The 2016 Subaru Forester lasts around 250,000 miles with minor sensor and paint issues reported. At $15,00 to $19,125, it’s a decent value for a compact SUV offering decent reliability and great safety features.
Is the 2016 Subaru Forester a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2016 is a good year for the Subaru Forester, it’s more reliable than older models, earning a high overall score. Owner reviews praise the luxury features, safety technology, as well as the quick turbocharged engine.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are good for a compact SUV, the seats are more comfortable than some competitors, cargo space is also great.
- Reliability 7/10 – There are a no widespread problems found on the 2016 Forester. Buyers should avoid models from 2014–2015, while 2016–2022 are more reliable.
- Performance 8/10 – The base 4-cylinder engine offers average power, while the turbocharged motor is quicker than most other small SUVs.
- Safety 9/10 – The Forester is a very safe SUV earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include EyeSight which adds lane departure warning, forward collision warning, along with automatic braking.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 27 MPG giving 429 miles of range from the 15.9 gallon tank. Gas costs are $56 cheaper than average, at $195 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2016 Forester is a good value since it offers decent reliability paired with more advanced features than other compact SUVs.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Subaru Forester?
- Consumer Reports says the Subaru Forester stands out from the competition with a space-efficient design, with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Forester at 4.1/5, praising the passenger room throughout the cabin, but doesn’t like the loose steering.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Forester a 4.3/5 enjoying the advanced safety features, but owners don’t like the relatively basic interior.
What Common Problems Does the 2016 Subaru Forester Have?
Common problems found on the 2016 Subaru Forester include decreased power while accelerating, failure to start, as well as paint chipping issues. Overall, the problems are similar to other compact SUVs, although repair costs are slightly higher than the competition.
Decreased power, while accelerating, is a problem owners mention at around 35,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by a failed mass airflow sensor, which will throw the Forester into limp mode. Replacing the sensor is fairly easy, costing around $150, depending on local labor rates.
Failure to start is another issue brought up by some owners in the first 30,000 miles. There’s a brake sensor switch which has a high failure rate. Changing out the switch costs around $50, and is a very easy project.
Paint chipping issues have also been reported in the first 50,000 miles, especially on the front bumper and hood. The OEM paint seems to chip easier than some other cars on the market. Repainting the affected areas is the only way to solve the problem. A new paint job costs around $700 to $1,000 per panel.
There are 3 recalls on the 2016 Forester, which is better than other compact SUVs from 2016. The most serious recall covers the turbocharged intake duct which can crack, leading to the engine stalling. Subaru will replace the duct work on affected models for free. Other recalls cover brake lights and airbags, which are not mechanically serious.
How Long Will the 2016 Subaru Forester Last?
A well-maintained 2016 Subaru Forester should last around 250,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly more expensive than other SUVs, according to data from Repair Pal, at $547 per year.
Since many 2016 Forester models have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the oxygen sensors for $150, A/C condenser costing $550, as well as the front shocks which cost around $450.
It has been very reliable. I have only owned the car since august 2019 but I have not had to do any repairs to it.
Yes this car is very reliable. I have driven it from Maryland to Florida multiple times and have never had any issues. I have never taken this car into the shop for anything going wrong.
It is very reliable because of the eyesight features that help you drive safer and with more focus on the road. I have only had a few issues with the seat/airbags but it ended up being recalled and fixed great!
Very reliable. No problems. The vehicle is sturdy and strong with features. We never have issues with it.
It has been reliable for me, I haven't had any problems with the engine or drivetrain. It has had a recall recently with an issue on the brake lights though. Easily fixed.
I haven't experienced any problems yet, I did have one issue when I first bought it. The car was put in park and it wouldn't come out of park. I kept getting a notice that the brake system needed maintenance. Turned out there was some switch that needed to be replaced, and it was a easy fix and free since I just got the car. A quick google search and I was able to get the car out of park to get it home.
It is reliable so far no problems -although there is a recall on passenger side air bag that is still not available.
So far the only problem is I do not like that the back seats do not have air vents. I think every vehicle should have air vents in the back for kids.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good in the 2016 Subaru Forester with a standard 6.2-inch touchscreen stereo system. There’s an optional 7-inch touchscreen available with smartphone app integration. Safety tech is excellent with a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include lane departure warning, forward collision warning, as well as automatic emergency braking with the EyeSight driver-assistance package.
Is the 2016 Subaru Forester a Good Value?
Yes, the 2016 Subaru Forester is a good value since it’s reliable while also offering all-wheel-drive. Blue book prices range from $15,000 to $19,125, making it close in price to a Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5. When new, the price range was $22,395 to $33,795. Depreciation is similar to other compact SUVs, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Subaru Forester?
There are six models of the Subaru Forester offered in 2016, from the base 2.5i all the way up to more luxurious 2.0XT Touring.
2.5i is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Windows & Locks
- Cruise Control
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Rearview Camera
- USB Port
- 2-Inch Touchscreen
- Satellite Radio
- 4-Speaker Stereo
2.5i Premium is a step up, adding:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Panoramic Sunroof
- 8-Way Power Driver’s Seat
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- 6-Speaker Stereo System
2.5i Limited has features such as:
- Automatic Headlights
- Leather Seats
- Power Liftgate
- Rear Roof Spoiler
2.5i Touring offers upgrades including:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Xenon Headlights
- Keyless Ignition
- 8-Speaker Harmon Kardon Stereo System
2.0XT Premium is next in the lineup with:
- Sport Tuned Suspension
- Unique 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Upgraded Instrument Cluster
2.0XT Touring is the flagship model with:
- Premium Leather Seating
- Heated Exterior Mirrors
- Subaru EyeSight Safety Suite
- Adaptive Cruise Control
What Engines Come In the Subaru Forester?
- The base engine is an average 2.5L 4-cylinder which makes 170 horsepower while getting up to 27 MPG.
- A step up is the stronger 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder which generates 250 horsepower at up to 25 MPG. Performance is good, taking 6.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Subaru Forester Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Subaru Forester?
The 2016 Subaru Forester is very comfortable for a compact SUV with seating for up to 5 people. Seating is great throughout the Forester, with supportive seats made of high-quality materials.
Passenger room is great throughout the cabin with enough space for adults in both the front and back seats.
How Much Storage Space Does the Subaru Forester Have?
Cargo space is better than other compact SUVs on the market, with enough space for 5-6 suitcases in the cargo area behind the seats, and over 10 with the rear seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Subaru Forester was released in 2014, and replaced by the fifth generation in 2019.
2014: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new interior, exterior, and technology.
2015: Standard rearview camera added, new optional 18-inch wheels offered.
2016: Upgraded stereo system added with 6.2 or 7-inch touchscreen.
2017: EyeSight safety system has lane departure intervention, new headlights & front grille.
2018: Black Edition offers black exterior wheels, reverse automatic braking added.
2019: Fully redesigned for the fifth generation with more powerful engine, standard safety technology as well as more passenger room.
2020: Standard lane-centering assistance, updated all-weather package added to Premium model.
How Does the Subaru Forester Compare to the Competition?
The Subaru Forester ranks well among the competitive compact SUV market since it offers standard all-wheel-drive paired with a nice interior for the money.
The Subaru Outback is another wagon from Subaru which costs around $1,500 more. Where the Subaru Outback stands out is with better passenger room, while the Subaru Forester offers a more nimble driving experience. We recommend the Subaru Forester for most shoppers unless they need the extra room found in the Subaru Outback.
The Toyota RAV4 is another compact SUV which costs $2,000 more. Where the Toyota RAV4 stands out is with lower ownership costs, while the Subaru Forester offers standard all-wheel-drive. We recommend the Toyota RAV4 since they are slightly more reliable, although both are excellent compact SUVs worth checking out.
Do Owners Recommend the Subaru Forester?
Yes. The seating is comfortable, the window configuration offers a good view, the backup camera is helpful and I like the sound system.
Yes. It is very reliable, lasts a long time, and comfortable to both drive and ride in. I have never had to take this car into the shop.
Yes, I love my Subaru. It does well in all kinds of weather conditions and I always feel very safe when I drive it.
Yes it is. We always feel safe in it. We have used it for different travel. I love our vehicle and so does my family.
Yes it is, I like the all wheel drive and moonroof. For the size the gas mileage is great and there are limited blind spots.
Yes it is a very reliable vehicle. I feel safe driving this vehicle, especially with my children. Living in rural New Hampshire the weather is unpredictable and a all wheel drive vehicle is a no brainer. Switching from my front wheel drive dodge dart to a all wheel drive Subaru was the best decision I could've made for myself and my family.
It's ok - I do not like the speedometer it only has 10 mile increments - the same with the mileage to gas.
It is a very good vehicle! It is the best one I have owned so far! I bought it to get me through harsh winters and so far it is done a very good job.