How much does the 2021 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 4.83% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,064 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $21,771.75, 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 they also like its attractive design and good handling. The trade-offs are that it is not especially exciting, with uninspired styling, sluggish performance, and 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, a roomy cabin, and a straightforward ownership experience. It is less compelling if you care most about driving excitement or upscale cabin materials.

The market also looks workable, with 28.4% of listings tagged as good or great deals.

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 over the long term. The expert evaluation also describes the Forester as practical and functional, with a powertrain and chassis setup aimed at everyday dependability rather than complexity.

Subaru’s standard warranty coverage is conventional for the segment, and the Forester’s straightforward mechanical setup should help keep ownership predictable for used buyers.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not universal. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the suspension, cabin wear, and any signs of heavy use, since this model is often chosen for family duty and outdoor errands. It is also worth confirming that the safety and infotainment equipment on the specific trim matches what you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models look a bit plain with 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 heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.
• Powertrain: You get 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, front 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 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 the Forester’s core appeal: standard AWD, 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 most shoppers because it adds meaningful comfort upgrades, including the All-Weather Package with heated front seats, heated mirrors, and a windshield de-icer. It also gets standard fog lights and keyless access with push-button start for 2021.
• Sport: This is the style-and-tech step up, with orange exterior and interior accents, an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, and Dual X-Mode. It suits you if you want more personality and extra capability features without jumping to the top trims.
• Limited: This trim moves into a more upscale feel with leather upholstery, plus navigation and rear USB ports. It is the right pick if you want a nicer cabin and more convenience equipment.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped version, adding the most premium feature set in the lineup. Choose it if you want the Forester with the most comfort and convenience content.

EyeSight remains standard across the lineup, so even the lower trims give you the core safety package.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you are a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,064 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.83% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,771.75, 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 $22,426 sits slightly below last year's $23,564.

That softer pricing suggests the model has become a bit more buyer-friendly, which can help you if you are shopping now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment level rather than on broad market momentum alone.

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 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, with five-star overall ratings from NHTSA, 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.

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 equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.

The main caveat is that some of the driver-assist behavior can feel less polished than you might expect, especially the lane-centering tuning and the occasional false alert from lead-vehicle start alert.

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:

• 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.83% 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 $24,844, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,426 average.
• It adds the Wilderness variant for more off-road capability.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the better pick if you want the strongest value, broad inventory, and a proven safety-focused setup. If you are willing to spend more for extra capability and newer updates, the 2022 is the better alternative; if price matters most, the 2021 is the smarter buy.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.