Subaru announces pricing for 2016 Forester crossover

Subaru’s Forester compact crossover moves into the 2016 model year with a revised interior, more standard features, and minimal price increases.

In entry-level models (2.5i and 2.0XT) the “more striking” interior comes with upgraded finishes (Subaru’s wording), new steering wheel-mounted controls, a new infotainment system based around a 6.2-inch touchscreen that offers a larger display for the backup camera. Also new are one-touch turn signals (finally!) and sun visor extensions.

2.5i Convenience trim adds welcome lighting, and Touring and Limited models fitted with the optional Technology package get steering-response foglights (Subaru’s answer to adaptive headlights), and a new intelligent key fob. Those last two items are also now included in 2.0XT Limited trim.

2.5i and 2.0XT Limited models get navigation with a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen, as well as three free navi map updates over three years.

These are relatively minor updates, but Subaru has kept price increases to a minimum, and many trims are priced the same as their 2015 versions.

The starting ticket remains the same, at $25,995, for a 2.5i model with a six-speed manual transmission, or $27,295 with the optional continuously variable automatic. 2.5i Convenience (CVT only, as before), 2.5i Convenience PZEV, and 2.5i Touring models also hold the line, at $28,795 and $29,495 (Convenience and Convenience PZEV, respectively), as do 2.5i Touring trims, at $29,995 (6MT), $31,295 (CVT) and Touring Technology, at $32,495.

2.5i Limited trim pricing goes up $100, to $34,595, and Limited Technology trim goes up the same amount, to $35,795.

2.0XT models, which use a turbocharged engine and come standard with the CVT, start in Touring form at the same $33,495 tag as last year, but 2.0XT Limited and Limited Technology models each go up $100, to $36,795 and $37,995, respectively.

Subaru says the 2016 Forester is set to reach showrooms in early July–in other words, any day now.