Subaru Forester Starting Price Up $200 for 2016
Subaru’s most popular car got some new tech and safety features for 2016 and these upgrades won’t cost much. When the 2016 Forester goes on sale in August, the base 2.5i will start at $23,245, which is $200 more than the 2015 model.
Related: 2016 Subaru Forester Gets New Multimedia System, Goes on Sale in August
Other trims come with a $700 price hike: Premium models start at $26,145; Limiteds at $29,645 and Tourings at $31,645; all prices include an $850 destination charge.
A new safety feature on 2016 models equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight system adds adaptive fog lights, which provide enhanced visibility in the direction the driver steers. EyeSight, which uses a sophisticated camera system to provide adaptive cruise control, precollision braking and lane departure warning, is available with option packages from $1,295 to $2,145 that offer varied combinations of navigation, all-weather features and premium audio upgrades. Equipped with EyeSight, the 2015 Forester earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest crashworthiness rating, Top Safety Pick Plus.
Also new for 2016 is the addition of Subaru’s Starlink Safety and Security system on all elevated trims. Two packages are available. The Starlink Safety Plus Package includes emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, automatic collision and maintenance notifications, and monthly vehicle diagnostic alerts. The Safety Plus & Security Plus Package adds stolen-vehicle recovery, security-alarm notification, keyless entry, and remote lock and unlock, horn, lights and vehicle locator.
Moreover, all elevated trims come standard with the upgraded Starlink multimedia system, which has a 7-inch touch-screen that allows the user to swipe and scroll like a smartphone. The system includes Bluetooth hands-free text messaging and two USB ports, as well as optional voice-activated navigation controls and weather and traffic notifications. The base model comes with a 6.2-inch display, Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone integration.
The all-wheel-drive Forester still comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and is mated to the six-speed manual transmission that comes with the base and Premium models. When paired with the continuously variable automatic transmission – a $1,000 extra on base models, $500 on Premium models and standard thereafter – fuel economy is estimated at 24/32/27 mpg city/highway/combined. Premium and Touring models are also available (for a $3,000 to $3,400 premium) with a direct-injected turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s good for 250 hp.
