Used 2021 Subaru Forester for Sale near Illinois

Compare 2021 Subaru Forester Trims

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 $19,021
• 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.

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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. It's the most budget-friendly option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $19,021 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 670 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 vehicle without stepping up to the higher trims. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup by a wide margin.

• Avg. market price: $21,303 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 3,155 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 a stylish design without going for the top-tier trims.

• Avg. market price: $22,322 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,483 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• 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 stepping up to the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $23,321 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,793 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 and a fully loaded experience without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $24,252 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,170 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 3,155 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 $19,021 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,322 — 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/MPGe.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 4.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,055 listings available, which gives you 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 attractive design and good handling. The main trade-offs are its uninspired styling and sluggish performance, along with interior materials that feel cheap. For you, that means the Forester makes the most sense if you want a practical compact crossover with standard all-wheel drive and everyday usefulness rather than a sporty or upscale feel. Good and great deals account for 34.4% of listings, which suggests 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.

The owner feedback points to reliability, trustworthiness, and a car that feels dependable over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Forester is built for practical use, with a functional interior and a reputation for handling daily life well. Subaru’s warranty coverage is standard for the class, and the model’s straightforward mechanical setup should help keep ownership predictable. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that condition can vary widely, so a careful inspection matters more than the badge.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not guaranteed. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear, maintenance records, and how the vehicle has been used. Pay close attention to trim-specific equipment so you know whether the features you want are actually present.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim looks a bit plain with its 17-inch steel wheels, while the Sport adds orange exterior and interior accents, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The Premium trim adds standard fog lights and keyless access with push-button start, and the Limited and Touring trims move to leather upholstery.
• 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 says it can tow up to 1,500 pounds, and the boxer layout helps keep the center of gravity lower 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 trims add navigation and rear USB ports.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester is EPA-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 standard all-wheel drive plus the core Forester formula at the lowest price. It makes sense if you want the most affordable way into the model and do not need extra comfort or convenience features.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds standard fog lights, keyless access with push-button start, and the All-Weather Package equipment. If you want a more complete daily driver without moving too far up the price ladder, this is the one to focus on.
• Sport: This trim adds the 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, and a more distinctive look with orange accents and black 18-inch wheels. It suits you if you want the most personality and a richer tech setup without jumping to the top trims.
• Limited: This trim moves you into leather upholstery and adds navigation, making it a better fit if you want a more upscale cabin and more built-in convenience.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped version, and it is the right pick if you want the most comfort and convenience features the Forester offers.

EyeSight is standard across the range, and optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert remain worth seeking out if you want 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 can shop carefully and still find value.

• Deal availability: 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,055 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,766, 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 $22,352 sits slightly below last year's $23,373.

That softer pricing suggests the Forester has already absorbed some of its recent market cooling, which can help you buy at a more favorable point. If you plan to sell later, the current trend means you should expect a more competitive resale environment than last year. Even so, the model’s broad appeal and practical reputation should help it stay relevant with used buyers.

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 from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in frontal-crash and side-crash tests and four-star ratings in rollover crash tests.

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 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 you should still expect to stay engaged behind the wheel.

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:

• 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the Forester’s standard all-wheel drive and adds useful standard safety updates for the year.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,690, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,352 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 combines lower pricing with strong safety, standard AWD, and solid owner satisfaction. If you are willing to spend more for the newer model year’s updates, the 2022 is worth a look, but price-sensitive buyers should start with the 2021.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.