Used 2016 Subaru Forester for Sale near North Carolina

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 $11,189
• 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: $11,189 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 724 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 without going for the highest price. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $12,166 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,937 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 trim level.

• Avg. market price: $12,696 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 951 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 driving experience with turbocharged power.

• Avg. market price: $13,243 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 161 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 the most luxurious features in a compact SUV.

• Avg. market price: $14,554 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 505 listings
• View 2.5i Touring listings

2.0XT Touring — "Who It's For"

The 2.0XT Touring is the pick for shoppers who want a high-performance SUV with luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $15,189 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 316 listings
• View 2.0XT Touring listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium

With 1,937 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 $11,189 avg market price — below the lineup median of $12,969 — 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 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 3.92% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,823 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 a 4.33/5 user rating and a 6.83/10 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 model’s practical, well-rounded nature fits buyers who want a compact crossover that does a little of everything.

With its nearly class-leading space and close-to-perfect safety score, it makes the most sense if you value usefulness over style or sporty handling. 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

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 recurring praise for the Forester’s overall practicality and all-wheel-drive confidence. The expert review also describes the model as a strong all-around performer that remains competitive across the qualities shoppers care about most.

Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system and the Forester’s generally durable, long-term-friendly character support its reputation as a vehicle you can count on. Still, used buyers should pay close attention to maintenance history and any signs of past oil-consumption or recall-related issues, since those can affect long-term ownership risk.

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

At 63.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any accident damage was repaired properly. Then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the drivetrain, electronics, and any signs of wear that could be hidden by a clean-looking listing. Because mileage can be high for the price in some examples, condition matters more than odometer reading alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The 2.5i is the value play, while Premium trims add a power driver’s seat, sunroof, upgraded stereo, and a larger 7-inch touchscreen with the enhanced Starlink system. Limited trims add automatic headlights, foglights, a power liftgate, leather, and automatic climate control, while Touring trims bring 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, with a 6-speed manual or CVT. The turbo 2.0-liter raises output to 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and the CVT improves efficiency compared with the manual.
• 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 that blind-spot monitoring is absent.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes a 6.2-inch touchscreen with Starlink, app integration, a rear-view camera, and HD radio with aux and USB inputs. Premium trims get a larger 7-inch touchscreen, and the system uses MirrorLink for phone pairing.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT-equipped 2.5-liter returns a combined 27 mpg, while the manual is rated at 25 combined. 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 entry point, and it gives you the core Forester formula with the standard touchscreen, rear-view camera, app integration, and all-wheel drive. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model.
• 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 with enhanced Starlink. It also unlocks the All-Weather package with heated mirrors and seats on manual-transmission versions.
• 2.5i Limited: This trim adds automatic headlights, foglights, a power liftgate, leather, and automatic climate control. It also brings X Mode on CVT-equipped versions, which helps traction on dirt and snowy roads.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the most upscale 2.5-liter trim, with 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, Harman Kardon audio, and keyless entry and ignition. It suits you if you want the most comfort and convenience in the non-turbo lineup.
• 2.0XT Premium: This is the performance-oriented choice, pairing the turbocharged engine with a sport suspension and a leather steering wheel. It is the one to choose if you want the strongest acceleration and a more engaging feel.
• 2.0XT Touring: This combines the turbo powertrain with the Touring equipment set, so you get the most powerful Forester with the most upscale features.

The safety package is a strong reason to shop carefully by trim, since EyeSight is available rather than universal, and some convenience features are reserved for higher trims.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you have room to compare listings carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,823 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.92% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,387, 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 $12,387 sits slightly below last year's $12,893.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already moved through some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. 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 a broad pool of listings, a clean, well-kept Forester should remain relatively easy to move later. 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 Forester comes with antilock disc brakes, a full suite of airbags, traction and stability control, and Subaru’s Starlink Plus telematic system with automatic collision notification. Higher trims add upgraded telematics features that let you unlock doors, locate the vehicle, and receive alarm notifications from your phone. EyeSight is available as well, bringing adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance.

One caveat is that the NHTSA frontal-impact result is lower than the rest of the safety picture, so you should weigh that alongside the model’s otherwise strong safety reputation. The available EyeSight system also depends on camera visibility, so snow, mud, dirt, fog, or strong 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:

• 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.92% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• With a new touchscreen interface, the 2016 feels more up to date while staying practical and spacious.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,211, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,387 average.
• It emphasizes value and safety over flash.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,639, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,387 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 your budget is tighter, the 2015 can save you money, while the 2017 makes sense only if you want to pay more for its broader trim split and newer-market positioning.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.