Used 2021 Subaru Forester for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Subaru Forester Trims in Chicago, IL

The 2021 Subaru Forester offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $18,348
• Best MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium Crossover AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

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

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $19,822 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• View Crossover AWD listings

Premium Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want adventure-ready features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $18,348 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 128 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Premium Crossover AWD listings

Sport Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features and advanced technology without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $23,123 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 53 listings
• View Sport Crossover AWD listings

Limited Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $23,561 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 90 listings
• View Limited Crossover AWD listings

Touring Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most premium features and are willing to pay for top-tier comfort.

• Avg. market price: $24,595 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 128 active listings, the Premium Crossover AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium Crossover AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Premium Crossover AWD

At $18,348 avg market price — below the lineup median of $23,123 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Premium Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

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

Browse Crossover AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 5.95% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,116 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru Forester earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its spacious feel, safety features, and reliability, and they also call out its attractive design and good handling. In practical terms, that makes it a strong fit if you want a straightforward compact SUV that feels trustworthy and easy to live with.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and the interior materials feel cheap. Even so, the Forester’s practical layout and standard all-wheel drive make it appealing if you value usefulness over flash.

Good and great deals account for 36.2% of listings, so there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback points to reliability, a trustworthy feel, and a trouble-free ownership experience, with many owners emphasizing that it’s a car you can count on. The expert review also describes it as a solid choice for everyday dependability, and the model’s practical, no-nonsense design supports that reputation.

The Forester’s standard all-wheel drive and straightforward mechanical setup should help keep ownership predictable, but used buyers should still watch for wear, maintenance history, and any signs of hard use.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Subaru Forester?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any listing you’re considering, even if the car looks clean on paper. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important if you’re shopping higher-mileage examples or vehicles with incomplete service records. Focus on overall condition, signs of interior wear, and whether the equipment matches the trim you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models look a bit plain with 17-inch steel wheels, while Sport models add orange exterior accents, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The Premium trim also adds standard fog lights and keyless access with push-button start, so base-trim shoppers should check for feature gaps.
• Powertrain: The Forester uses a single 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT, and Subaru says it produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It also has standard all-wheel drive, X-Mode, and a 1,500-pound maximum towing capacity.
• Safety package: EyeSight is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder are also standard, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking are optional.
• Infotainment: Lower trims get a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models add an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio, while Limited and Touring add navigation and rear USB ports.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester is rated at 29 mpg combined, including 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

Which 2021 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Forester is offered in 5 trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Forester’s core value proposition: standard all-wheel drive, standard EyeSight safety tech, and the practical cabin layout. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it also looks the plainest and leaves out some convenience upgrades.
• Premium: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds useful everyday equipment, including standard fog lights, keyless access with push-button start, and the All-Weather Package with heated front seats, heated mirrors, and a windshield de-icer. If you want the sweet spot between price and comfort, this is the trim to focus on.
• Sport: This trim adds the most personality, with orange exterior and interior accents, a rear spoiler, black 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen, and Harman Kardon audio. It suits you if you want the Forester to feel a little more distinctive without moving all the way to the top of the range.
• Limited: This trim moves you into leather upholstery and adds navigation plus rear USB ports. It’s a good fit if you want a more upscale cabin and more convenience features.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped version, with the highest level of comfort and tech content in the lineup. It makes sense if you want the most premium Forester experience and are willing to pay for it.

Safety equipment is strongest across the lineup because EyeSight is standard, while optional blind-spot monitoring and related features remain available if you want more coverage.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Subaru Forester?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,116 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.95% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,579, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru Forester's resale value?

The current average of $21,579 sits slightly below last year's $22,943.

That price movement suggests the Forester has softened enough to create a better entry point for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may face some pressure if the market stays competitive. The current range still shows healthy demand, though, especially for clean examples with strong equipment and good condition.

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

Is the 2021 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2021 Subaru Forester received the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, and it earns five-star ratings in frontal-crash and side-crash tests, and four-star ratings in rollover crash tests from NHTSA.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard EyeSight suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Subaru also includes steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder for 2021, and DriverFocus adds driver monitoring. Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Forester or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.95% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds three standard safety features for the year, reinforcing its safety-first appeal.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,990, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,579 average.
• It adds the Wilderness trim for buyers who want more off-road capability.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it combines lower pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and solid safety. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year update and the Wilderness option, the 2022 is the better path.

How does the 2021 Subaru Forester compare to the 2021 Honda CR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Subaru Forester:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Standard all-wheel drive, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Sluggish performance, Interior materials feel cheap.

2021 Honda CR-V:

• Pros: Plenty of cargo space, Standard advanced safety features, Excellent value for money.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Fairly pedestrian performance.

Our experts score the 2021 Subaru Forester 7.5/10 and the 2021 Honda CR-V 7.8/10. The Forester stands out for standard all-wheel drive and strong safety ratings, while the CR-V edges ahead on overall expert score and cargo space. Both are practical choices, but the Forester’s slower performance and cheaper-feeling interior are worth weighing against its value and safety strengths.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.