Used 2016 Subaru Forester for SaleNationwide

Compare 2016 Subaru Forester Trims

The 2016 Subaru Forester offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for versatile driving.

• Starting at $11,651
• Best MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Most Popular: 2.5i Premium

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

2.5i — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i is the pick for shoppers who want a reliable and affordable SUV without paying for extra features.

• Avg. market price: $11,651 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 713 listings
• View 2.5i listings

2.5i Premium — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i Premium is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV with modern features and a spacious interior.

• Avg. market price: $12,346 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,914 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View 2.5i Premium listings

2.5i Limited — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i Limited is the pick for shoppers who want luxury touches and advanced safety features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $12,335 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 916 listings
• View 2.5i Limited listings

2.0XT Premium — "Who It's For"

The 2.0XT Premium is the pick for shoppers who want a sportier drive with turbocharged performance and premium features.

• Avg. market price: $12,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 169 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 2.0XT Premium listings

2.5i Touring — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i Touring is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with all the luxury features for a comfortable ride.

• Avg. market price: $14,104 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 494 listings
• View 2.5i Touring listings

2.0XT Touring — "Who It's For"

The 2.0XT Touring is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate performance and luxury in a compact SUV.

• Avg. market price: $15,637 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 299 listings
• View 2.0XT Touring listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium

With 1,914 active listings, the 2.5i Premium is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse 2.5i Premium listings

Best Budget Option — 2.5i

At $11,651 avg market price — below the lineup median of $12,672 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 2.5i listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 2.5i

The 2.5i offers the best fuel economy in the lineup at 24/32 MPG.

Browse 2.5i listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 2.67% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,782 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare on price and condition.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester a good car?

Generally — the 4.33/5 user rating and 6.83/10 expert rating point to a well-liked, well-rounded crossover. The Forester’s appeal comes through in its smooth ride, spacious interior, and strong safety features, while the overview also highlights its broad usefulness for buyers who want practical space and all-wheel-drive confidence in winter conditions. The standout strength is Safety at 8/10. With 33.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 4.33/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience for many drivers, with praise centered on the Forester’s smooth ride, spacious cabin, and all-wheel-drive confidence. The expert notes also frame it as a vehicle that can handle daily use well, and Subaru’s maintenance messaging includes a first scheduled maintenance visit that is on the house. Even so, used buyers should pay close attention to service history and any signs of past oil-consumption or recall-related issues before committing.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Subaru Forester?

At 63.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on overall condition, maintenance records, and whether the touchscreen and driver-assistance features work as expected. If you’re comparing multiple examples, give extra weight to cars with cleaner histories and fewer signs of wear.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim includes a 6.2-inch touchscreen, rear-view camera, app integration, and HD radio with aux and USB inputs, while Premium trims add a power driver’s seat, sunroof, upgraded stereo, and a larger 7-inch touchscreen with the enhanced Starlink system. Limited trims add automatic headlights, foglights, a power liftgate, leather, and automatic climate control, while Touring trims add 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, and a Harman Kardon stereo.
• Powertrain: The base 2.5-liter boxer engine makes 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, and the turbo 2.0-liter raises output to 250 hp and 258 lb-ft. The CVT improves efficiency, while the manual avoids some of the CVT’s low-speed drivability issues.
• Safety package: EyeSight adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance. It is not standard on every trim, and the text notes the absence of blind-spot monitoring.
• Infotainment: The Forester uses a 6.2-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 7-inch screen on Premium trims, with smartphone app integration and MirrorLink phone pairing. The system supports OTA capability is not mentioned.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT-equipped 2.5-liter returns a combined 27 mpg, the manual gets 25 combined, and the turbo 2.0-liter is rated at 25 combined.

Which 2016 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2016 Subaru Forester is offered in 6 trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 2.0XT Premium, and 2.0XT Touring.

Here's the short version:

• 2.5i: This is the value play if you want the Forester’s core strengths at the lowest entry point, including the standard touchscreen, rear-view camera, and app integration.
• 2.5i Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a power driver’s seat, sunroof, upgraded stereo, and the larger 7-inch touchscreen without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims.
• 2.5i Limited: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel, with leather, automatic climate control, foglights, automatic headlights, and a power liftgate.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the comfort-and-features choice, adding 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, and the Harman Kardon stereo.
• 2.0XT Premium: Pick this if you want the turbo engine and a sport suspension, along with the leather steering wheel and the stronger performance character.
• 2.0XT Touring: This is the most feature-rich turbo trim, combining the 2.0XT’s extra power with the Touring equipment list.

EyeSight is available on higher trims, so check carefully if that driver-assistance package matters to you.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Subaru Forester?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,782 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.67% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,410, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Subaru Forester's resale value?

The current average of $12,474 sits slightly below last year's $12,816.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation. For a future seller, that means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and maintenance history rather than just the badge alone. Listings with cleaner histories and stronger equipment should be easier to move when it’s your turn to sell.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.33/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2016 Subaru Forester earns a Top Safety Pick-level result from IIHS and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The Forester comes with antilock disc brakes, a full suite of airbags, traction and stability control, and Subaru’s Starlink Plus telematic system with automatic collision notification. Higher trims add upgraded telematics features that let you unlock doors, locate the vehicle, and receive alarm notifications from your phone. EyeSight is available as an added driver-assistance package and brings adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance, but it can be disabled by snow, mud, dirt, direct sunlight, or heavy fog and mist.

Should I buy a 2016 Subaru Forester or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.67% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 adds a new touchscreen interface and keeps the Forester competitive in space, safety, and all-around usefulness.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,266, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,474 average.
• It is a practical, safety-focused value pick with strong substance over flash.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,691, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,474 average.
• It adds two distinct personalities: a sensible 2.5i and a more powerful 2.0XT.

The bottom line: The 2016 is the right middle ground if you want the Forester’s practical strengths, updated tech, and a softer price than newer examples. If your priority is saving money, the 2015 is the better value path; if you want to spend more for a newer listing, the 2017 is the next step up, but it asks for a higher budget.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.