Skip to main content

2016 Subaru Forester consumer reviews

$29,195 starting MSRP
side view of 2016 Forester Subaru
(158 reviews)
91% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.5
  • Interior 4.4
  • Performance 4.6
  • Value 4.6
  • Exterior 4.5
  • Reliability 4.6
Explore the 2016 Subaru Forester
Shop the 2016 Subaru Forester

service departments

The car is great, my 3rd forester and each one is an improvement, but for repairs you need to go to a dealership and there lies the problem. With an emphasis on lies.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
25 people out of 29 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Waste of money.

Rides rough. Visibility to rear and sides poor. Constant repairs, expensive. Currently 2 months without it. It's sitting at the dealership waiting on a steering rack. Rear brakes replaced twice. This car less than 60k miles.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 2.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
19 people out of 23 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Better choices out there.

I had the top of the line touring model. Engine still burns oil. Not able to go 5,000 miles between oil changes without oil light on dash coming on. Worse car for heat in the winter, very very very weak, and I changed the coolant and thermostat at the dealership and it still did not help. The AC is weak too on very warm days, hot days just open your windows instead. Front collision detection system, will brake car automatically but not good when you have someone close behind you. The front eyesite monitoring system does not work at all in acclimate weather.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 3.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
15 people out of 17 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

In love with this vehicle

I've never owned a Subaru before but after purchasing the Forester, I may never own anything but a Subaru again! I love the Eyesight Drivers Assistant that it came equipped with. I can see why this car has one of the best safety ratings out there. The interior is very open, spacious, & comfortable and the panoramic sunroof is amazing! It drives and handles like a dream. I would recommend this car to anyone. You won't be disappointed!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
10 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Good for tall people and those with mobility issue

I was impressed how well I can see out of the car at all angles. It is difficult for me to turn my body due to neck, hip and back problems. I am 5'10" and have very long legs. This car also has alot of head and leg room. My daughter rides comfortably in her booster seat in the middle seat. I feel I have more control and better handling with this car then any other. I have had a Honda Accord, Volvo XC90, Toyota Corolla and Cadillac Deville in recent years. My only complaint is the front seats are uncomfortable. (My other car is a Deville which feels like a recliner.) There isn't anything fancy about the car but I just have the base model. I am happy with all the features and the gas mileage is awesome. There is a ton on truck space.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Great SUV, lacks storage.

It drives like a dream. I enjoy driving it and so does my husband. The visibility is awesome. It sticks to the ground and takes corners and curves well. It is comfortable and we have driven on several long trips with it. The drawback is storage. We had three people on one trip and with 3 suitcases, a cooler, and the sundry items you pick up, there was barely room for a passenger in the back. The ride was great even through some awful weather. Daily drive is great and I consistently get better gas mileage than on the sticker, unless my husband drives then it is worse. Lol.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

This 2016 Forester replace my 2003 Forester.

This 2016 Premium model has some wonderful upgrades but I wish that I could read the screen when the full sun obscures it. I really liked the more boxy design of my 2002 Premium, but I guess everything has to change.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Lots of power, smooth ride, great handling

This car is sper smooth beacuse of the AWD. The ride smoothness is waht led me to buy it. Great handling in all kinds of terrain. Comfortable on long rides. very reliable.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Very stylish while being a utility vehicle

It was a very practical vehicle and was one of the most fuel efficient cars I have ever owned and also one of the smoothest riding vehicles as well.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

2016 Forester Premium

It handles very easy. Better be careful with the gas pedal; though it only has, if I’m not mistaken, 186hp it accelerates very smoothly and next thing you know you are going 120+ mph. It happened to me the first time I drove it long distance. My oldest grandson likes the fact that it has plenty of leg room both front and back. His brother likes that the back seats very comfortable and he cannot feel the speed as you could in other models.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No