Fall Foliage Drives Near Plymouth Meeting, PA
As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, the parks, trails, and back roads around Plymouth Meeting transform into one of the best fall foliage destinations in the Philadelphia area. Pennsylvania has one of the longest and most varied fall foliage seasons in the country, and you don’t have to travel far to see it. Here’s a local guide to the best fall foliage drives near Plymouth Meeting, brought to you by John Kennedy Subaru.
Wissahickon Valley Park
Just a short drive from Plymouth Meeting, Wissahickon Valley Park is consistently ranked among the best places in the region to see fall color. The park spans 1,800 wooded acres across both Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties, with more than 50 miles of trails winding along Wissahickon Creek. The seven-mile Forbidden Drive is the easiest way to take it all in, leading to the Thomas Mill Covered Bridge, the last remaining covered bridge in Philadelphia and one of the park’s most photographed fall spots. Peak color typically arrives in the last week of October through the first two weeks of November.
Fort Washington State Park
Continuing north from the Wissahickon, Fort Washington State Park connects to the same forested corridor via the Wissahickon Trail, also known as the Green Ribbon Trail. It’s a great add-on stop for a longer fall drive, with wooded hiking paths and an easy-to-reach overlook that puts a wide sweep of Montgomery County’s fall color on display.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
A quick drive toward King of Prussia, Valley Forge National Historical Park pairs Revolutionary War history with some of the most photogenic fall scenery in the area. Its rolling fields and monuments are just as striking from behind the wheel as they are on foot, making it an easy loop to add to any fall day trip from Plymouth Meeting.
Evansburg State Park
A bit farther out near Skippack and Collegeville, Evansburg State Park offers a mix of forest trails and open meadows along Skippack Creek. It’s a quieter alternative to the more heavily trafficked Wissahickon, with plenty of picnicking spots to enjoy the season at a slower pace.
Green Lane Park
For a bigger day trip, Green Lane Park is the largest park in Montgomery County at 3,400 acres, with a trail network ranging from easy, flat walks to higher-elevation hikes with sweeping views. It’s one of the best spots in the county for both fall color and birdwatching in the same trip.
The Cross County Trail
For something closer to home, the Cross County Trail runs from Conshohocken directly into Plymouth Meeting as a spur off the Schuylkill River Trail, making it one of the most convenient fall color walks for anyone right in our own backyard.
The Best Way to Take In the Season
Whether you’re winding through the Wissahickon, looping Valley Forge, or heading out to Green Lane Park for the day, a fall foliage drive is a lot more enjoyable in a vehicle built for changing conditions. Every Subaru comes with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, so wet leaves on a shaded back road or an early frost won’t cut your foliage tour short.
Get Fall-Ready with a Subaru from John Kennedy Subaru
Whatever your route this fall, our team can help you find the right Subaru for the drive.
Browse New Subaru Inventory Schedule a Test Drive
Proudly Serving Plymouth Meeting and the Surrounding Communities
John Kennedy Subaru is a convenient stop for drivers throughout Montgomery County and the greater Philadelphia area heading out to enjoy the season. We’re proud to serve drivers from:
- Plymouth Meeting, PA
- Conshohocken, PA
- West Conshohocken, PA
- Norristown, PA
- East Norriton, PA
- West Norriton, PA
- King of Prussia, PA
- Blue Bell, PA
- Whitemarsh, PA
- Lafayette Hill, PA
- Ambler, PA
- Fort Washington, PA
- Ardmore, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
No matter which of these communities you call home, our Plymouth Meeting showroom is just a short drive away. Visit our homepage to learn more about financing, trade-ins, and current offers before you hit the road this fall.
Park hours, trail conditions, and seasonal offerings referenced above are subject to change. Please check with each destination directly for current hours and availability before visiting.
2026 Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot: Which Three-Row SUV Fits Your Family?
When it’s time to find a three-row SUV for the whole family, the Subaru Ascent and the Honda Pilot are two of the most cross-shopped names in the segment. Both offer seating for up to eight, strong towing capability, and genuinely useful family features. But they take different approaches to all-weather capability, power, and everyday practicality. Here’s a full breakdown from the team at John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting to help you decide which one truly fits your family.
Quick Comparison: 2026 Ascent vs. 2026 Pilot
- Starting MSRP — Ascent: $40,795 | Pilot: $42,395
- Standard Engine — Ascent: 2.4L Turbo Boxer, 260 hp / 277 lb-ft | Pilot: 3.5L V6, 285 hp / 262 lb-ft
- Drivetrain — Ascent: standard Symmetrical AWD on every single trim | Pilot: front-wheel drive standard, AWD optional on Sport/EX-L, standard only from TrailSport up
- Max Towing — Ascent: up to 5,000 lbs (every trim) | Pilot: up to 5,000 lbs with AWD, only 3,500 lbs with FWD
- Ground Clearance — Ascent: 8.7 inches | Pilot: up to 8.3 inches (TrailSport)
- Seating — Ascent: up to 8 passengers | Pilot: up to 8 passengers
- Max Cargo (rear seats folded) — Ascent: up to 75.6 cu ft | Pilot: up to 87–112 cu ft
- Standard Safety Suite — Ascent: EyeSight Driver Assist Technology | Pilot: Honda Sensing
All-Wheel Drive: The Ascent’s Biggest Advantage
This is the single most important difference between these two SUVs. Every 2026 Subaru Ascent comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, no exceptions and no upcharge, across all seven trims. The Honda Pilot, by contrast, starts as a front-wheel-drive SUV on its base Sport and EX-L trims, with AWD offered only as a paid option — and even then, FWD Pilot models are limited to 3,500 lbs of towing versus 5,000 lbs with AWD. For Plymouth Meeting and Montgomery County families who deal with real winter weather, that means every single Ascent on the lot is already built for the conditions, while Pilot shoppers have to make sure they’re looking at the right trim and drivetrain combination to get the same capability.
The Ascent also holds a ground clearance advantage at 8.7 inches, edging out even the Pilot’s off-road-focused TrailSport trim at 8.3 inches. Combined with standard X-MODE and Hill Descent Control, the Ascent is built to handle rougher terrain and worse weather right out of the box, on every trim — not just the priciest one.
Power and Towing
The Pilot’s 3.5L V6 does produce more horsepower on paper (285 hp vs. the Ascent’s 260 hp), and its smooth V6 character is a genuine strength. But the Ascent’s turbocharged boxer engine actually delivers more torque (277 lb-ft vs. 262 lb-ft), which translates to strong low-end pulling power for merging, passing, and towing. Both SUVs top out at a useful 5,000 lbs of towing capacity — but the Ascent reaches that number as standard equipment on every trim, while the Pilot only hits its full 5,000-lb rating once you’ve added AWD.
Space, Safety, and Family Features
Subaru positions the Ascent as offering more overall passenger space than several competitors in this class, and it comes standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, along with available features like DriverFocus distraction mitigation and Cabin Connect, which lets the driver talk to third-row passengers without turning around. The Pilot counters with a genuinely spacious cabin of its own, a new-for-2026 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a larger maximum cargo capacity when both rear rows are folded flat — a real advantage for families who occasionally need to haul more gear than passengers.
To Be Fair: Where the Pilot Holds Its Own
The Pilot isn’t without real strengths. Its 285-hp V6 is smooth and refined, its maximum cargo volume beats the Ascent’s by a wide margin, and its new 12.3-inch touchscreen is a meaningful upgrade for 2026. The TrailSport trim also offers genuine off-road-oriented hardware and second-row captain’s chairs for families who want a slightly different flavor of capability. If maximum cargo space and horsepower on paper matter most to you, the Pilot is a strong, well-rounded choice.
The Verdict
Both of these three-row SUVs are excellent choices for growing families. But for buyers who want standard all-wheel drive on every trim without paying extra, a higher ground clearance, and full towing capability regardless of which trim you choose, the 2026 Subaru Ascent comes out ahead. The Pilot remains a strong pick for families who prioritize maximum cargo room and V6 smoothness, but if all-weather confidence and standard capability across the entire lineup matter most, the Ascent is the stronger overall package.
See the 2026 Subaru Ascent for Yourself
Visit John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting to test drive the Ascent and see how it compares to the Pilot in person.
View Ascent Inventory Schedule a Test Drive
Proudly Serving Plymouth Meeting and the Surrounding Communities
John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting is a convenient stop for Ascent shoppers throughout Montgomery County and the greater Philadelphia area. We’re proud to serve drivers from:
- Plymouth Meeting, PA
- Norristown, PA
- East Norriton, PA
- West Norriton, PA
- Conshohocken, PA
- King of Prussia, PA
- Valley Forge, PA
- Blue Bell, PA
- Whitemarsh, PA
- Ardmore, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
No matter which of these communities you call home, our Plymouth Meeting showroom is just a short drive away. Browse our full new Subaru inventory or visit our homepage to learn more about financing, trade-ins, and current offers.
Pricing, specifications, and third-party data referenced above are current as of publication and sourced from Subaru.com, Honda.com, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, TrueCar, and Autoblog. Specs and pricing are subject to change by each manufacturer and may not include destination fees, taxes, title, or dealer charges. See John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting for current pricing, incentives, and availability.
Forester vs. CR-V vs. RAV4 | John Kennedy Subaru
2026 Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4: Which Compact SUV Wins?
The compact SUV segment is the most competitive corner of the car market, and three names come up again and again: the Subaru Forester, the Honda CR-V, and the Toyota RAV4. All three are reliable, practical, and well-reviewed. But they’re not identical, and the differences matter depending on how you actually drive. Here’s a full breakdown from the team at John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting to help you decide.
Quick Overview: 2026 Forester vs. CR-V vs. RAV4
- Subaru Forester — Starting at $29,995 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 180 hp (194 hp Hybrid) | Standard AWD on every trim
- Honda CR-V — Starting at $30,920 | 1.5L Turbo, 190 hp (204 hp Hybrid) | AWD optional on most trims
- Toyota RAV4 — Starting at $31,900 | 2.5L Hybrid, 226–236 hp | AWD optional on most trims
Where the Subaru Forester Stands Out
The single biggest difference between these three SUVs is all-wheel drive availability. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every Forester trim, no exceptions and no upcharge, while both the CR-V and RAV4 treat AWD as an option you have to pay extra for on most trims. For drivers in the Philadelphia area who deal with real winter weather, that’s a meaningful difference in year-round confidence.
The Forester also holds its value well. According to Subaru’s own data citing J.D. Power, the Forester was ranked #1 for projected resale value among compact SUVs. It also offers a dedicated Wilderness trim with 9.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and reinforced roof rails rated for rooftop tents — a level of built-in off-road capability neither competitor matches out of the box.
Where the Honda CR-V Stands Out
The CR-V’s calling card is interior space. Edmunds notes the CR-V offers class-leading cargo capacity, with up to 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 76.5 cubic feet with the seats folded — more than either the Forester or RAV4. Its hybrid powertrain is also efficient, with an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form, and Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability remains a strong draw for buyers who plan to keep a vehicle for many years.
Where the Toyota RAV4 Stands Out
The 2026 RAV4 was fully redesigned and now comes exclusively as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid — Toyota dropped the gas-only engine entirely. That means every RAV4 is quicker than before, with Autoblog reporting up to 236 hp on the standard hybrid and 324 hp on the plug-in hybrid, which also offers roughly 50 miles of electric-only range. For buyers who want the most power and the best fuel economy in this group without stepping up to a larger SUV, the RAV4 makes a strong case.
The Verdict
All three of these SUVs are excellent choices, and you won’t go wrong with any of them. But if standard all-wheel drive, proven resale value, and genuine off-road capability matter to you, the Subaru Forester is difficult to beat — especially since you get AWD on every single trim without paying extra for it. The CR-V is the pick if maximum cargo space is your top priority, and the RAV4 is the pick if you want the most horsepower and the longest hybrid range. Our team can help you compare all three side by side and find the right fit for how you actually drive.
See the Subaru Forester for Yourself
Visit John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting to test drive the Forester and see how it compares to the CR-V and RAV4 in person.Schedule Your Test Drive
Proudly Serving Plymouth Meeting and the Surrounding Communities
John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting is a convenient stop for Forester shoppers throughout Montgomery County and the greater Philadelphia area. We’re proud to serve drivers from:
- Plymouth Meeting, PA
- Conshohocken, PA
- West Conshohocken, PA
- Norristown, PA
- Blue Bell, PA
- Whitemarsh, PA
- Lafayette Hill, PA
- King of Prussia, PA
- Ambler, PA
- Fort Washington, PA
- Spring House, PA
- Villanova, PA
- Bala Cynwyd, PA
No matter which of these communities you call home, our Plymouth Meeting showroom is just a short drive away for test drives, trade-in appraisals, and financing help.
Pricing, specifications, and third-party data referenced above are current as of publication and sourced from manufacturer sites, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Autoblog. Specs and pricing are subject to change by each manufacturer. See John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting for current pricing, incentives, and availability.
John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting Supports Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia Donation Drive
John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting Supports Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia for the 4th Year
At John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting, giving back to our community is at the heart of everything we do. This week, our team proudly continued a meaningful tradition by participating in our 4th annual donation drive benefiting families at the Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia.
Making a Difference on Chestnut Street
On Monday, our team visited the Ronald McDonald House on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia to personally deliver nine boxes of blankets to families in need. Representing our dealership were:
- Emily Pattie, Sales Manager
- Chris Kolody, Service Manager
- Marcus Gallicio, Sales Representative
This annual effort continues to grow, and we are incredibly proud to support an organization that provides comfort and care to families during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Partnering with Blood Cancer United
We were also honored to meet with Joanna Brinton, Advancement Director at Blood Cancer United, who joined us during the donation. Partnering with organizations that are dedicated to supporting patients and families strengthens our ability to give back across the Greater Philadelphia community.
About Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia
The Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia plays a vital role in supporting families with seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Their mission is to provide a “home away from home”, allowing families to stay close to their children while they receive critical medical care.
Some of the incredible services they provide include:
- Comfortable lodging for families traveling far from home
- Meals and kitchen access to ease financial stress
- Emotional support and community spaces for connection
- Transportation assistance to nearby hospitals
- Family-centered programs and activities that bring comfort and joy
As the first Ronald McDonald House established in the world, the Philadelphia location has supported thousands of families, creating a compassionate and supportive environment when it matters most.
A Commitment to the Plymouth Meeting & Greater Philadelphia Community
At John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting, we are proud to serve drivers and families throughout Plymouth Meeting, Conshohocken, Norristown, Blue Bell, King of Prussia, Lansdale, and Philadelphia. Supporting our local community goes beyond automotive sales—it’s about building meaningful connections and making a positive impact.
Our continued participation in this donation drive reflects our commitment to giving back to the communities that support us every day.
Join Us in Supporting Local Families
We encourage our customers and community members to learn more about the incredible work being done by the Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia and consider getting involved. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, every effort helps support families in need.
From all of us at John Kennedy Subaru of Plymouth Meeting, thank you for being part of a community that cares.
Proudly serving Plymouth Meeting, Conshohocken, Norristown, Blue Bell, King of Prussia, Lansdale, and Philadelphia.
If you’re lucky enough to live in or around Plymouth Meeting, PA, you already know the area strikes a great balance between suburban convenience and natural beauty. One of the best perks? You’re never far from a scenic park where you can stretch your legs, explore local history, or just unwind for a bit. Whether you’re looking for wooded trails, open fields, or family-friendly spots, there are plenty of parks within a short drive that deliver something unique.
Below, we’re highlighting some of the best parks near Plymouth Meeting—all within about 30 minutes—so you can plan your next outdoor escape.
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The Subaru Sport vs Wilderness decision really boils down to one question: where do you actually drive? At John Kennedy Subaru, we help Plymouth Meeting buyers navigate this choice every day. Sport gives you aggressive styling and sharper handling, prioritizing pavement performance with occasional off-road capability. Wilderness brings serious trail credentials with increased ground clearance, protective armor, and all-terrain tires for those who consider dirt roads the main attraction.
Both share Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and EyeSight safety technology, but they differ dramatically in capability and purpose. Let’s dig into what separates these trims and help you figure out which one matches your driving reality.
Read the rest of this entry »What Is the Best Year for a Used Subaru Outback?
Shopping for a used Subaru Outback means navigating nearly 30 years of model variations, each with unique strengths and quirks. Some years shine for reliability while others pack modern safety tech at competitive prices. Understanding which years deliver the best value helps you avoid costly mistakes and find an Outback that fits your lifestyle perfectly.
Read the rest of this entry »Summer Activities around Montgomery County, PA
Summer in Montgomery County, PA is something special. When the weather heats up, the area comes alive with outdoor adventures, family-friendly attractions, and scenic spots perfect for soaking up the sunshine. Whether you’re looking to explore nature, cool off on the water, or enjoy a laid-back afternoon with friends, there’s no shortage of things to do just a short drive from home. The best part? You don’t need to travel far to experience it all—some of the region’s most memorable summer activities are right in your backyard. Let’s dive into some of the top spots that make summer in Montco unforgettable.
Read the rest of this entry »Subaru WRX Maintenance Schedule
Your Subaru WRX isn’t just transportation – it’s a finely tuned performance machine that demands proper care. We’ve worked with countless WRX owners here at John Kennedy Subaru in Plymouth Meeting, and we understand that keeping your turbocharged boxer engine running strong requires following the right maintenance schedule. Whether you’re pushing your WRX through spirited weekend drives or navigating Philadelphia traffic during your daily commute, understanding when and how to service your vehicle makes all the difference in preserving performance, protecting your warranty, and maximizing resale value.
Many WRX owners aren’t sure whether they should follow standard maintenance intervals or more aggressive schedules based on how they drive. This guide helps you understand exactly what your WRX needs and when, so you can make informed decisions about vehicle care and budget accordingly.
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Choosing the right Subaru Outback trim can feel overwhelming when you’re comparing similar-sounding packages. The difference between Premium and Limited Subaru Outback trims often comes down to how you prioritize comfort, technology, and budget. Both options deliver Subaru’s legendary all-wheel-drive capability and spacious versatility, but they cater to different lifestyles and preferences.
Understanding what separates these two popular trims helps you avoid paying for features you won’t use while ensuring you don’t miss out on conveniences that matter most during Pennsylvania winters and your daily commute.
Read the rest of this entry »Connect with us
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