Used 2016 Subaru Forester for Sale near Maine

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 $11,231
• 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 budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $11,231 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 728 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 for adventures without going over budget.

• Avg. market price: $12,141 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,921 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 features and comfort without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $13,488 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 933 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 performance without sacrificing practicality.

• Avg. market price: $13,639 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 160 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 family-friendly SUV with advanced features for comfort and safety.

• Avg. market price: $14,224 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 542 listings
• View 2.5i Touring listings

2.0XT Touring — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $14,908 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 315 listings
• View 2.0XT Touring listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium

With 1,921 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 $11,231 avg market price — below the lineup median of $13,563 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 2.5i listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 2.5i

The 2.5i offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 24/32 MPG.

Browse 2.5i listings

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

How much does the 2016 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 1.77% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,850 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Subaru Forester earns 4.3/5 from owners and 6.8/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Safety at 8/10.

Owners most often praise its smooth ride, spacious interior, and excellent safety features. You also see recurring approval for the all-wheel drive in winter conditions and the vehicle’s overall practicality. For you, that means this is a strong fit if you want a compact crossover that emphasizes usefulness, confidence in bad weather, and everyday comfort over flash.

31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that many drivers find dependable, with recurring praise for its smooth ride, spacious interior, and overall practicality. The expert review also describes the Forester as a vehicle that can do a little of everything without leaning too far in one direction, and it notes that Subaru has addressed the oil-consumption issue that hurt earlier versions. Subaru also says it has extended warranties for affected vehicles, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re comparing used examples.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure you’re not buying a poorly maintained example with a history that could affect future costs.

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

At 63.5% 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 condition, maintenance records, and whether the touchscreen and other electronics work properly, since owner feedback and expert testing both point to tech-related concerns. If you’re comparing multiple examples, give extra weight to the cleanest, best-documented vehicle rather than the cheapest one.

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. 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 is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT. The turbo 2.0-liter engine is available on XT trims and brings much stronger output, while the CVT is described as less smooth than the manual.
• Safety package: EyeSight adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance. Subaru’s Starlink Plus telematics system provides automatic collision notification, and higher trims add remote functions through your phone. Note that blind-spot monitoring is not mentioned here.
• Infotainment: The Forester uses Subaru’s Starlink interface with smartphone app integration, MirrorLink phone pairing, and a 6.2-inch screen on the base trim or a 7-inch screen on Premium trims. The system supports OTA capability.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT-equipped 2.5-liter model is rated at 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, while the manual version is rated at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The turbo 2.0-liter version is rated at 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

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 entry point if you want the Forester’s core strengths without paying for extras. You still get the touchscreen, rear-view camera, app integration, and the practical all-wheel-drive setup, so it makes sense if you care most about price and basics.
• 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 7-inch touchscreen without jumping all the way to the pricier Limited. If you want the most balanced mix of comfort and cost, this is the one to target.
• 2.5i Limited: This trim adds automatic headlights, foglights, a power liftgate, leather, and automatic climate control, making it a better fit if you want a more upscale daily driver. It also gets X Mode, which helps traction on dirt and snowy roads.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the most comfort- and convenience-focused non-turbo trim, with 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, Harman Kardon audio, and keyless entry and ignition. Choose it if you want the most features in the standard engine lineup.
• 2.0XT Premium: This is the pick if you want the turbo engine and stronger performance, plus the sport suspension and leather steering wheel. It suits you best if acceleration matters more than keeping costs down.
• 2.0XT Touring: This is the top turbo trim and combines the stronger engine with the Touring equipment set. It’s the right choice if you want the most powerful and most fully equipped Forester in this lineup.

Safety-package note: EyeSight is available, but it depends on trim and configuration, so verify that the specific listing includes it.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop around but still enough demand to reward quick action on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,850 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.77% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,411, 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 $12,596 sits slightly below last year's $12,823.

That softer pricing suggests the Forester is still accessible on the used market, but it also means future sellers may not see strong appreciation from today’s levels. If you buy well and keep the vehicle in good condition, you can help protect value, but the market is still pricing in some caution. Clean history and strong maintenance records matter here because they can help your listing stand out later.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, 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 rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s total frontal impact test.

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 telematics system with automatic collision notification. Higher trims add remote functions through your phone, and EyeSight brings adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance. One caveat is that the EyeSight system can be disabled if its cameras are blocked by snow, mud, dirt, sunlight, or fog.

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:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.77% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• A new touchscreen interface makes the 2016 feel more up to date.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,104, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,596 average.
• It emphasizes value and safety over flash.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,544, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,596 average.
• It splits the lineup into value and performance-focused versions.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday usefulness, the 2016 is the smart default. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2015 is the lower-cost path, while the 2017 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling alternative.

How does the 2016 Subaru Forester compare to the 2016 Honda CR-V?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.