Used 2016 Subaru Forester for Sale nearHarrisonburg, VA

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 enhanced capability.

• Starting at $11,474
• 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.

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Trim Deep Dives

2.5i — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $11,474 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 729 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 advanced features without stepping up to the Limited trim.

• Avg. market price: $12,260 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,903 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 a blend of luxury and utility without going for the higher-priced trims.

• Avg. market price: $12,522 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 912 listings
• View 2.5i Limited listings

2.0XT Premium — "Who It's For"

The 2.0XT Premium is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance and advanced features without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $12,794 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 170 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 comforts and tech features for family trips.

• Avg. market price: $14,525 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 496 listings
• View 2.5i Touring listings

2.0XT Touring — "Who It's For"

The 2.0XT Touring is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and performance for serious adventures without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $15,665 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 306 listings
• View 2.0XT Touring listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium

With 1,903 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 $11,474 avg market price — below the lineup median of $12,658 — 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 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 3.05% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,796 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare on price, mileage, and condition.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester a good car?

Generally — the 4.33/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 6.83/10. The standout strength is Safety at 8/10.

Owners repeatedly praise the smooth ride, spacious interior, and excellent safety features, and they also value the all-wheel drive for winter conditions. The Forester’s broad appeal comes from being practical and well-rounded rather than flashy, with the overview highlighting its space, safety, and on-road manners as key reasons to consider it.

Only 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you may need to shop selectively to find the best value.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience for many drivers, with praise centered on the Forester’s practical nature and long-term usefulness. The expert notes also emphasize that Subaru’s all-wheel-drive setup is built to handle traction needs well, and the cost-effectiveness commentary says Subaru claims to have addressed the oil-consumption problem that hurt earlier versions.

The maintenance side is helped by Subaru’s ownership-cost positioning, but used buyers should still watch for signs of prior oil-consumption issues, recall work, and wear that could affect long-term ownership risk.

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

At 62.3% 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 has higher mileage or a price that seems unusually low. Focus on condition details that matter most in a used crossover: drivetrain behavior, interior wear, and whether the technology and safety systems work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base 2.5i comes standard with 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. Limited trims add automatic headlights, foglights, a power liftgate, leather, and automatic climate control, and Touring trims add 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, Harman Kardon audio, and keyless entry and ignition.
• 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 but can feel jerky and slow to respond, while the manual avoids some of those complaints.
• Safety package: EyeSight brings adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance, but it depends on camera visibility and can be disabled by snow, mud, dirt, sunlight, or fog. Subaru’s Starlink Plus telematics system adds automatic collision notification, and higher trims get remote functions such as door unlocking, vehicle location, and alarm notifications.
• Infotainment: The updated Starlink system uses a 6.2-inch screen on base trims and a 7-inch screen on Premium trims, with smartphone app integration and MirrorLink phone pairing. The system can be slow to respond to pinch-and-drag inputs, and compatibility with some phones is worth checking before you buy.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT-equipped 2.5-liter returns a combined 27 mpg, the manual is rated at 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. It makes the most sense if you care more about practicality than extra comfort features.
• 2.5i Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the power driver’s seat, sunroof, upgraded stereo, and larger touchscreen without jumping all the way to the pricier Limited. If you want the most balanced mix of features and price, start here.
• 2.5i Limited: This trim is the step up if you want leather, automatic climate control, foglights, automatic headlights, and a power liftgate. It also adds X Mode, which helps traction in dirt and snow, but it locks you into the CVT.
• 2.5i Touring: Choose this if you want the most comfort and convenience in the standard 2.5-liter lineup, including xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, Harman Kardon audio, and keyless entry and ignition. It is the most upscale non-turbo choice.
• 2.0XT Premium: This is the pick if you want the turbo engine and stronger acceleration, plus sport suspension and a leather steering wheel. It suits you best if performance matters more than fuel economy.
• 2.0XT Touring: This is the top turbo trim, combining the stronger engine with the Touring equipment set for the most fully featured version of the Forester.

Higher trims get the upgraded Starlink telematics functions, and EyeSight is available as an added safety system.

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: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,796 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.05% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,412, 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 $12,549 sits slightly below last year's $12,943.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a better entry point today. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and maintenance history rather than just model-year desirability.

The Forester’s broad appeal helps support demand, especially because shoppers often want its space, safety, and all-wheel-drive capability. But the price trend shows you should not assume strong appreciation; keeping the vehicle clean, documented, and well maintained will matter most when it is time 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 four-star overall rating from NHTSA.

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

The standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, a full suite of airbags, traction and stability control, and Subaru’s Starlink Plus telematics system with automatic collision notification. EyeSight is available as an added driver-assistance package, bringing adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance, though it can be temporarily disabled if the cameras lose visibility.

One caveat is that NHTSA’s total frontal impact test was the only test in which the Forester did not receive a perfect score, so that result is worth keeping in mind if safety is your top priority.

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:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.05% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds a new touchscreen interface and keeps the Forester’s broad mix of space, safety, and all-wheel-drive usefulness.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,309, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,549 average.
• It is a practical, value-focused choice with strong safety and a fresh redesign.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,823, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,549 average.
• It splits into a sensible 2.5i and a more powerful 2.0XT for buyers who want more choice.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday usefulness, the 2016 is the right place to start. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2015 can save you money, while the 2017 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling alternative with a broader personality split.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.