The 2016 Subaru Forester falls in a price range that extends from $22,295 for its base variant and goes up to $33,795 for the top-of-the-line trim. Amongst the trim levels, buyers have an option to choose from two engine and two transmission options. The feature-load is adequate even from the base variant and with the optional packages on offer, the SUV becomes all the more practical.

We Recommend

By providing six trim levels with a standard AWD and with two engine options, Subaru has aimed to cater to a large set of buyers with differing wants. Amongst the trims, we’d recommend opting for the 2016 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring for the best-in-class specifications and an impressive turbocharged engine unit with a standard CVT for likable ride quality.

The 2016 Subaru Forester features either of two engine options. The base unit is a 2.5L flat-4 engine that outputs 170hp and 174lb.-ft of torque. It gets connected to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and is available with a CVT unit as optional. It sprints from 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile run in 16.8 seconds, timings that are close to the segment standard.

The more powerful engine option is a turbocharged flat-4 engine that can produce 250hp and 258lb.-ft of torque. Unlike the base engine, it can be mated only to the CVT unit, however, we have no complaints about it, as both elements of the powertrain work well in tandem with one another. Each 2016 Subaru Forester is available with a standard AWD setup only.

When compared to the segment, each competitive SUV makes use of an inline-4 engine and is channeled as FWD variants. While the 2016 Honda CR-V makes use of a similar CVT unit as the Subaru, the 2016 Ford Escape and Kia Sportage make use of 6-speed automatic transmission setups. In terms of performance, the highest outputting Honda CR-V rated at 185hp and 181lb.-ft of torque manages to clock 8.3 seconds to the 60MPH mark. On the other hand, the Escape produces 168hp and 170lb.-ft of torque and takes 9.2 seconds to achieve a similar feat.

The 2016 Subaru Forester with the base engine and CVT unit is rated at 24 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. Combined, the SUV manages to average 27 miles per gallon of fuel. With the more powerful engine, the combined efficiency drops to 25MPG, which is still impressive for a car that belts out 250 horses of power. It comes equipped with a standard 15.9-gallon fuel tank and across all trims manages in excess of 350 city miles and almost 500 highway miles.

However, it is the 2016 Honda CR-V that gains ascendancy in the segment with its combined efficiency of 29 MPG, while both the Ford and Kia manage 25 and 24 MPG, respectively. In terms of fuel tank capacity, each SUV differs from the other only diminutively and while the Honda does lead in terms of city range managing 398 miles, the Subaru edges it on the highway by 4 miles.

The 2016 Subaru Forester’s interiors aren’t sheer luxury, rather they are practical and ergonomic to make the SUV an alluring proposition. The introduction of a touchscreen display unit as standard, makes the cabin design look more contemporary and complements well the small digital screen in the instrument cluster. The materials used are top-notch and there is ample storage space on the inside in the form of the glove box, central armrest, and door pockets.

The seats on offer are immensely comfortable and provide ample space for all five passengers on board. As one moves up from the base trim, functionalities like ventilation and heating can be added to the seats alongside lumbar support and power adjustability. In terms of cargo space as well, it leads the segment with a maximum trunk volume of 74.7 cubic feet.

When compared with the competitors, the Ford Escape has maximum legroom upfront and at the rear, it is the Honda CR-V that gives maximum comfort to the occupants; however, the Subaru provides proportional space for both the rows. In addition, they also fall short diminutively on cargo capacity, while the 2016 Kia Sportage lags behind in all aspects inside the cabin and even its cargo capacity of 54.6 cubic feet is the lowest in the segment.

Some of the salient interior features include:

• Cruise Control
• Front and Rear Cupholders
• Electric Power Steering
• Dual Vanity Mirrors
• Interior Air Filtration
• Steering Mounted Controls

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2016 Subaru Forester?

The 2016 Subaru Forester receives a major upgrade with the touchscreen display unit becoming a standard inclusion. With the base trim, the screen on offer is a 6.2-inch unit, while with all other trims make use of a larger 7-inch unit. Both these options come equipped with Subaru’s Starlink application, are connected to the rearview camera, and feature Bluetooth connectivity. Some other features include:

• USB Connection
• Radio Data System
• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Satellite Radio

The 2016 Subaru Forester looks on par with other SUVs in the segment. It’s brawny and muscular and adds to its appeal by looking luxurious with the chrome embellishments running through the body. Upfront, it looks subtle with the innocent-looking headlights wrapping themselves around the small yet prominent grille. From the side, it’s a proper SUV with the roof rails and both the 17/18-inch wheels bestow a proportional look. At the rear, it’s again a story of minimalistic design coupled with sheer athleticism stemming from the available rear spoiler.

The 2016 Subaru Forester’s dimensions are close to the segment standards. It is the longest SUV measuring 180.9 inches and has a wheelbase that extends to 103.9 inches. While it is the least wide car in the segment, its oneness lies in its aplomb off-roading capabilities, thanks to its total height of 66.4 inches and a ground clearance of 8.7 inches.

The 2016 Ford Escape has the longest wheelbase in the segment of 105.9 inches and it is also the heaviest in the lot weighing 3,598 lbs. On the other hand, it is the Kia Sportage that is the widest SUV having a total width of 73 inches and a wheelbase similar to the Subaru. In comparison with competitors, the Honda SUV is one of the smaller SUVs in terms of dimensions and even sports the lowest clearance from the ground of 6.3 inches.

 Some of the salient exterior features of the 2016 Subaru Forester include:

• 17/18-inch wheels
• All-season/Performance tires
• Trailer Hitch
• Splash Guard Kit
• Body-side molding kit

The 2016 Subaru Forester scores 5-star ratings in the crash tests conducted by the NHSTA and is also recognized as IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick+”. With the current year, while the standard list of safety specifications is somewhat similar, changes have been made to the optional packages for better performance. However, a blind-spot monitor is still not made available to the buyer, even as optional.

Some standard safety specifications include:

• Engine Immobilizer
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Anti-theft Alarm System
• Emergency Brake Assist
• Daytime Running Lights

If you’re in a constant dilemma while finalizing a compact SUV that is both multi-functional and easy to drive, look no further ahead than the 2016 Subaru Forester. It’s a cohesive unification of usefulness with practicality and will be a constant source of delight for those who love the occasional off-road adventures with its standard AWD setup. The cabin quality seems fine and so is its exterior build and design. With all favorable comments, we feel it is a brilliant choice in the market.