Cabin filter Mann or Fram

I have been a fan of the Fram Freshbreeze or Pureflow filters. Not as good as the Bosch HEPA for other cars, but seem pretty good at least for filtering allergens and some particulates.

Cabin filter I swapped out for a MANN filter so I could enable Air Care.

As for the smell, I would replace your cabin air filter. Your old one might have picked up moisture or some organic material. And if you get an option for it I would spend the few extra dollars and get a charcoal lined one. I should help with future smells.

Can confirm I bought the CF11811 for my 2018 and it was the correct size!

In contract, I just bought a Mann filter for the cabin - and yes I know the difference between the engine and cabin filter - but the Mann did not have any such warning.

Engine/Cabin filter; DIY with mann filters, should be like $50 for both

I went with the Mann filter to get Polyphenol for mold and bacteria protection along with the carbon.

This Mann cabin air filter is probably the best one I’ve ever used. I could be behind a diesel truck and smell nothing but clean air.

Go to Part Source. Take your filter in and see if it matches the CF11819 FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter for $30 dollars. Note, some of the filters on Amazon do not have the same amount of pleats as the OEM or the FRAM.

The aftermarket ones like Fram with charcoal have noticeably restricted airflow for me. As I understand it, using the thick ones that restrict airflow can cause issues with the blower motor and resistor overheating and failing since there's not enough airflow to keep them cool (similar to operating with clogged filter).