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2016 model year

What's new for 2016.

The 2016 Forester received a major infotainment overhaul with the introduction of the Subaru STARLINK systems. The base model received a 6.2-inch touchscreen, while higher trims were equipped with a 7.0-inch unit featuring multi-touch gestures and SiriusXM capability.

Safety was also enhanced with the addition of STARLINK Safety Plus, which provided emergency SOS assistance and automatic collision notification. Steering-responsive fog lights were added to models equipped with EyeSight, further improving night-time visibility.

Technology

  • New STARLINK 6.2" and 7.0" Multimedia systems
  • Introduction of STARLINK Safety and Security telematics

Safety

  • Steering-responsive fog lights added to EyeSight-equipped models

Trims

8 configurations

Select a trim to see its specs and equipment.

2016 Subaru Forester

2.5i

Horsepower
170
City MPG
24
Highway MPG
31
Engine
2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER
Horsepower
170 hp
Torque
174 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT
City / highway MPG
24 / 31
Seating
5 seats
Wheel size
17 in
Ground clearance
8.7 in
Cargo, seats up
34.4 cu ft
Towing capacity
1500 lb

Standard equipment

  • SUBARU STARLINK 6.2" Multimedia
  • Rear-Vision Camera
  • 7 airbags
  • Incline Start Assist

The trims, side by side.

Scroll sideways to see every trim →

"Optional" means the feature needs an upgrade or package.

8 of 8 trims
2016 Subaru Forester · Full trim comparison
Trim
2.5i
2.5i Premium
2.5i Limited
2.5i Touring
2.0XT Premium
2.0XT Touring
2.5i Manual
2.5i Premium Manual
City / Hwy / Combined (MPG)24 / 31 / 2724 / 31 / 2724 / 31 / 2724 / 31 / 2723 / 27 / 2523 / 27 / 2522 / 28 / 2522 / 28 / 25
Horsepower170 hp170 hp170 hp170 hp250 hp250 hp170 hp170 hp
Seating capacity5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats
2.5i2.5i Premium2.5i Limited2.5i Touring2.0XT Premium2.0XT Touring2.5i Manual2.5i Premium Manual
DrivetrainSubaru Symmetrical All-Wheel DriveSubaru Symmetrical All-Wheel DriveSubaru Symmetrical AWD with X-MODE and Hill Descent ControlSubaru Symmetrical AWD with X-MODE and Hill Descent ControlSubaru Symmetrical AWD with X-MODE and Hill Descent ControlSubaru Symmetrical AWD with X-MODE and Hill Descent ControlSubaru Symmetrical All-Wheel DriveSubaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionLineartronic CVTLineartronic CVTLineartronic CVTLineartronic CVTLineartronic CVT with manual-mode paddle shiftersLineartronic CVT with manual-mode paddle shiftersManual 6-spdManual 6-spd
Name2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.0-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged SUBARU BOXER2.0-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER
Type4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed
Displacement l2.52.52.52.5222.52.5
Aspirationnaturally aspiratednaturally aspiratednaturally aspiratednaturally aspiratedturbochargedturbochargednaturally aspiratednaturally aspirated
Valvetrain16-valve with Active Valve Control System16-valve with Active Valve Control System16-valve with Active Valve Control System16-valve with Active Valve Control System16-valve with Dual Active Valve Control System16-valve with Dual Active Valve Control System16-valve with Active Valve Control System16-valve with Active Valve Control System
Horsepower170170170170250250170170
Horsepower RPM58005800580058005600560058005800
Torque lb ft174174174174258258174174
Torque RPM41004100410041004800480041004100
Fuel typeUnleaded gasoline (87 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)Premium unleaded gasoline recommended (91 octane)Premium unleaded gasoline recommended (91 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)
2.5i2.5i Premium2.5i Limited2.5i Touring2.0XT Premium2.0XT Touring2.5i Manual2.5i Premium Manual
City MPG2424242423232222
Highway MPG3131313127272828
Combined MPG2727272725252525
2.5i2.5i Premium2.5i Limited2.5i Touring2.0XT Premium2.0XT Touring2.5i Manual2.5i Premium Manual
Length (in)180.9180.9180.9180.9180.9180.9180.9180.9
Width (in)70.770.770.770.770.770.770.770.7
Width with mirrors (in)80.580.580.580.580.580.580.580.5
Height (in)66.466.466.466.466.466.466.466.4
Wheelbase (in)103.9103.9103.9103.9103.9103.9103.9103.9
Ground clearance (in)8.78.78.78.78.78.78.78.7
2.5i2.5i Premium2.5i Limited2.5i Touring2.0XT Premium2.0XT Touring2.5i Manual2.5i Premium Manual
Curb weight lb32963296329632963296329632963296
Towing capacity lb15001500150015001500150015001500
Passenger volume (cu ft)108.3108.3108.3108.3108.3108.3108.3108.3
Cargo volume seats up (cu ft)34.434.434.434.434.434.434.434.4
Cargo volume max (cu ft)74.774.774.774.774.774.774.774.7
2.5i2.5i Premium2.5i Limited2.5i Touring2.0XT Premium2.0XT Touring2.5i Manual2.5i Premium Manual
Wheel size (in)1717171818181717
Wheel materialsteelaluminum-alloyaluminum-alloyaluminum-alloyaluminum-alloyaluminum-alloysteelaluminum-alloy
Wheel finishstyled steel5-spoke5-spokeHigh-luster silverHigh-luster silverHigh-luster silverstyled steel5-spoke
Tire spec225/60 R17 98H All-season225/60 R17 98H All-season225/60 R17 98H All-season225/60 R17 98H All-season225/60 R17 98H All-season225/60 R17 98H All-season225/60 R17 98H All-season225/60 R17 98H All-season
2.5i2.5i Premium2.5i Limited2.5i Touring2.0XT Premium2.0XT Touring2.5i Manual2.5i Premium Manual
Rear vision cameraYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
2.5i2.5i Premium2.5i Limited2.5i Touring2.0XT Premium2.0XT Touring2.5i Manual2.5i Premium Manual
SUBARU STARLINK 6.2" MultimediaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Rear-Vision CameraYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
7 airbagsYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Incline Start AssistYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Panoramic moonroof-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
10-way power adjustable driver’s seat-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
SUBARU STARLINK 7.0" Multimedia Plus-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
STARLINK Safety Plus-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
All-Weather Package-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
Leather-trimmed upholstery--YesYesYesYes--
Power rear gate--YesYesYesYes--
Automatic climate control--YesYesYesYes--
Fog lights--YesYesYesYes--
Auto-on/off headlights--YesYesYesYes--
HID headlights---YesYesYes--
Harman Kardon 440-watt amplifier and 8 speakers---YesYesYes--
Keyless Access with Push-button Start---YesYesYes--
Dual-zone automatic climate control---YesYesYes--
One-touch folding rear seatbacks---YesYesYes--
Sport-tuned suspension----YesYes--
SI-DRIVE----YesYes--
18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels----YesYes--
Sport cloth upholstery----YesYes--
Rear spoiler----YesYes--
Harman Kardon 440-watt audio system-----Yes--