Used 2021 Subaru Forester for Sale near North Carolina

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.

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. 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 4.31% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,078 listings available, which gives you a healthy pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2021 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — it 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. In practical terms, that makes it a strong fit if you want a straightforward compact crossover that emphasizes everyday usefulness over flash.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and the interior materials feel cheap. Even so, the Forester’s standard all-wheel drive and practical packaging make it appealing if you value confidence in bad weather and a no-nonsense ownership experience.

The market also looks reasonably supportive, with 35.9% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

Owners describe it as reliable and trustworthy, and they also praise its safety features and everyday usefulness. That kind of feedback suggests you can count on it for routine commuting, family duty, and general long-term ownership.

Its boxer engine and standard AWD setup are presented as part of a durable, confidence-inspiring package, and the overall ownership picture is reinforced by standard warranty coverage and roadside assistance. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright dependability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and 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 81.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear, signs of prior damage, and whether the vehicle’s condition matches its mileage and asking price. It also helps to compare trim equipment closely, since some desirable features are reserved for higher versions.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base trim looks 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 adds standard fog lights and keyless access with push-button start, and the Limited and Touring trims get leather upholstery.
• Powertrain: The Forester uses 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 gives it a lower center of gravity 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 includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen, 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: It returns an EPA-rated 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 strengths: standard all-wheel drive, EyeSight safety tech, and the practical cabin layout. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it is also the plainest version.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds useful everyday upgrades, 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 most balanced mix of comfort and value, 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, black 18-inch wheels, and a rear spoiler. It suits you if you want more style and a richer tech experience without jumping to the top of the range.
• Limited: This trim moves you into leather upholstery and adds navigation plus rear USB ports. It is 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 convenience equipment in the lineup. It makes sense if you want the Forester with the most premium feel and are willing to pay for it.

Standard EyeSight is a major safety advantage across the lineup, while optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are worth seeking out if you want extra reassurance.

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

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

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,078 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.31% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.5% 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 $22,297 sits slightly below last year's $23,302.

That decline suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it means you should expect pricing pressure if the broader market stays soft, especially if your vehicle has average mileage or visible wear.

On the other hand, the Forester’s strong reputation for safety, practicality, and owner satisfaction should help support demand over time. Well-kept examples with clean history and desirable equipment should hold up better than neglected ones.

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 the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating with five-star frontal-crash and side-crash ratings and four stars in rollover testing.

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, and Subaru’s DriverFocus monitoring system is part of the brand’s broader safety approach.

The main caveat is that some helpful safety features remain optional, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. Even so, the Forester’s standard safety package is one of its biggest strengths.

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:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.31% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps standard all-wheel drive and adds useful standard safety updates for the year.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,608, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,297 average.
• It adds fresh design details and an upgraded EyeSight package.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2021 is the smarter path because it combines lower pricing, strong safety, and broad availability. If you are willing to spend more for a newer model with updated design and tech, the 2022 is the alternative to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.