How much does the 2016 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 1.89% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,724 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $12,415.92, 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 a 4.33/5 user rating and a 6.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 8/10.

Owners most often praise the smooth ride, spacious interior, and excellent safety features. The all-wheel drive also comes up repeatedly as a plus for winter conditions, and the model’s practical, well-rounded character fits buyers who want a crossover that balances space, safety, and everyday usability.

With a 25.7% good-or-great-deal rate in the market, you have room to shop selectively rather than rush.

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, practical ownership experience, with owners describing the Forester as a vehicle they can count on for everyday use. The expert drive notes also emphasize that Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system and traction-focused setup help the Forester feel secure in poor weather and on slippery roads.

The cost-effectiveness notes also say Subaru claims it has addressed the oil-consumption problem and extended warranties for affected owners. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure a specific vehicle’s history and maintenance record are clean before you commit.

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 thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and any signs of prior bodywork or wear that could affect long-term ownership costs.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The standard 2.5i 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 raises output to 250 hp and 258 lb-ft. The CVT improves efficiency but can feel jerky, while the manual avoids some of that behavior.
• Safety package: EyeSight adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance. It is not standard across the lineup, and the text also notes the absence of blind-spot monitoring.
• Infotainment: The Forester uses a 6.2-inch touchscreen with the new Starlink interface, while Premium trims get a larger 7-inch screen with the enhanced Starlink system. Smartphone app integration is included, but the system can be slow to respond and may have phone-compatibility issues.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT-equipped 2.5-liter returns a combined 27 mpg from EPA-estimated 24 mpg city and 32 highway, while the manual is rated at 22/29 for 25 combined. The turbo 2.0-liter is rated at 25 combined, with 23 city and 28 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 entry point if you want the Forester’s core strengths at the lowest cost, including the touchscreen, rear-view camera, and app integration. It makes the most sense if you care more about value and practicality than extra comfort features.
• 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. It gives you a more complete daily-driver experience without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims.
• 2.5i Limited: This trim adds leather, automatic climate control, automatic headlights, foglights, and a power liftgate. It suits you if you want a more upscale feel and can live with the CVT-only setup at this level and above.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the most comfort-focused non-turbo choice, 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 more power, since it adds the turbocharged engine and a sport suspension. It also gets a leather steering wheel, so it’s the right fit if performance matters more than maximum efficiency.
• 2.0XT Touring: This is the most powerful and most fully equipped version mentioned, combining the turbo engine with the Touring-level comfort and convenience upgrades. It makes sense if you want the strongest engine and the richest feature set in one package.

Higher trims get the upgraded version of Subaru’s Starlink Plus telematics system, and EyeSight can be added for extra driver assistance.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile options.

• Deal availability: 25.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,724 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.89% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,415.92, 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 $12,957 sits slightly below last year's $13,206.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. It also means your resale outcome will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and maintenance history rather than just model-year desirability.

Because the market still shows steady demand and the Forester remains easy to sell, a clean example should hold up better than a neglected one. 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 a four-star rating in the NHTSA total frontal impact test.

It earns a 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 get an upgraded version that can unlock doors, locate the vehicle, and send alarm notifications through your phone, and EyeSight adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance.

One caveat is that EyeSight depends on windshield-mounted cameras, so snow, mud, dirt, direct sunlight, fog, or mist can temporarily disable it. The text also notes the absence of blind-spot monitoring.

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:

• 25.7% 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 1.89% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• With a new touchscreen interface, the 2016 model feels more up to date than the prior year.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,281, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,957 average.
• It emphasizes value and safety over flash.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,710, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,957 average.
• It splits the lineup into a practical 2.5i and a more powerful 2.0XT.

The bottom line: The 2016 is the sweet spot if you want a well-equipped Forester with a better feature set than the 2015 and a lower price than the 2017. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2015 can save you money, but the 2016 gives you a more current infotainment setup and strong overall value.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.