Used 2019 Subaru Forester for Sale nearDurham, NC

Compare 2019 Subaru Forester Trims in Durham, NC

The 2019 Subaru Forester offers a range of trims that balance affordability, fuel efficiency, and adventure-ready features, all with standard AWD.

• Starting at $16,553
• 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: $16,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 23 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 over budget.

• Avg. market price: $17,429 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 50 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 style without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $19,072 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 41 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 at a competitive price without compromising on performance.

• Avg. market price: $16,553 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 40 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 advanced features and comfort for their adventures.

• Avg. market price: $17,599 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 23 listings
• View 2.5i Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5i Premium AWD

With 50 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 Limited AWD

At $16,553 avg market price — below the lineup median of $17,429 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 2.5i Limited AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 2.5i AWD

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

Browse 2.5i AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2019 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 5.08% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,333 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for used-car shoppers.

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 well with the Forester’s practical, family-friendly mission, especially if you want a compact SUV that’s easy to live with and useful for everyday driving.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, and the styling is uninspired. The overview also points to the lack of a standard transmission option and some Android connectivity frustrations, so you should expect utility and ease of use more than excitement.

The market also looks reasonably shopper-friendly, with 36.2% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2019 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

The owner summary points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience centered on spaciousness, safety, comfort, and all-wheel-drive confidence. The expert summary also frames the Forester as a model that helped define the modern crossover formula and highlights its long-standing reputation for being easy to live with.

On the ownership side, the Forester’s value proposition is strong, but used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance history and how the vehicle has been treated, especially because long-term satisfaction does not replace a careful pre-purchase inspection.

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

At 72.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a thorough inspection of bodywork, alignment, and any signs of prior repair. Focus on condition over mileage alone, since a clean, well-kept example is likely to be the better buy than a cheaper one with unresolved damage history.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim comes quite well equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, dual front USB ports, a multifunction display, 60/40 split-fold rear seats, and standard LED headlights, AWD, and EyeSight. Premium adds a panoramic moonroof, 10-way power front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and 4G Wi-Fi capability. Sport adds unique styling, heated front seats, paddle shifters, a windshield wiper de-icer, and dual-mode X-Mode. Limited adds leather upholstery, a power rear tailgate, dual-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and the larger 8-inch touchscreen. Touring adds heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and one-touch quick-release folding rear seats.
• Powertrain: The 2019 Forester uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and standard symmetrical AWD. The setup is tuned more for efficiency and smoothness than quick acceleration, and the expert notes that torque is still modest.
• Safety package: EyeSight is standard across the lineup and includes forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, adaptive headlights, and lane-keeping Assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on Limited and Touring, while all trims also get a reversing camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags.
• Infotainment: Base and Premium use a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while Sport can get the larger 8-inch screen as an option and Limited and Touring get it standard. The system includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the larger setup adds Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system.
• 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 play if you want the Forester’s core strengths at the lowest entry point. You still get standard AWD, EyeSight, LED headlights, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and the practical cabin features that make the Forester easy to live with.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a panoramic moonroof, power front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and 4G Wi-Fi capability without moving too far up the price ladder.
• Sport: Choose this if you want the most distinctive look and a few useful extras like heated front seats, paddle shifters, a windshield wiper de-icer, and dual-mode X-Mode. It also brings unique styling inside and out.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want the most balanced mix of comfort and safety upgrades, including leather upholstery, a power rear tailgate, dual-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and the larger 8-inch touchscreen.
• Touring: Pick this if you want the most features, including heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and quick-release folding rear seats. It’s the most upscale version, but not necessarily the best value.

EyeSight driver-assistance features are standard on every trim, and the Limited and Touring add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,333 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.08% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,694, 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 $18,772 sits slightly below last year's $19,777.

That decline suggests the market has become a bit more favorable for buyers, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively to stand out. The current range still shows healthy demand for a practical compact SUV with standard AWD and strong utility, which helps support long-term appeal.

Because the model is still attracting shoppers who value space, safety, and everyday usability, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than less practical alternatives. Condition, trim, and accident history will matter a lot when you eventually resell.

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 EyeSight driver-assistance features that include forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, adaptive headlights, and lane-keeping Assist. It also includes a reversing camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, and the expert review highlights excellent visibility as another safety advantage.

A key point to note is that blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard only 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:

• 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.08% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The expert review highlights standard AWD, standard EyeSight, easy-to-use technology, and strong value for utility-focused shoppers.

The bottom line: The 2019 Forester makes the most sense if you want a practical, safety-focused compact SUV with standard AWD and strong owner approval. If you’re price-sensitive, this year’s softened pricing makes it especially worth a look; if you want a newer-feeling package with more updated refinement, you may also want to compare nearby model years before deciding.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.