2016 Subaru Forester MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Subaru Forester is rated 25 to 27 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Subaru Forester · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

27MPG combined

24 city 31 highway

$2,300 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score6/10

2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT

Best version costs $500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,300 to $3,100 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2015.

One of the best Forester years by owner complaints

The 2016 drew 89 owner complaints in its first three years, against 164 for a typical Forester year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.

Years to avoid: 2019 and 2020; best years: 2016, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Forester year ranked The 2016 Forester's recalls and problems

Every 2016 Forester version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT Best EPA listing: Forester AWD	27 mpg	24 / 31	$2,300
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT EPA listing: Forester AWD · Premium fuel	25 mpg	23 / 27	$3,100
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Forester AWD	25 mpg	22 / 28	$2,500

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas and $5.01 a gallon for premium gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT	$2,222	$185	$11,111
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT	$3,006	$251	$15,030
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed manual	$2,400	$200	$12,000

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Subaru Forester MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 22 to 29 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 29 since 2019. Hybrid: 35 mpg (2025 to 2026).

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2016: gas 27 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Subaru Forester best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	22	–
2011	23	–
2012	23	–
2013	23	–
2014	27	–
2015	27	–
2016	27	–
2017	28	–
2018	28	–
2019	29	–
2020	29	–
2021	29	–
2022	29	–
2023	29	–
2024	29	–
2025	29	35
2026	29	35

Every Forester year's ratings in one table

How the 2016 Forester compares

2016 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	32 mpg	26 mpg	$1,950
Honda CR-V Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Mazda CX-5 Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Outback Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Forester This page Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Ford Escape Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Kia Sportage Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$3,350

2016 Forester recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 416 owner complaints for the 2016 Forester.

Owners most often describe stalling (34 complaints, 8%), then the airbag warning light (32). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2016 Forester recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2016 Subaru Forester need premium gas?

Some versions do. EPA lists the 2.0L turbo 4-cyl on premium, the rest use regular.

How does the 2016 Forester's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 27 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.