How much does the 2019 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 6.04% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,149 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $18,707.73, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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, smooth performance, visibility, comfort, and all-wheel drive capability. That lines up well with the Forester’s practical, utility-first mission, especially if you want a family-friendly SUV that feels easy to live with every day.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, and the styling is uninspired. Even so, the Forester’s all-weather confidence and easy-to-use technology make it a strong fit if you value usefulness over excitement.

With 27.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2019 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to reliability, dependability, and a vehicle that feels easy to count on over time. The expert review also frames the Forester as part of Subaru’s long-running crossover formula, with a reputation for being incredibly reliable and built around sensible, durable packaging.

Its smooth boxer engine and standard AWD setup reinforce that dependable character, while the straightforward CVT and standard safety systems support everyday confidence. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about complexity and more about making sure the specific vehicle you choose has been maintained well and hasn’t accumulated hidden wear.

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 then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior repair quality, and whether the vehicle’s equipment matches the trim level being advertised.

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 panoramic moonroof, 10-way power front seats, and 4G Wi-Fi capability. Sport adds unique styling, heated front seats, paddle shifters, and a windshield wiper de-icer. Limited adds leather upholstery, a power rear tailgate, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen. Touring adds heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and one-touch quick-release folding rear seats.
• Powertrain: You get 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 review notes that acceleration is underwhelming, and there is no turbocharged XT option in this model year.
• 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. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the Limited and Touring trims.
• Infotainment: Base and Premium use a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while Limited and Touring get an 8-inch touchscreen with Subaru’s Starlink system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the larger screen is optional on the Sport.
• 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 essentials without paying for extras. You still get standard LED headlights, symmetrical AWD, EyeSight, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and useful cabin storage, so it covers the core Forester experience well.
• 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.
• Sport: Choose this if you want more style and a few comfort upgrades, including heated front seats, paddle shifters, LED fog lights, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
• Limited: This is the better pick if you want a more upscale feel, thanks to leather upholstery, a power rear tailgate, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Touring: Pick this if you want the most features, including heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and quick-release folding rear seats.

The Limited and Touring trims add the larger 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium stereo system.

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 listings.

• Deal availability: 27.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,149 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.04% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,707.73, 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 $18,941 sits slightly below last year's $20,159.

That softer pricing suggests the Forester has become more accessible for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may need to stay competitive on condition and equipment. A well-kept example with the right trim and clean history should still draw interest, especially because shoppers continue to value the Forester’s practicality and safety.

If you buy now, the current market gives you a lower entry point than a year ago, which can help protect your ownership value if you choose carefully. 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?

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru’s EyeSight suite is standard and includes forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, adaptive headlights, and lane-keeping Assist. Every Forester also comes with a reversing camera, a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, and strong outward visibility that helps you stay aware of your surroundings.

The safety story is especially strong because these features are standard across the lineup, not reserved for higher trims. That said, the Limited and Touring trims add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, so those versions give you a little more driver-assistance coverage.

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:

• 27.1% 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.
• Prices have softened 6.04% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 model year brings standard AWD, standard EyeSight, and a practical, utility-first package that fits buyers who want confidence and everyday usefulness.

The bottom line: The 2019 Forester makes the most sense if you want a well-equipped used SUV with strong safety, standard AWD, and a lower price than it carried a year ago. If you’re especially price-sensitive, this year’s softer market can work in your favor, but you should still prioritize condition and history because not every listing is clean.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.