Used 2016 Subaru Forester for Sale near New Jersey

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 $11,086
• 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: $11,086 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 699 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: $12,151 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,904 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 without stepping up to the highest price point.

• Avg. market price: $12,903 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 930 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 without sacrificing comfort and technology.

• Avg. market price: $13,898 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 168 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 for family adventures without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $14,056 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 522 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: $14,848 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 319 listings
• View 2.0XT Touring listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium

With 1,904 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 $11,086 avg market price — below the lineup median of $13,400 — 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/MPGe.

Browse 2.5i listings

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

How much does the 2016 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 1.74% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,789 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Subaru Forester earns a 4.3/5 user rating and a 6.8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, spacious interior, and excellent safety features. The all-wheel drive also comes up often as a plus for winter conditions, and the updated touchscreen helps the cabin feel more current.

For you, that means the Forester makes the most sense if you want a practical compact crossover that emphasizes space, safety, and all-weather usefulness over style or sporty road manners.

Only 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may take some searching.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with recurring praise for the vehicle’s smooth ride, spacious interior, and overall practicality. The expert review also describes the Forester as a vehicle you can count on for broad competence, while noting that Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system adds confidence in poor weather.

The cost-effectiveness review adds that Subaru says it has addressed the oil-consumption issue and extended warranties for affected owners.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that past reliability concerns and recalls can still affect individual vehicles, so service history matters.

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

At 63.1% 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 visible cosmetic wear. Pay close attention to how the touchscreen, camera, and driver-assistance features work in real-world use, since those are the kinds of items owners have flagged.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The 2.5i comes standard with a 6.2-inch touchscreen, rear-view camera, app integration, and HD radio with aux and USB inputs. Premium trims add a power driver’s seat, sunroof, upgraded stereo, and a larger 7-inch touchscreen, while Limited trims add automatic headlights, foglights, a power liftgate, leather, and automatic climate control. 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. The CVT improves efficiency, while the manual avoids some of the CVT’s low-speed drivability issues. The turbo 2.0-liter engine adds 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and it is the stronger choice if you want more passing power.
• Safety package: EyeSight adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance. It is not standard on every trim, and the tech relies on cameras that can be blocked by snow, dirt, fog, or bright sunlight.
• Infotainment: The Forester uses Subaru’s Starlink interface with smartphone app integration. The standard screen is 6.2 inches, Premium trims get a 7-inch screen, and the system supports MirrorLink. The backup camera is standard, but the review notes that it is low-resolution.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT-equipped 2.5-liter model is rated at 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, while the manual returns 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The turbo 2.0-liter is rated at 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with the CVT.

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 Subaru’s practical all-weather character.
• 2.5i Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a power driver’s seat, sunroof, upgraded stereo, and a larger 7-inch touchscreen without jumping into the pricier upper trims.
• 2.5i Limited: Choose this if you want more comfort and convenience, including leather, automatic climate control, foglights, automatic headlights, and a power liftgate. It also gets X Mode, which helps traction at low speeds.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the luxury-leaning choice, with 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, Harman Kardon audio, and keyless entry and ignition.
• 2.0XT Premium: Pick this if you want the turbo engine and a sport suspension. It adds more power and a more engaging feel, but it is the more specialized choice.
• 2.0XT Touring: This is the most fully equipped turbo model, combining the stronger engine with the Touring trim’s upscale features.

EyeSight is available on higher trims, so if safety tech is a priority, make sure 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, so you have room to shop carefully rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,789 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.74% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.1% 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 $12,552 sits slightly below last year's $12,774.

That softer pricing suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and service history rather than just model-year appeal.

Because the Forester still has broad buyer appeal, especially among shoppers who want space and all-wheel drive, clean examples should remain easier to move than neglected ones.

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 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 telematics system with automatic collision notification. Higher trims add upgraded connected features, and EyeSight can be added for adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance.

One caveat is that the EyeSight system depends on cameras in the windshield, so snow, dirt, fog, mist, or bright sunlight can temporarily disable it.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.74% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 adds a new touchscreen interface and keeps the Forester competitive with strong space and safety.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,086, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,552 average.
• It emphasizes value and safety after a recent redesign.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,550, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,552 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 sweet spot. If your budget is tighter, the 2015 is the cheaper path; if you want a broader choice of powertrains, the 2017 is worth a look.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.