Used 2016 Subaru Forester for SaleNationwide

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 1.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,801 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Foresters 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 its smooth ride, spacious interior, and excellent safety features. The all-wheel drive also comes up often as a plus if you deal with winter weather, and the model’s practical crossover layout fits buyers who want everyday usefulness over flash.

With its nearly class-leading space and strong peace-of-mind appeal, it makes the most sense if you value a roomy, practical compact crossover with broad competence. 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2016 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback points to a vehicle that many drivers find dependable, with praise for its smooth ride, spacious cabin, and overall performance. The expert review also emphasizes that the Forester is a practical, long-term-friendly choice for buyers who want a crossover they can count on.

Its all-wheel-drive system and broad competence support that reputation, and the expert review notes that Subaru says it has addressed the oil-consumption issue that hurt earlier versions. Still, used buyers should pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition, since long-term ownership risk depends heavily on how each example was cared for.

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

At 62.1% 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 thorough pre-purchase inspection. Focus on signs of prior body damage, uneven wear, and any equipment issues that could affect daily use, especially if you’re comparing higher-mileage examples.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Forester comes standard 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, while 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 CVT improves efficiency but can feel lurchy and slow to respond. A turbo 2.0-liter option is also mentioned, with 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque for buyers who want more punch.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight system adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance, while Starlink Plus provides automatic collision notification. Higher trims get an upgraded telematics version, and the EyeSight system is available on some trims rather than standard across the board.
• Infotainment: The Forester uses a 6.2-inch touchscreen on standard trims and a 7-inch unit on Premium trims, with smartphone app integration through Starlink and MirrorLink phone pairing. The system does not include wireless CarPlay or Android Auto in the text provided, and the screen can wash out in sunlight.
• 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 is listed 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 play if you want the Forester’s core strengths at the lowest entry point. You still get the standard touchscreen, rear-view camera, app integration, and the model’s practical all-wheel-drive setup.
• 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 without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims.
• 2.5i Limited: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel, with leather, automatic climate control, foglights, automatic headlights, and a power liftgate. It also brings X Mode, which helps traction in low-speed slippery conditions.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the comfort-and-convenience pick, adding 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 turbocharged engine and a more sporting character, since it adds the 250-hp turbo powertrain along with a sport suspension and leather steering wheel.
• 2.0XT Touring: This is the most fully equipped turbo version, combining the stronger engine with the Touring trim’s added luxury and convenience features.

The safety package is strongest on trims equipped with EyeSight, so it’s worth prioritizing that feature if you want the most advanced driver assistance.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and deal activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,801 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.1% 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 $12,528 sits slightly below last year's $12,684.

That modest decline suggests the market has softened 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 equipment rather than on broad market appreciation.

The Forester’s practical reputation and steady buyer interest should help support demand, especially for cleaner examples with strong maintenance records. 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 telematics functions, and EyeSight is available for 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 its safety performance, so it’s worth paying attention to the full crash-test picture when comparing used examples. EyeSight also depends on camera visibility, so weather and windshield conditions can temporarily limit its operation.

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:

• 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds a new touchscreen interface and remains competitive in space, safety, and everyday usability.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,079, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,528 average.
• It emphasizes value, safety, and everyday usefulness after a fresh redesign.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,631, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,528 average.
• It splits into value-focused and more powerful versions.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and practicality, the 2016 is the strongest all-around pick. If your budget is tighter, the 2015 is the cheaper route into the same basic formula, while the 2017 makes sense only if you specifically want to pay more for its updated split between value and performance.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.