7.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
35.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.9 - 13
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
1 - 22.9
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 14Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 59Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
49 out of / 67Acura RDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
7 out of / 68Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 27Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 59Ranking
18 out of / 68Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 68Ranking
38 out of / 68Ranking
45 out of / 68Ranking
50 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2018 Subaru Forester Trim Levels
2.0XT Premium, 2.0XT Touring, 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Premium Black Edition, 2.5i Touring
2018 Acura RDX Trim Levels
Base, w/AcuraWatch, w/Advance, w/Tech, w/Tech w/AcuraWatch
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
174 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
279 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
252 foot-lbs @ 4900 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.075 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
1500 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
350 / 445 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
320 / 448 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
34.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
142.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Cargo Space:
26.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
61.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
129.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3322 lbs
Width:
80.5 inches
Height:
66.4 inches
Length:
181.5 inches
Wheelbase:
103.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3737 lbs
Width:
73.7 inches
Height:
65 inches
Length:
184.4 inches
Wheelbase:
105.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Quartz Blue Pearl
Gray
Dark Gray Metallic
Green
Jasmine Green Metallic
Red
Venetian Red Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Brown
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Modern Steel Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Basque Red Pearl II
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
White Diamond Pearl
Brown
Kona Coffee Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Gray
Graystone
Beige
Parchment
