Used 2021 Subaru Forester for Sale near Illinois

Compare 2021 Subaru Forester Trims

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

• Starting at $18,500
• 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 SUV without paying for extra features.

• Avg. market price: $18,500 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 469 listings
• View Crossover AWD listings

Premium Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $20,506 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,765 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 styling and features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $21,545 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 762 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 in their SUV.

• Avg. market price: $22,189 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,201 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• 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 available in the Forester lineup.

• Avg. market price: $23,515 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 736 listings
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 1,765 active listings, the Premium Crossover AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium Crossover AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Crossover AWD

At $18,500 avg market price — below the lineup median of $21,545 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

The Crossover AWD offers the best fuel economy 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 5.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,146 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 many also like its attractive design and good handling. In use-case terms, that lines up well if you want a straightforward compact SUV that prioritizes value, confidence, and everyday practicality. The main trade-offs are uninspired styling and sluggish performance, along with interior materials that feel cheap. Even so, it remains appealing if you want a practical crossover with broad trim coverage and standard AWD. Good and great deals account for 35.3% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback points to reliability, trustworthiness, and a dependable feel over time, with owners often describing it as a car they can count on. The expert review also emphasizes its practical, no-nonsense character and notes that the interior materials are likely to stand up to years of use. The Forester’s standard powertrain and mainstream warranty coverage support that reputation for predictable ownership. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about major drama and more about finding a well-kept example that hasn’t been worn down by heavy daily use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks for wear, signs of poor repairs, and whether the vehicle has been maintained consistently. Focus on overall condition, because this model’s appeal depends heavily on how well it has aged in real-world family use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base trim looks plain with 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims add more visual polish and comfort features. Premium and above also get an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.
• Powertrain: You get one powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Subaru’s boxer layout gives it a lower center of gravity, and standard AWD plus X-Mode help it handle rougher 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: The standard setup uses a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, 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 EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined, with 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, but it still gives you standard AWD and the core Forester value proposition. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model and can live without the extra comfort and convenience features 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 picks up standard fog lights and keyless access with push-button start, making it the sweet spot for everyday use.
• Sport: This trim adds the 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, orange interior and exterior accents, and Dual X-Mode. It suits you if you want a more distinctive look and a richer tech setup without jumping all the way to the luxury-oriented trims.
• Limited: This trim adds leather upholstery, navigation, and rear USB ports. It’s a good fit if you want a more upscale cabin and more convenience for passengers.
• Touring: This is the top trim and brings the most premium feel, but it’s best for buyers who want the fullest equipment list rather than the strongest value.

Safety-wise, EyeSight is standard across the range, and optional driver-assistance features are available if you want to add more coverage.

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

The market looks moderate for selective buyers, with enough inventory and deal activity to shop carefully.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,146 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,664, 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 $21,664 sits slightly below last year's $23,010.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also means future resale will depend heavily on how well the vehicle holds its condition and mileage. If you keep the Forester clean, well maintained, and accident-free, you should be in a better position when it’s time to sell. Its broad appeal as a practical, safety-focused SUV should continue to support demand. 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 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (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.

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 for 2021. Optional 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 can feel jerky, and lead-vehicle start alert can trigger false alarms in some situations.

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:

• 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the Forester formula focused on value, safety, and standard AWD.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,060, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,664 average.
• It adds fresh design details and an upgraded EyeSight package.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it delivers the core Forester strengths at a lower average price. If you’re willing to pay more for updated design and a more polished feature set, the 2022 is the better secondary 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 AWD and stronger safety credentials, while the CR-V edges it on overall expert score and cargo space. Both are practical choices with similar value appeal, but the CR-V looks a bit stronger if you want the higher-rated all-around package. The Forester makes more sense if standard AWD is a priority.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.