Used 2019 Subaru Forester for Sale near California

Compare 2019 Subaru Forester Trims

The 2019 Subaru Forester offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $17,095
• Best MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: 2.5i Premium AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

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Trim Deep Dives

2.5i AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $17,095 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 250 listings
• View 2.5i AWD listings

2.5i Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped vehicle for adventures without going overboard on price.

• Avg. market price: $18,059 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 635 listings
• View 2.5i Premium AWD listings

2.5i Sport AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i Sport AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features and tech without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $19,272 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 425 listings
• View 2.5i Sport AWD listings

2.5i Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and comfort without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $20,002 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 468 listings
• View 2.5i Limited AWD listings

2.5i Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5i Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most features and luxury in their Forester experience.

• Avg. market price: $20,797 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 298 listings
• View 2.5i Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium AWD

With 635 active listings, the 2.5i Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse 2.5i Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — 2.5i AWD

At $17,095 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,272 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 2.5i AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 2.5i AWD

The 2.5i AWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 26/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse 2.5i AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2019 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 5.02% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,177 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2019 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2019 Subaru Forester earns a 4.9/5 user rating and an 8.17/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its spaciousness, safety features, visibility, comfort, and all-wheel drive capability. That lines up with the Forester’s use case as a practical compact SUV for families and shoppers who want confidence in poor weather, passenger room, cargo space, and straightforward ownership. The main trade-offs are fairly pedestrian performance and uninspired styling, so it makes the most sense if usefulness matters more to you than excitement. With 35.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive value opportunities.

Is the 2019 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for the Forester’s all-wheel drive capability and overall practicality. The expert review reinforces that reputation by describing the Forester as a vehicle built around utility and value, with a smooth ride and a straightforward, confidence-inspiring driving character. Subaru also positions the Forester as a strong value play, which can help reduce ownership stress when you’re shopping used.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the vehicle has been maintained properly and hasn’t been worn down by hard use, especially if you plan to keep it for many years.

What should I look for when buying a used 2019 Subaru Forester?

At 73% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and pay close attention to any prior collision records, title issues, or repeated repairs. A pre-purchase inspection is worth prioritizing, especially on examples with higher mileage or visible wear. Focus on overall condition, maintenance records, and how well the cabin, drivetrain, and safety systems have been cared for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim comes quite well equipped with 60/40 split-fold rear seats, a multifunction display, dual front USB ports, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen. Premium adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, raised roof rails, a panoramic moonroof, 10-way power front seats, and 4G Wi-Fi capability. Sport adds unique styling, heated front seats, paddle shifters, a windshield wiper de-icer, and an upgraded display. Limited adds leather upholstery, a power rear tailgate, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Touring adds heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and one-touch quick-release folding rear seats.
• Powertrain: The only engine offered is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and symmetrical AWD. The review notes that acceleration is underwhelming, and the lack of a turbocharged option is a meaningful trade-off if you want stronger passing power.
• Safety package: EyeSight is standard on every trim and includes forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, adaptive headlights, and lane-keeping Assist. Every Forester also gets a reversing camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on Limited and Touring, so lower trims miss those features.
• Infotainment: The base and Premium trims use a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while the Sport can be optioned with the larger screen. Limited and Touring come standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, and the system includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The review also notes that the interface is responsive and easy to use.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returns 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined.

Which 2019 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2019 Subaru Forester is offered in 5 trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value-focused starting point, and it already gives you standard all-wheel drive, EyeSight, LED headlights, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and useful cabin storage. If you want the lowest-cost way into the Forester without giving up the core safety and utility features, this is the trim to start with.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a panoramic moonroof, power front seats, roof rails, and 4G Wi-Fi capability while staying below the higher-priced trims. If you want a more comfortable daily driver without jumping too far up the price ladder, this is the sweet spot.
• Sport: This trim adds the most personality, with unique styling, heated front seats, paddle shifters, a windshield wiper de-icer, and larger wheels. It makes sense if you want more equipment and a little more visual flair, but it still uses the same engine as the lower trims.
• Limited: This is the best choice if you want the most balanced mix of comfort and safety upgrades, including leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It’s the trim that most clearly steps up the cabin experience.
• Touring: This is the top-end choice if you want the most convenience features, including heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and quick-release folding rear seats. It’s the right pick if you want the most fully equipped Forester and don’t mind paying for it.

EyeSight driver-assistance features are standard across the lineup, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are reserved for the Limited and Touring trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2019 Subaru Forester?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,177 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.02% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,706, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2019 Subaru Forester's resale value?

The current average of $18,965 sits slightly below last year's $19,967.

That price movement suggests the market has softened, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the vehicle has been maintained. A clean history and strong equipment mix should help your listing stand out when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2019 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2019 Subaru Forester earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

It comes standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance suite, which includes forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, adaptive headlights, and lane-keeping Assist. Every Forester also gets a reversing camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the Limited and Touring trims, so lower trims miss those features.

Should I buy a 2019 Subaru Forester or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2019 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2019 if:

• 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.02% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The expert review highlights standard all-wheel drive, standard advanced safety features, and easy-to-use technology as the year’s biggest strengths.

The bottom line: The 2019 Forester makes the most sense if you want a practical, safety-focused compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive and strong owner approval. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, this year’s softened pricing makes it especially worth considering, but you should still compare condition carefully because accident history is common enough to matter.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.