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 $11,474
• 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: $11,474 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 729 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 advanced features without stepping up to the Limited trim.

• Avg. market price: $12,260 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,903 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 a blend of luxury and utility without going for the higher-priced trims.

• Avg. market price: $12,522 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 912 listings
• View 2.5i Limited listings

2.0XT Premium — "Who It's For"

The 2.0XT Premium is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance and advanced features without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $12,794 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 170 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 comforts and tech features for family trips.

• Avg. market price: $14,525 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 496 listings
• View 2.5i Touring listings

2.0XT Touring — "Who It's For"

The 2.0XT Touring is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and performance for serious adventures without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $15,665 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 306 listings
• View 2.0XT Touring listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium

With 1,903 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 $11,474 avg market price — below the lineup median of $12,658 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 2.5i listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 2.5i

The 2.5i offers the best fuel economy in the lineup at 24/32 MPG.

Browse 2.5i listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 3.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,761 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, which points to broad appeal rather than standout specialization. The Forester’s appeal is strongest if you want a practical compact crossover with nearly class-leading space, a smooth ride, and strong safety credentials. Owners also consistently praise the spacious interior, excellent safety features, and all-wheel drive for winter conditions. The model’s broad usefulness fits shoppers who want a well-rounded crossover instead of one that leans heavily into style or sportiness. Good and great deals account for 33.1% of listings, so there is still 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 praise centered on the Forester’s overall practicality and long-term usefulness. The expert evaluation also notes that Subaru says it has addressed the oil-consumption problem that hurt earlier versions, which matters if you want a used example with fewer legacy concerns. Subaru’s claim that it has extended warranties for affected owners is another ownership detail worth noting. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that past reliability concerns and recalls can still affect resale confidence, so condition and service history matter.

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

At 63.8% 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 attractive relative to the market. Focus on body condition, repair quality, and whether the vehicle’s equipment works as expected, since some owners have raised concerns about touchscreen durability. It also makes sense to confirm that the car’s safety and driver-assistance features operate properly before you commit.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Forester is offered in six trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 2.0XT Premium, and 2.0XT Touring. The base 2.5i includes a 6.2-inch touchscreen, rear-view camera, app integration, and HD radio, 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 turbo 2.0-liter raises output to 250 hp and 258 lb-ft. The CVT improves efficiency but can feel jerky, while the 6-speed manual avoids some of that behavior. The CVT returns a combined 27 mpg, the manual returns 25 combined, and the turbo model is rated at 25 combined.
• Safety package: EyeSight adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance. It is not standard, and the text notes the absence of blind-spot monitoring or alert. Subaru’s Starlink Plus telematic system also provides automatic collision notification, with higher trims adding remote unlock, vehicle location, and alarm notifications.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses a 6.2-inch touchscreen with Starlink, app integration, and a rear-view camera. Premium trims upgrade to a 7-inch touchscreen with the enhanced Starlink system. The system uses MirrorLink for phone pairing, and the text notes possible compatibility issues with some phones.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT-equipped 2.5-liter model returns a combined 27 mpg, while the 6-speed manual returns 25 combined. The turbo 2.0-liter returns 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 play if you want the Forester’s core strengths without paying for extras. You still get the 6.2-inch touchscreen, rear-view camera, app integration, and HD radio, 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 a larger 7-inch touchscreen. If you want a more polished daily driver without jumping too far up the price ladder, this is the trim to target.
• 2.5i Limited: This trim adds automatic headlights, foglights, a power liftgate, leather, and automatic climate control. It also brings X Mode, which helps maximize traction below 25 mph, so it suits you if you want more convenience and a bit more capability.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the most comfort-focused 2.5-liter trim, 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 turbo engine and stronger acceleration, plus a sport suspension and leather steering wheel. It is the most performance-oriented choice in the lineup.
• 2.0XT Touring: This combines the turbo power with the Touring equipment set, so it is the top-end choice if you want the quickest Forester with the most features.

Higher trims get the upgraded Starlink Plus telematics features, and EyeSight remains an important safety add-on to look for.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,761 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,419, 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 $12,631 sits slightly below last year's $13,055.

That decline suggests the market has softened, which can make the Forester easier to buy now but a little less favorable if you are thinking about future trade-in value. If you buy at the right price, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later. The model’s broad appeal and steady demand help support resale, but condition and mileage will matter a lot when you eventually sell.

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 telematics system with automatic collision notification. EyeSight adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance, but it is not standard and can be disabled if the cameras are obstructed. The text also notes the absence of blind-spot monitoring or alert, so you should not assume every safety feature is included on every trim.

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:

• 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.25% 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-around usefulness.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,337, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,631 average.
• It is a practical, value-focused choice with strong safety and a fresh redesign.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $14,781, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,631 average.
• It offers two distinct personalities, with a sensible 2.5i and a more powerful 2.0XT.

The bottom line: The 2016 is a smart middle ground if you want the Forester’s space, safety, and all-wheel-drive appeal without paying more for the next year. If you are price-sensitive, the 2015 can save you money, while the 2017 makes sense if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.