| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Affordable sticker price | Base feels a bit underpowered | Standard infotainment touchscreen |
Aplomb off-roading capabilities | Absence of manual transmission on 2.0XT trims | New Safety Packages |
Cogent powertrain |
$23,395
price170 hp @ 5800 rpm
horsepower174 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm
torque6-Speed CVT w/od
transmission2.5L 4cyl AWD 6CVT
engine-
basic warrantyAffordable SUVs are the bells and whistles, for they combine space and luxury with affable performance and are highly frugal. The Subaru Forester as an embodiment of the segment is not a categorized leader, rather it performs appreciably in each aspect. It’s safe and reliable and comes equipped with a large number of standard safety specifications that reassure the buyer of its capabilities.
By providing six trim levels with a standard AWD and with two engine options, Subaru has aimed to cater to a large set of buyers with differing wants. Amongst the trims, we’d recommend opting for the 2016 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring for the best-in-class specifications and an impressive turbocharged engine unit with a standard CVT for likable ride quality.
Priced at $22,395, the 2016 Forester vaunts a commodious cabin, and most importantly it offers two potent engine options with a standard all-wheel drivetrain. With the current MY, changes to the SUV seem minimal. A touchscreen infotainment unit is now available as standard and Subaru has also sought to introduce newer safety packages. It competes head-to-head with the likes of other compact SUVs including Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage.
The 2016 Subaru Forester falls in a price range that extends from $22,295 for its base variant and goes up to $33,795 for the top-of-the-line trim. Amongst the trim levels, buyers have an option to choose from two engine and two transmission options. The feature-load is adequate even from the base variant and with the optional packages on offer, the SUV becomes all the more practical.
|
Trims |
2.5i |
2.5i Premium |
2.5i Limited |
2.0XT Premium |
2.5i Touring |
2.0XT Touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (Manual) |
$22,295 |
$25,295 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
MSRP (CVT) |
$22,395 |
$25,795 |
$28,795 |
$29,195 |
$30,795 |
$33,795 |
|
Key Features |
17-inch wheels |
Adds to or retains features of 2.5i |
Adds to or retains features of 2.5i Premium |
2.0L turbocharged engine |
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors |
2.0L turbocharged engine |
|
|
Cruise Control |
Heated Mirrors |
Rear Spoiler |
Performance tires- front and rear |
Auto-leveling headlights |
Performance tires- front and rear |
|
|
6.2-inch touchscreen unit |
7-inch touchscreen unit |
Leather Steering Wheel |
7-inch touchscreen unit |
Dual-zone Climate Control |
Dual-zone Climate Control |
|
|
Rearview Camera |
HD and Satellite Radio |
Power Liftgate |
HD and Satellite Radio |
Keyless Ignition |
Keyless Ignition |
|
|
Bluetooth Connectivity |
Heated Front seats |
Fog Lamps |
Heated Front seats |
HID Headlights |
HID Headlights |
|
|
Power Mirrors |
Powered driver seat with lumbar |
Optional Adaptive Cruise Control |
Powered driver seat with lumbar |
Harman Kardon Sound System |
Harman Kardon Sound System |
We Recommend
By providing six trim levels with a standard AWD and with two engine options, Subaru has aimed to cater to a large set of buyers with differing wants. Amongst the trims, we’d recommend opting for the 2016 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring for the best-in-class specifications and an impressive turbocharged engine unit with a standard CVT for likable ride quality.
The 2016 Subaru Forester features either of two engine options. The base unit is a 2.5L flat-4 engine that outputs 170hp and 174lb.-ft of torque. It gets connected to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and is available with a CVT unit as optional. It sprints from 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile run in 16.8 seconds, timings that are close to the segment standard.
The more powerful engine option is a turbocharged flat-4 engine that can produce 250hp and 258lb.-ft of torque. Unlike the base engine, it can be mated only to the CVT unit, however, we have no complaints about it, as both elements of the powertrain work well in tandem with one another. Each 2016 Subaru Forester is available with a standard AWD setup only.
|
Models |
Subaru Forester |
Honda CR-V |
Ford Escape |
Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$23,395 |
$23,845 |
$23,590 |
$22,150 |
|
Engine |
2.5L flat-4 |
2.4L inline-4 |
2.5L inline-4 |
2.4L inline-4 |
|
Transmission |
CVT |
CVT |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Horsepower |
170hp |
185 hp |
168 hp |
182 hp |
|
Torque (lb.-ft) |
174lb.-ft |
181 ft-lbs |
170 ft-lbs |
177 ft-lbs |
|
0-60 MPH |
8.7 seconds |
8.3 seconds |
9.2 seconds |
8.8 seconds |
|
Quarter mile |
16.8 seconds |
16.6 seconds |
16.9 seconds |
16.8 seconds |
|
Top Speed (mph) |
126 MPH |
130 MPH |
N/A |
115 MPH |
When compared to the segment, each competitive SUV makes use of an inline-4 engine and is channeled as FWD variants. While the 2016 Honda CR-V makes use of a similar CVT unit as the Subaru, the 2016 Ford Escape and Kia Sportage make use of 6-speed automatic transmission setups. In terms of performance, the highest outputting Honda CR-V rated at 185hp and 181lb.-ft of torque manages to clock 8.3 seconds to the 60MPH mark. On the other hand, the Escape produces 168hp and 170lb.-ft of torque and takes 9.2 seconds to achieve a similar feat.
The 2016 Subaru Forester with the base engine and CVT unit is rated at 24 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. Combined, the SUV manages to average 27 miles per gallon of fuel. With the more powerful engine, the combined efficiency drops to 25MPG, which is still impressive for a car that belts out 250 horses of power. It comes equipped with a standard 15.9-gallon fuel tank and across all trims manages in excess of 350 city miles and almost 500 highway miles.
|
Models |
Subaru Forester |
Honda CR-V |
Ford Escape |
Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (city) |
24 |
26 |
22 |
21 |
|
MPG (highway) |
32 |
33 |
31 |
28 |
|
MPG (combined) |
27 |
29 |
25 |
24 |
|
Fuel tank capacity (gal.) |
15.9 |
15.3 |
15.5 |
15.3 |
|
Range (miles) |
382/509 miles |
398/505 miles |
341/481 miles |
321/428 miles |
However, it is the 2016 Honda CR-V that gains ascendancy in the segment with its combined efficiency of 29 MPG, while both the Ford and Kia manage 25 and 24 MPG, respectively. In terms of fuel tank capacity, each SUV differs from the other only diminutively and while the Honda does lead in terms of city range managing 398 miles, the Subaru edges it on the highway by 4 miles.
The 2016 Subaru Forester’s interiors aren’t sheer luxury, rather they are practical and ergonomic to make the SUV an alluring proposition. The introduction of a touchscreen display unit as standard, makes the cabin design look more contemporary and complements well the small digital screen in the instrument cluster. The materials used are top-notch and there is ample storage space on the inside in the form of the glove box, central armrest, and door pockets.
The seats on offer are immensely comfortable and provide ample space for all five passengers on board. As one moves up from the base trim, functionalities like ventilation and heating can be added to the seats alongside lumbar support and power adjustability. In terms of cargo space as well, it leads the segment with a maximum trunk volume of 74.7 cubic feet.
|
Models |
Subaru Forester |
Honda CR-V |
Ford Escape |
Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front (head/shoulder/leg) (in.) |
41.4/57/43 |
39.9/58.6/41.3 |
39.9/56.0/43.1 |
39.1/56.7/41.4 |
|
Second (head/shoulder/leg) (in.) |
39.8/56.5/38 |
38.6/56.4/38.3 |
39.0/55.3/36.8 |
38.5/55.1/37.9 |
|
Cargo Capacity to 2nd row (cu.-ft) |
34.4 |
37.2 |
34.3 |
26.1 |
|
Cargo Capacity to 1st row(cu.-ft) |
74.7 |
70.9 |
67.8 |
54.6 |
When compared with the competitors, the Ford Escape has maximum legroom upfront and at the rear, it is the Honda CR-V that gives maximum comfort to the occupants; however, the Subaru provides proportional space for both the rows. In addition, they also fall short diminutively on cargo capacity, while the 2016 Kia Sportage lags behind in all aspects inside the cabin and even its cargo capacity of 54.6 cubic feet is the lowest in the segment.
Some of the salient interior features include:
The 2016 Subaru Forester receives a major upgrade with the touchscreen display unit becoming a standard inclusion. With the base trim, the screen on offer is a 6.2-inch unit, while with all other trims make use of a larger 7-inch unit. Both these options come equipped with Subaru’s Starlink application, are connected to the rearview camera, and feature Bluetooth connectivity. Some other features include:
The 2016 Subaru Forester looks on par with other SUVs in the segment. It’s brawny and muscular and adds to its appeal by looking luxurious with the chrome embellishments running through the body. Upfront, it looks subtle with the innocent-looking headlights wrapping themselves around the small yet prominent grille. From the side, it’s a proper SUV with the roof rails and both the 17/18-inch wheels bestow a proportional look. At the rear, it’s again a story of minimalistic design coupled with sheer athleticism stemming from the available rear spoiler.
The 2016 Subaru Forester’s dimensions are close to the segment standards. It is the longest SUV measuring 180.9 inches and has a wheelbase that extends to 103.9 inches. While it is the least wide car in the segment, its oneness lies in its aplomb off-roading capabilities, thanks to its total height of 66.4 inches and a ground clearance of 8.7 inches.
|
Models |
Subaru Forester |
Honda CR-V |
Ford Escape |
Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3,391 |
3,358 |
3,598 |
3,280 |
|
Length (in.) |
180.9 |
179.4 |
178.1 |
174.8 |
|
Width (in.) |
70.7 |
71.6 |
72.4 |
73.0 |
|
Height (in.) |
66.4 |
64.7 |
66.1 |
64.4 |
|
Ground clearance (in.) |
8.7 |
6.3 |
7.9 |
6.8 |
|
Wheelbase (in) |
103.9 |
103.1 |
105.9 |
103.9 |
The 2016 Ford Escape has the longest wheelbase in the segment of 105.9 inches and it is also the heaviest in the lot weighing 3,598 lbs. On the other hand, it is the Kia Sportage that is the widest SUV having a total width of 73 inches and a wheelbase similar to the Subaru. In comparison with competitors, the Honda SUV is one of the smaller SUVs in terms of dimensions and even sports the lowest clearance from the ground of 6.3 inches.
Some of the salient exterior features of the 2016 Subaru Forester include:
The 2016 Subaru Forester scores 5-star ratings in the crash tests conducted by the NHSTA and is also recognized as IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick+”. With the current year, while the standard list of safety specifications is somewhat similar, changes have been made to the optional packages for better performance. However, a blind-spot monitor is still not made available to the buyer, even as optional.
Some standard safety specifications include:
If you’re in a constant dilemma while finalizing a compact SUV that is both multi-functional and easy to drive, look no further ahead than the 2016 Subaru Forester. It’s a cohesive unification of usefulness with practicality and will be a constant source of delight for those who love the occasional off-road adventures with its standard AWD setup. The cabin quality seems fine and so is its exterior build and design. With all favorable comments, we feel it is a brilliant choice in the market.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Subaru Forester Ranked #10 | 9.6 sec | 17.4 sec | 115 mph | |||
2016 Buick Envision Ranked #1 | 7 sec | - | - | |||
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Ranked #2 | 7.8 sec | 16.2 sec | - | |||
2016 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #3 | 8.2 sec | 16.6 sec | 113 mph | |||
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #3 | 8.2 sec | - | - | |||
2016 Jeep Compass Ranked #4 | 8.3 sec | 16.6 sec | 104 mph |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Subaru Forester Ranked #3 | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 27 mpg | 15.9 gal. | 381.60/508.80 mi. | |||
2016 Honda CR-V Ranked #1 | 26 mpg | 33 mpg | 29 mpg | 15.3 gal. | 397.8/504.9 mi. | |||
2016 Honda HR-V Ranked #2 | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 330/448.8 mi. | |||
2016 Nissan Rogue Ranked #2 | 26 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | 14.5 gal. | 377/478.5 mi. | |||
2016 Subaru Crosstrek Ranked #4 | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | 15.9 gal. | 365.70/492.90 mi. | |||
2016 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #4 | 24 mpg | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | 15.9 gal. | 381.6/492.9 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Subaru Forester Ranked #8 | 180.9 in. | 70.7 in. | 66.4 in. | 8.7 in. | 103.9 in. | |||
2016 Chevrolet Equinox Ranked #1 | 187.8 in. | 72.5 in. | 66.3 in. | 6.9 in. | 112.5 in. | |||
2016 GMC Terrain Ranked #2 | 185.5 in. | 72.8 in. | 66.3 in. | 6.9 in. | 112.5 in. | |||
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #3 | 184.6 in. | 74 in. | 66.1 in. | 7.3 in. | 106.3 in. | |||
2016 Buick Envision Ranked #4 | 183.7 in. | 72.4 in. | 66.8 in. | 8 in. | 107.9 in. | |||
2016 Nissan Rogue Ranked #5 | 182.3 in. | 72.4 in. | 66.3 in. | 7.4 in. | 106.5 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Subaru Forester Ranked #8 | 34.4 cu.ft. | 108.3 cu.ft. | 68.5 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Jeep Patriot Ranked #1 | 23 cu.ft. | 104.4 cu.ft. | 63.4 cu.ft. | Jeep USA | ||
2016 Buick Envision Ranked #2 | 26.9 cu.ft. | 100.6 cu.ft. | 57.3 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Ford Escape Ranked #3 | 34.3 cu.ft. | 98.1 cu.ft. | 67.8 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #4 | 38.4 cu.ft. | 101.9 cu.ft. | 73.4 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Honda HR-V Ranked #5 | 24.3 cu.ft. | 100.1 cu.ft. | 72.4 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Subaru Forester Ranked #1 | 68.5 cu.ft. | 34.4 cu.ft. | 68.5 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Ranked #2 | 56.1 cu.ft. | 23.8 cu.ft. | 56.1 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Kia Sportage Ranked #3 | 13.5 cu.ft. | 26.1 cu.ft. | 54.6 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #4 | 71.5 cu.ft. | 35.4 cu.ft. | 71.5 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #5 | 73.4 cu.ft. | 38.4 cu.ft. | 73.4 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Hyundai Tucson Ranked #6 | 8.6 cu.ft. | 31 cu.ft. | 61.9 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Subaru Forester Ranked #5 | 1500 lbs. | 1114 lbs. | 3296 lbs. | |||
2016 Jeep Cherokee Ranked #1 | 4500 lbs. | 1000 lbs. | 3655 lbs. | Jeep USA | ||
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Ranked #2 | 2200 lbs. | 1195 lbs. | 3404 lbs. | |||
2016 Jeep Patriot Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | 925 lbs. | 3223 lbs. | Jeep USA | ||
2016 Kia Sportage Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | 1328 lbs. | 3280 lbs. | |||
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | 1391 lbs. | 3459 lbs. |
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POPULAR TAGS
User Overall Rating
Posted On: August 10, 2024
The 2015 Subaru Forester is a reliable vehicle that requires minimal maintenance making it a great choice for those looking for a hassle-free driving experience. Its sporty design adds a touch of style to its practicality appealing to drivers who want both performance and functionality. The all-wheel drive system provides added traction and stability making it a safe option for driving in various...
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 30, 2024
For an SUV it gets great gas mileage at 32 highway and 28 city. Since it is a turbo i have no fear of merging into traffic. I bought this new in 2015 and refuse to give it up...it has all safery features and is simply one of the most comfortable rides.
