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 $11,852
• 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: $11,852 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 711 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 tech features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $12,348 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,901 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 a significant price jump.

• Avg. market price: $12,654 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 899 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 more power without going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $13,107 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 163 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 latest tech and comfort features.

• Avg. market price: $14,592 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 476 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: $15,299 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 321 listings
• View 2.0XT Touring listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium

With 1,901 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 $11,852 avg market price — below the lineup median of $12,880 — 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 September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 3.04% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,792 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $12,416.37, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Subaru Forester earns 4.33/5 from owners and 6.83/10 from expert testing. The standout strength is Safety at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, spacious interior, and excellent safety features. They also tend to value the all-wheel drive for winter conditions and the Forester’s overall practicality.

That lines up with the overview: you’re looking at a compact crossover that tries to balance style, off-road capability, on-road manners, and space rather than dominate just one area. The new touchscreen interface adds appeal, but the model’s broad usefulness is the bigger draw.

With 31.6% 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.

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience for many drivers, with the Forester often described as a vehicle you can count on for everyday use. The expert test drive notes also support that impression by emphasizing its practical, well-rounded character and strong all-weather capability.

The performance write-up adds that Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is a core part of the Forester’s appeal, and the CVT-equipped versions are tuned to help efficiency. The cost-effectiveness notes also mention that Subaru claims to have addressed the oil-consumption issue and extended warranties for affected owners.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that some listings may still reflect the model’s past reliability reputation, so condition and maintenance history matter a lot.

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

At 64.1% 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 price looks unusually strong. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the touchscreen and other electronics work properly.

Because some owners mention high mileage for the price, it also makes sense to compare wear against the asking price rather than relying on mileage alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim comes 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 engine is described as one of the most powerful in the class with 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The CVT helps efficiency, while the manual avoids some of the CVT’s drivability complaints.
• 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 Subaru’s Starlink system with smartphone app integration, MirrorLink phone pairing, and a 6.2-inch screen on the base trim. Premium trims get a 7-inch screen and the enhanced Starlink system.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT-equipped 2.5-liter model is rated at 24 mpg city and 32 highway for 27 combined, while the manual gets 22/29 for 25 combined. The turbo 2.0-liter is rated at 23 city and 28 highway for 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 starting 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 covers the basics well.
• 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. If you want a nicer daily driver without jumping too far up the price ladder, this is the trim to target.
• 2.5i Limited: This trim adds leather, automatic climate control, foglights, automatic headlights, and a power liftgate. It also brings X Mode with the CVT, which is useful if you want extra traction confidence in dirt or snow.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the most comfort-focused version of the standard engine lineup, 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 upscale non-turbo Forester.
• 2.0XT Premium: This is the pick if you want the stronger turbo engine and a more sporting feel. It adds 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, plus a sport suspension and leather steering wheel, so it suits buyers who care more about acceleration than maximum value.
• 2.0XT Touring: This is the top turbo trim and makes sense if you want the most powerful Forester with the most equipment. It combines the turbo engine with the Touring trim’s comfort and convenience upgrades.

The safety package is a strong reason to shop carefully, since EyeSight is available but not universal across the lineup.

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 patiently but still move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,792 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.04% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 64.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,416.37, 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 $12,824 sits slightly below last year's $13,226.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help if you buy now and sell later. A lower entry price can also make it easier to stay ahead of future depreciation if you choose a well-kept example.

The resale picture is helped by the Forester’s broad appeal, especially its practicality and owner satisfaction. Listings with strong condition and clean history should hold up better than higher-mileage examples with visible wear.

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 Forester was awarded 4 out of 5 stars in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s total frontal impact test.

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

The safety package includes 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 more connected features, and EyeSight can be added for adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance.

One caveat is that the text notes the absence of blind-spot monitoring, so you should not assume every driver-assistance feature is included.

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:

• 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 64.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.04% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds a new touchscreen interface and remains competitive in space, safety, and all-weather usefulness.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,294, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,824 average.
• It feels fresh after a redesign and earned strong recognition from IIHS and Motor Trend.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,714, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,824 average.
• It splits into a practical 2.5i and a more powerful 2.0XT.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday usefulness, the 2016 is the sensible middle ground. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2015 can save you money, while the 2017 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer model-year choice.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.