Used 2021 Subaru Forester for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2021 Subaru Forester Trims in Columbia, SC

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 $8,641
• 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 reliable vehicle without paying for extra features.

• Avg. market price: $14,675 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 41 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 higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $8,641 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 105 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 a blend of adventure and tech features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $16,493 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 47 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 without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $16,493 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 92 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 them.

• Avg. market price: $27,980 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 53 listings
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 105 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 $8,641 avg market price — below the lineup median of $16,493 — 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 6.02% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,066 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 like its good handling and trustworthy character. The trade-offs are its uninspired styling and sluggish performance, along with interior materials that feel cheap. For you, that means it fits best if you want a practical compact SUV with standard AWD and broad everyday usefulness rather than a flashy or especially quick one. With 36.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive value opportunities.

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 car that owners feel good about keeping for the long haul. The expert review also emphasizes everyday dependability, with a powertrain that feels adequate for most situations and standard AWD that supports confidence in poor weather and mixed conditions. Subaru’s standard maintenance coverage is straightforward, and the Forester’s practical design supports long-term ownership well. For used buyers, the main risk is condition-specific wear, so a careful inspection matters more than the model’s overall reputation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because accident-free status is only a starting point. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the drivetrain, suspension, and signs of heavy use, especially if the vehicle has seen rough weather or frequent family-duty miles. Pay close attention to cabin condition and how well the interior has held up, since the Forester is meant to be a practical daily driver.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models look a bit plain with 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims add more equipment and visual polish. Premium and higher trims also get an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.
• Powertrain: The Forester uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and a CVT. Subaru says it has a 1,500-pound maximum towing capacity, and standard AWD plus X-Mode help it handle poor surfaces better than many rivals.
• 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 value play if you want standard AWD and the Forester’s core safety and practicality without paying for extras. It gives you the essentials, but it also looks the plainest and misses some comfort and convenience upgrades found higher up.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the All-Weather Package, which brings heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer. It also gets keyless access with push-button start, making it a smart step up if you want more everyday comfort.
• Sport: This trim adds the 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, and a more distinctive look with orange accents, black 18-inch wheels, and a rear spoiler. It suits you if you want the most personality without jumping to the pricier upper trims.
• Limited: This trim adds leather upholstery, navigation, and rear USB ports, making it a stronger choice if you want a more upscale cabin and better rear-seat convenience.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped version, aimed at buyers who want the most comfort and convenience features in the lineup.

Safety-wise, the Forester’s standard EyeSight suite is a major advantage across the lineup, while optional blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert can add extra peace of mind.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 36.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,066 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.02% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,464, 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 $21,464 sits slightly below last year's $22,839.

That softer pricing suggests the Forester has become more accessible for buyers, which can help keep demand steady in the used market. For a future seller, the current trend means you may not see the same pricing strength you would have a year ago, but the model’s broad appeal still supports resale interest. Its strong owner satisfaction and practical reputation should help it remain attractive to shoppers who value safety and standard AWD.

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 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.

Standard EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Subaru also makes steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder standard for 2021. Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The main caveat is that the lane-centering function felt jerky in testing, so the system is helpful but not flawless.

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:

• 36.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.02% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert or safety highlight specific to this year from the review team: it adds three standard safety features for 2021, including steering-responsive LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,960, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,464 average.
• It adds a new Wilderness version with more off-road focus.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the stronger buy because it combines lower pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and excellent safety. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year update and the possibility of a more adventurous trim, the 2022 is worth a look.

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 great safety ratings, while the CR-V edges ahead on overall score and cargo space. Both are practical and good-value choices, but the Forester’s slower performance and cheaper-feeling interior are clear drawbacks. If standard AWD matters most to you, the Forester has the advantage; if you want the slightly stronger all-around package, the CR-V is the better pick.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.