Used 2021 Subaru Forester for Sale nearRockford, IL

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 $19,141
• 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.

• Avg. market price: $19,141 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 669 listings
• View Crossover AWD listings

Premium Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want added comfort and tech without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $21,484 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 3,164 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 sporty look and feel without sacrificing practicality.

• Avg. market price: $22,357 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,437 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 without going to the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $23,360 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,775 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 comfort in their vehicle.

• Avg. market price: $24,413 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,142 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 3,164 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 $19,141 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,357 — 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 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 4.76% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 3,066 listings available, you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $21,767.36, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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 practical terms, that lines up well with a compact crossover that prioritizes everyday usefulness, standard all-wheel drive, and a straightforward ownership experience. The trade-offs are uninspired styling and sluggish performance, along with interior materials that feel cheap. With a market position built around value and utility, it suits you best if you want a no-drama SUV rather than something sporty. Good and great deals account for 32.8% 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.

The owner feedback points to reliability, trustworthiness, and a car you can count on, with repeated praise for its dependable, trouble-free character. The expert evaluation also emphasizes Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive and the Forester’s practical, durable-feeling setup, which supports the impression of a vehicle built for long-term use. Subaru’s standard maintenance and warranty coverage is conventional for the segment, and that makes routine ownership straightforward. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about complexity and more about finding a well-kept example that hasn’t been worn down by years of everyday use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear items, interior condition, and signs of hard use. It also makes sense to compare trim equipment closely, since some desirable features were reserved for higher versions or optional packages.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim looks a bit plain with its 17-inch steel wheels, while Sport models add orange exterior accents, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. Premium and higher trims add useful comfort equipment, including an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.
• Powertrain: You get one setup: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Subaru’s boxer layout helps keep the center of gravity low, and the standard AWD system includes X-Mode for tougher surfaces.
• 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 for 2021, 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 if you want the lowest-cost way into standard AWD and the Forester’s core safety and utility strengths. It gives you the essentials, but it also looks the plainest and misses some of the comfort and convenience upgrades that make the higher trims easier to live with.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for most 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 and standard fog lights, making it the sweet spot if you want useful upgrades without moving too far up the price ladder.
• Sport: This trim is the one to choose if you want the most distinctive look and a more feature-rich cabin. It adds orange styling details, an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, and Dual X-Mode, so it suits you if you want a little more personality and equipment.
• Limited: This is the step up if you want a more upscale feel, with leather upholstery and added tech such as navigation and rear USB ports. It makes sense if you care more about comfort and convenience than value.
• Touring: This is the top trim for shoppers who want the most equipment and are willing to pay for it. It builds on the Limited’s upscale features and sits at the top of the range for buyers who want the most complete Forester experience.

EyeSight is standard across the lineup, 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 decent value.

• Deal availability: 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,066 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.76% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,767.36, 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 $22,344 sits slightly below last year's $23,461.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you buy at a more favorable point if you plan to keep the vehicle for several years. For a future seller, the softer current pricing means resale upside may be more modest than in a rising market, so condition and trim choice matter even more. Well-kept examples with the right equipment should still hold appeal because the Forester’s practical reputation remains a major draw.

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 Forester received the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, with top Good ratings in all crash tests, a Superior rating for front-crash prevention tech, and a Good rating for headlights. It also earned a five-star overall rating 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. Subaru also includes steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder for 2021. If you want more coverage, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking are available, but they are not standard. The main caveat is that the lane-centering behavior can feel jerky, 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:

• 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.76% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds standard steering-responsive LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,751, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,344 average.
• It adds the Wilderness variant and updated driver-assistance tech.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it combines strong safety, standard AWD, and a softer price point. If you’re willing to spend more for newer updates and the Wilderness option, the 2022 is the better path. For most used shoppers, the 2021 gives you the strongest balance of price, safety, and everyday usefulness.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.