2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited
Subaru Forester Details
Automatic
4 Cyl, 2.5L
Black
AWD
Gasoline
219,501 Miles
12780R
JF2SJAHC6GH490550
2.5i Limited
Features & Options
- 2 LCD Monitors In The Front
- Wireless Phone Connectivity
- Radio w/Seek-Scan Clock Speed Compensated Volume Control Steering Wheel Controls and Voice Activation
- 6 Speakers
- Integrated Roof Antenna
- Body-Colored Door Handles
- Perimeter/Approach Lights
- Express Open/Close Sliding Glass 1st And 2nd Row Sunroof w/Sunshade
- Galvanized Steel/Aluminum Panels
- Tires: P225/60R17 98H All-Season
- Variable Intermittent Wipers w/Heated Wiper Park
- Fixed Rear Window w/Wiper and Defroster
- Body-Colored Front Bumper
- Lip Spoiler
- Body-Colored Power Heated Side Mirrors w/Manual Folding
- Compact Spare Tire Mounted Inside Under Cargo
- Chrome Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
- Steel Spare Wheel
- Body-Colored Rear Bumper w/Black Rub Strip/Fascia Accent
- Deep Tinted Glass
- Wheels: 17 Alloy
- Auto On/Off Reflector Halogen Daytime Running Headlamps
- Power Liftgate Rear Cargo Access
- Grille w/Chrome Bar
- Tailgate/Rear Door Lock Included w/Power Door Locks
- Front Fog Lamps
- Black Bodyside Cladding
- Instrument Panel Bin Driver / Passenger And Rear Door Bins
- Cargo Area Concealed Storage
- Trunk/Hatch Auto-Latch
- Power Rear Windows and Fixed 3rd Row Windows
- Outside Temp Gauge
- 2 Seatback Storage Pockets
- Manual w/Tilt Front Head Restraints and Manual Adjustable Rear Head Restraints
- Driver Foot Rest
- HVAC -inc: Underseat Ducts
- Locking Glove Box
- Full Floor Console w/Covered Storage Mini Overhead Console w/Storage and 3 12V DC Power Outlets
- Perforated Leather-Trimmed Upholstery
- 3 12V DC Power Outlets
- Cruise Control w/Steering Wheel Controls
- Heated Front Bucket Seats -inc: 10-way power driver's seat w/power lumbar support and driver and passenger front seat back pocket
- Sliding Front Center Armrest and Rear Center Armrest
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Remote Releases -Inc: Power Cargo Access and Mechanical Fuel
- Driver Seat
- Interior Trim -inc: Metal-Look Instrument Panel Insert Metal-Look Door Panel Insert Metal-Look Console Insert and Chrome/Metal-Look Interior Accents
- Leatherette Door Trim Insert
- Front Map Lights
- Immobilizer
- Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
- Smart Device Integration
- Driver And Passenger Visor Vanity Mirrors w/Driver And Passenger Auxiliary Mirror
- Full Carpet Floor Covering -inc: Carpet Front And Rear Floor Mats
- Automatic Air Conditioning
- 4-Way Passenger Seat -inc: Manual Recline and Fore/Aft Movement
- Perimeter Alarm
- Gauges -inc: Speedometer Odometer Tachometer Trip Odometer and Trip Computer
- Seats w/Leatherette Back Material
- Digital/Analog Appearance
- 60-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Manual Reclining Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
- Valet Function
- Trip Computer
- Carpet Floor Trim
- Rear Cupholder
- Fade-To-Off Interior Lighting
- Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter 2 Door Curb/Courtesy Illuminated Entry Illuminated Ignition Switch and Panic Button
- FOB Controls -inc: Keyfob Cargo Access
- Cargo Features -inc: Cargo Tray/Organizer
- Driver Information Center
- Cargo Space Lights
- Power 1st Row Windows w/Driver 1-Touch Up/Down
- Power Door Locks
- Front Cupholder
- Air Filtration
- Leather/Metal-Look Gear Shifter Material
- Selective Service Internet Access
- STARLINK Tracker System
- Full Cloth Headliner
- Day-Night Rearview Mirror
- Full-Time All-Wheel
- Electric Power-Assist Steering
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/4-Wheel ABS Front Vented Discs Brake Assist Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control
- 900# Maximum Payload
- Gas-Pressurized Shock Absorbers
- Front And Rear Anti-Roll Bars
- Battery w/Run Down Protection
- 15.9 Gal. Fuel Tank
- Permanent Locking Hubs
- Single Stainless Steel Exhaust w/Polished Tailpipe Finisher
- Transmission: Lineartronic CVT -inc: low shift mode X-mode and hill descent control (HDC)
- Strut Front Suspension w/Coil Springs
- Double Wishbone Rear Suspension w/Coil Springs
- Engine: 2.5L 4 Cyl DOHC 16V w/VVT -inc: Active Valve Control System (AVCS) variable valve timing
- 3.70 Axle Ratio
- GVWR: 4480 lbs
- Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
- Airbag Occupancy Sensor
- Side Impact Beams
- ABS And Driveline Traction Control
- Driver Knee Airbag
- Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3 Point Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
- Back-Up Camera
- Rear Child Safety Locks
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
- Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
- Low Tire Pressure Warning
- STARLINK Emergency Sos Capability
- -
2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium Review
Subaru is one of those hot brands, having been on a roll for a number of years continuing to do what they do best: making all wheel drive runabouts for the left of center crowd. Here's a quick look at what's new for their best-seller, the 2016 Forester.This 4th gen Forester went on sale in 2013 and comes in 6 flavors ranging in price from about $23,000 to $35,000, all with the brand’s hallmark 4-cylinder boxer engine and standard all-wheel drive. Forester models with an XT badge are also turbocharged. The term Boxer refers to the motor’s flat engine design with horizontally opposed cylinders. Not only does this arrangement provide a lower center of gravity imparting better handling, but it’s also an integral part of Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system, so called because all of its components lie along the centerline of the vehicle unlike competing setups. All wheels are powered, to various degrees, at all times and in my experience this isn’t just a bunch of marketing jargon. All-wheel drive systems are not all the same and Subie’s shine when the going gets tough. To expand their appeal outside of the northeast, they’re educating shoppers about the inherent dry-road handling benefits, as well.
My tester is just a notch over the base model, known as the 2.5i Premium, referring to the 2.5-liter engine with dual overhead cams, an active valve control system but no direct injection. That being said, its gas mileage is still right there at 27mpg in combined driving. It produces 170 horsepower, 174 pound-feet of torque and can be had with either a 6-speed manual or like here, the brand’s Lineartronic CVT. Despite its bad reputation, the continuously variable transmission is improving and Subaru’s is surprisingly automatic-like in its sensations minus the shift points. It’s very agreeable. It’s interesting to note however that the freshened 2017 Forester will debut a reprogrammed CVT with pauses to mimic those shifts in hopes of delivering a sportier feel.
The standard panoramic moonroof and tall roofline lend a sense of grand openness and there’s large, easy to load cargo room with fold flat seats and underfloor storage with compartments for small items.
Subaru calls their multimedia system Starlink and it’s new in the Forester this year.
This optional 7” multimedia touchscreen navigation system is pretty decent and easy to get around. Connect your smartphone and gain access to a handful of apps too plus the ability to remotely lock and unlock the doors, etc. One of my favorite features is the sunrise/sunset map…so fitting in a Subaru. A push of a button also connects you to Starlink Connected Services, an OnStar-like 4G LTE-fueled telematics system with 2 different packages, the basic one free for the first year and then $99 annually. You won’t find SIRI Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, however. Also new for 2016, is the addition of Lane Keep Assist to the EyeSight Driver Assist package, a dual camera system providing adaptive crusie, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and another new feature, steering responsive fog lights. Throw in heated seats and the price here rests at $28,540.
I'm sold on the virtues of Subaru's all-wheel drive system, and they make a darn good CVT to go with their surprisingly energetic Boxer engine. The ride is very smooth, there's also decent space in here and very good safety tech. But I have to say; I’ve never been a big Forester guy. To each his own, but the dorky styling combined with the early 2000's cabin is a big turnoff for me. It does not look or feel like a $28,000 car.
Subaru makes some pretty ugly cars but the Forester takes the cake. But I also acknowledge that the typical Subaru buyer doesn’t care about such things. The pall of yesteryear however might rub some the wrong way.
All-wheel drive with big ground clearance, a comfortable ride, and high functionality are what the Forester is all about. The rest is simply minutia.