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2016 Subaru Forester

2016 Subaru Forester

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Overview

The Subaru Forester ranks highly among similar vehicles, particularly in the categories of comfort, suitability for tall people, and off-road capabilities. It holds the top spot on the Most Comfortable Small SUVs list, indicating superior interior comfort and ride quality. It also ranks second on the Best Small SUVs for Tall People list, suggesting ample headroom and legroom. Additionally, its second-place ranking on the Best Off-road Small SUVs list demonstrates its strong performance in off-road conditions. These rankings suggest that the Subaru Forester is a versatile and comfortable small SUV, making it a strong contender in its category.

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Overview (Final Score: B)
The 2016 Subaru Forester is a small crossover competing in a segment full of excellent choices. Yet it manages to continue to thrive thanks to the legendary Subaru capability and high marks for family-use versatility and ergonomics. The Forester may be somewhat plain to look at when sitting in a parking lot full of its rivals, but few can boast the overall package of excellence this crossover brings when a closer look is had.

The 2016 Forester sees several updates this year to include a much more intuitive and capable touchscreen interface (the next-generation StarLink), now on a standard 6.2-inch screen that upgrades to 7 inches in some models and packages. Other highlights of the Forester include an above-par backseat experience, a huge and usable cargo space, and a high value proposition for the buyer.

The Forester is a compact, five-seat crossover that comes standard with all-wheel drive and a choice of two powertrains and six trim levels.

What We Loved About the 2016 Subaru Forester


  • Excellent bang for the buck overall.

  • Interior ergonomics and overall daily-use is very good.

  • Has a solid, predictable, and well-earned reputation for capability.


 

What We Didn't Love About the 2016 Subaru Forester


  • Interior is not as classy as some options.

  • The exterior of the Forester is plain-Jane compared to most rivals.

  • Lack of a 2WD option means others may have better fuel economy.


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Exterior View (7/10 relative to market)
The 2016 Subaru Forester is about as contemporary as they come in it exterior looks. Some of the old square-bodied Forester that made this crossover popular are still there, but the Forester is now much more refined and modern in its look. Rounded edges and a changed roofline bring a sportier appeal now.

The 2016 Forester is marked by a less accented grille with the open face having a more car-like appearance. The flat hood above keeps this theme while the flared, but not muscular fenders finish the sedan-esque front end. Sheet metal on the Forester's sides is simple, but stylish. A character line below the beltline holds the straight body look, allowing the belt and roof lines for the greenhouse to curve towards one another. This creates a pinched curvature for the roofline, which is otherwise straight, giving the 2016 Forester a sporty appeal without sacrificing interior headroom for it.

At the rear, sharp tail lamps flank an otherwise flat and wide-opening rear hatch. A spoiler up top completes the airflow, as does the slight upward curve to the bumper.

The look is, overall, a simple, contemporary one that allows the 2016 Subaru Forester to retain many of its square-bodied advantages for access and interior room without looking blocky or outdated. The tradeoff is that the Forester doesn't stand out in the crowd and blends into the parking lot, having little fanfare.

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Interior Comfort, Quality, Ergonomics (9/10)
As a product line, Subaru vehicles are not known for their flashy interiors. Simple and functional are the norm in a Suby and the Forester follows that philosophy. That's not to say that the 2016 Forester lacks amenities or comfort, just that the focus is on functionality and usefulness, not making things pretty. It's more adult and grown up, if you prefer, and is very easy to get used to once you're in it.

The 2016 Forester has three things that will immediately jump out at those who first get into the crossover. First, the driver's controls are so simplified that they're intuitive. Second, the rear seats are some of the best in the business with a higher seating position than is the norm, which affords better hip and thigh comfort as well as a better view - all without losing headroom, surprisingly enough. Third, the Forester has wide-opening doors with tall entries, making it easy to get in and out. These are the beginnings of the ergonomics that the Forester's interior designers seem to have obsessed over.

Quality materials are found throughout the Forester and everything in the crossover appears solid and able to take abuse without complaint. Things aren't exactly plain to look at, but they aren't showy either.

In the front, seating is spacious and well-done, with enough firmness to keep the Subaru "hey, I'm just here to drive you to places where fun things happen" vibe. The rear seating is also surprisingly spacious and comfortable, with even the middle position having more legroom than would be expected in the small crossover segment. The outboard seats are very good too, with a lot of shoulder and headroom for the class.

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Cargo is a shining point in the 2016 Forester as well. With all seats up, there is 34.4 cubic feet of space to fill. A square rear hatch opening and low floow with a small sill all add up to easy use of this area. When the rear seats are folded down, the cargo opens up to a massive 74.7 cubic feet, leading the small crossover class in roominess.

One big caveat with all of this applause for the 2016 Forester is that the headroom and cargo space are dependent on not having the (admittedly beautiful) panoramic sunroof. Adding that lowers the interior roof by about half an inch or so, which doesn't impede passenger headroom too much, but it does cut down cargo space and make the rear loading area less square at the top.

Technology (9/10)
Technology has not been a strong suit for the Forester in the past, but that all changes with the 2016 model year. A 6.2-inch touchscreen and Subaru's StarLink infotainment system with smartphone and app integration is now standard in all Forester models. This upgrades in some packages and trims to a 7-inch screen with better graphics and a more intuitive interface with smartphone-like gesture controls.

In either case, the StarLink system is far better than it has been and is a big leg up from the 2015 model year. App integration with popular smartphone apps like Aha, Pandora, iHeartRadio and Stitcher is now built-in and the interface, while it has some quirks, is much easier to use. Our main complaint is that very positive selections (lingering on the button) are required which can be distracting when it doesn't work as fast as you'd like. In most uses, however, the new Subaru StarLink interface is excellent.

Remote services are also available, most revolving around safety (below).

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Fuel Economy (9/10)
Fuel economy has always been a surprising strong point in Subaru vehicles, which are usually known for their excellent all-wheel drive drivetrains. In the 2016 Forester, fuel economy is good, being above average for the class when compared to many AWD-equipped rivals. Competitors with two-wheel drive options, of course, are generally better at the pump.

The standard 2.5i models have solid economy numbers at 27 mpg combined, with 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. These numbers drop significantly for those who opt for the manual transmission in the base model, lowering them to 25 mpg combined.

The upgraded 2.0XT model has more performance, but sacrifices some fuel economy to get it. The EPA rates this engine at 25 mpg combined, with 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Real world driving will not likely return those figures, however, as our test model was difficult to "drive nice" due to its fun nature and punchy off-line performance. So those who upgrade to this turbocharged option should be forewarned that their results are not likely to match the EPA's estimates.

Predicted Reliability, Initial Quality Ratings (8/10)
Reliability ratings for the 2016 model year are hard to come by at this point, but the 2015 model was a mixed bag. There were no safety recalls for the 2015 Forester and have been none for the 2016 either. The J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study rated the 2015 model as "About Average" for reliability, but other rating outlets such as Consumer Reports gave the Forester top marks last year. The Subaru brand, overall, enjoys a very high reliability expectation among consumers.

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Safety (8/10)
The 2016 Subaru Forester features a lot of safety equipment for the class. A rearview camera, driver's knee airbag, side curtain airbags, and more are all standard equipment. Upgraded models include StarLink Safety Plus telematics, which includes emergency assistance and automatic collision notification, among other things. Remote services and stolen vehicle recovery are available as add-on packages. So are advanced safety systems such as forward collision warning and mitigation, lane departure warning, etc. through the EyeSight package.

In crash testing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates the 2016 Forester with five stars overall, with four stars for frontal crash and rollover and five stars for side crash protection.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Traffic Safety rated the 2015 Forester as a Top Safety Pick Plus winner, giving it top scores across the board. The IIHS has not rated the 2016 model year, but we suspect that this rating will hold over.

Performance (9/10)
There are two engines and two transmission combinations for the 2016 Subaru Forester. Both engines are, of course, signature Subaru boxer-style horizontally opposed configurations. This is a well-balanced engine design and imparts to all Subaru models the smooth operation they're known for.

Most models come equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that outputs 170 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. This engine is featured in all models with a "2.5i" designation. The base model Forester has a five-speed manual transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT) option. Both are in all-wheel drive as standard.

The majority of drivers can expect that the 2.5L engine will do well for them, though the manual transmission does add some spunk to it thanks to the extra control it gives. Most casual drivers will greatly enjoy Subaru's very well-done CVT, which has good manners and generally low noise levels on the road. It adjusts well to various conditions and doesn't hesitate to ramp up RPM levels when the throttle is pressed.

The upgraded engine option for the 2016 Forester is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the 2.0XT model. This engine outputs a respectable 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The CVT is standard here and is the only option. AWD is also standard, of course. With the 2.0L engine option, the Forester becomes a quick little drive with 6.5-second 0-60 times being easily achieved. That's better than most in this class and it makes the 2016 Forester 2.0XT a sporty option without sacrificing interior space or versatility.

In any powertrain choice, though, the 2016 Subaru Forester is still a Suby, with strong capability in inclement weather and with more off-road "get there" ability than many in this class can boast. Like all Subaru's, the Forester is both family-friendly and rugged, with a composed highway drive, nimble around-town feel, and "go up the mountain on the weekend" vibe.

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Pricing and Value (10/10)
The strong point of most Subaru models is in value. Initial purchase price is about average for the segment, though real-world purchase prices are often higher due to the general lack of incentives given by Subaru to encourage buyers. Where most of the Forester's competitors will see dealer-based incentives as a draw towards a buy, the Subaru lineup rarely sees these. On the flip side of that, though, Subaru vehicles, including the Forester, enjoy high resale values.

This plus the value versus packaging and fuel economy puts the 2016 Subaru Forester as a top value-oriented buy in our assessment.

Total Score and Competitive Comparison (69/80, 86%)
The competition in the small crossover class is heavy. Great contenders are to be found on nearly every lot in dealership row. The 2016 Forester is a great option for overall ergonomics and versatility, but other options can offer a more engaging drive or a more upscale interior experience.

The Hyundai Tucson, newly revamped this year, is a solid contender against the Forester on all fronts. The Mazda CX-5 is a good-looking crossover inside and out with a fun drive dynamic. The Ford Escape is another value-oriented choice with a smart road presence. The Honda CR-V is a best-seller in the segment for overall excellence as well. These are all strong contenders, but the mixture of family ergonomics and daily-use excellence, not to mention Subaru's legendary all-weather capability, keep the 2016 Forester in the running.

The 2016 Subaru Forester is a solid, capable crossover with plenty to offer small families and adventure seekers who don't need extreme offroad capability. The Forester's ability to get you there is a reputation well-earned and its simplistic elegance is a draw that many find compelling.

2016 Subaru Forester Trims

Trim Engine Drive Train MSRP
AWD 2.5i 4dr Wagon 6M 4 Cylinder AWD 22395
AWD 2.5i 4dr Wagon CVT 4 Cylinder AWD 23395
AWD 2.5i Premium 4dr Wagon 6M 4 Cylinder AWD 25295
AWD 2.5i Premium 4dr Wagon CVT 4 Cylinder AWD 25795
AWD 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon 4 Cylinder AWD 28795
AWD 2.5i Touring 4dr Wagon 4 Cylinder AWD 30795
AWD 2.0XT Premium 4dr Wagon 4 Cylinder AWD 29195
AWD 2.0XT Touring 4dr Wagon 4 Cylinder AWD 33795

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