The 2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium is one safe and stylish crossover, whether you’re looking for an all-weather vehicle or you want something which fits into the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. Featuring plenty of technology at your fingertips and a plethora of creature comforts, the 2016 Subaru Forester offers premium refinements without the premium price-tag.
Starting at an MSRP of $25,795 ($28,540 as driven), the 2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium is the fourth generation of this venerable crossover. The 2016 iteration continues the same tall cargo space and athletic capability for those with active lifestyles while offering all the interior embellishments consumers are looking for.
2016 Subaru Forester Exterior
This Quartz Blue Pearl 2016 Subaru Forester has strong-looking front end fascia flanked by powerful halogen headlights and standard fog lights. The front grille features black plastics in geometric plastic meshing. Subaru’s logo stands out from the grill on a metallic wing.
A panoramic sunroof and stylish 17-inch wheels covered in all-season tires bring your eyes rearward toward the standard rear spoiler. Every chance we got, the windows were down and the sunroof was shining the glory of blue skies down upon the cabin; heaven for anyone with the ability to enjoy the outdoors…from inside the crossover.
Its 180 inches of length wasn’t troublesome in narrow Seattle streets and offers a rear-view camera and good visibility via a low-beltline.
2016 Subaru Forester Interior
On the inside, you’ll get phenomenally comfortable seating with 10-way power adjustability for drivers (4-way for passengers) and optional seat heaters sincere enough to warm you through your fleece (for those chilly evenings on the mountains).
The rear seats are spacious, though not heated, and easily fit three adults with minimal elbow pushing. Rear seats fold flat, 60/40, to allow even more cargo, though we didn’t need to utilize that with the ample 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up.
What we liked the most about the interior of the 2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium is that it didn’t feel chincy even though it has a low entry cost. There was soft-touch materials, metallic accents, and piano black for extra pizazz. It was an interior we’d feel more than happy with for years to come.
2016 Subaru Forester Infotainment
The 2016 Forester comes with the Subaru STARLINK system featuring a high-resolution, 7-inch touchscreen display connected to 6 speakers, dual USB ports, an AUX input, AM/FM and Sirius XM radio, and more. Testing the HD radio in the boonies provided crystal-clear audio, and the on-board apps for connected devices were easy to navigate to and use.
It also comes with standard hands-free voice commands for connected Bluetooth-enabled devices. When texted, I was able to reply hands-free with pre-made messages. The Subaru voice-command system was very reliable, too. There was no confusion between the 10 people named ‘Rob’ in my contacts list, which is refreshing.
Our tester Forester also came with on-board navigation which easily detoured us around bad traffic spots in Seattle, though this feature is optional.
2016 Subaru Forester Performance
Under the hood is a capable 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder BOXER engine with an estimated 32 mpg highway. Since we were exploring backroads we didn’t quite reach that, but still averaged in the high 20s.
It has Subaru’s Active Torque Split all-wheel drive system connected to a continuously variable transfer clutch. The CVT offered quick shifts while keeping you in the power sweet-spot for on-ramp acceleration.
This is a partially zero-emissions vehicle (PZEV) which means that the 2016 Subaru Forester is also eco-friendly.
2016 Subaru Forester Safety
The 2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i also came with Subaru’s optional EyeSight safety system featuring adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, pre-collision braking, and steering-responsive fog lights.
Even in the full traffic of Seattle, the 2016 Subaru Forester’s adaptive cruise controls performed marvelously; easy-breezy for stop and go traffic along I-5.
It also comes with high-strength steel roof pillars, airbags for all, a security alarm and STARLINK S.O.S. emergency assistance.
2016 Subaru Forester Conclusions
It goes without saying that the 2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium is an all-weather vehicle which fits in well on local roads. For a low price, you’ll get premium embellishments, standard creature comforts, and a build quality that many can’t compete with.
For under $30,000, the Subaru Forester offers heated seats, premium audio and infotainment, the penultimate in safety systems, and an engine that will leave others in the dust. We approve wholeheartedly.
To test drive the 2016 Subaru Forester, please visit Suburu.com or drop by a local retailer today!
