Used 2021 Subaru Forester for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

Compare 2021 Subaru Forester Trims in San Diego, CA

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 $18,910
• 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: $21,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 27 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 for adventures without going over budget.

• Avg. market price: $21,429 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 69 listings
• View Premium Crossover AWD listings

Sport Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a feature-rich vehicle at a lower price point without sacrificing performance.

• Avg. market price: $18,910 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 36 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 without stepping up to the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $21,429 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 55 listings
• View Limited Crossover AWD listings

Touring Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the latest tech and luxury features in their vehicle.

• Avg. market price: $23,377 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 27 listings
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 69 active listings, the Premium Crossover AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium Crossover AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Sport Crossover AWD

At $18,910 avg market price — below the lineup median of $21,429 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Sport Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

The Crossover AWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 26/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 5.38% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,139 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for used shoppers.

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. The trade-offs are the 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 AWD and a straightforward ownership experience rather than something sporty or upscale. Good and great deals account for 37.5% 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.

Owner feedback points to reliability, trustworthiness, and a car people feel confident keeping for the long haul. The expert evaluation also describes the Forester as practical and value-focused, with a functional interior and standard all-wheel drive that support dependable everyday use. Subaru’s warranty coverage is standard for the segment, and the model’s reputation for reliability helps reinforce that impression. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.3% — 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 the drivetrain, brakes, tires, and cabin wear, since the Forester’s practical mission means many examples may have seen family-duty mileage and daily use. Focus on condition and equipment differences by trim, because the value equation changes meaningfully as you move up the range.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim looks a bit plain with its 17-inch steel wheels, while the Sport adds orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The Limited and Touring step up to leather upholstery, and the Premium and higher trims add 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 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, 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 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, and it gives you standard AWD, EyeSight, and the core Forester formula at the lowest price. It makes sense if you want the most affordable way into the model and can live without the nicer comfort and convenience upgrades.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the All-Weather Package, including heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer. It also gains 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 with Snow/Dirt and Snow/Mud settings. It suits you if you want the most distinctive look and a little more capability-focused equipment.
• Limited: This trim moves you into leather upholstery and adds navigation plus rear USB ports. It’s a good fit if you want a more upscale cabin without going all the way to the top trim.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped version, with the highest level of comfort and convenience features in the lineup. Choose it if you want the most premium Forester experience and are willing to pay for it.

EyeSight is standard across the range, and optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking remain available depending on trim and package.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 37.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,139 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.38% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,752, 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 $21,954 sits slightly below last year's $23,203.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled enough to help you buy more selectively today. For a future seller, the softer pricing means you may not see the same upside you would have a year ago, but the Forester’s broad appeal still supports demand. Its strong owner satisfaction rating also helps keep it attractive to used buyers, which can cushion resale value over time.

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 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and earns five-star ratings from NHTSA, including five-star frontal-crash and side-crash ratings and four-star rollover ratings.

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 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:

• 37.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.38% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the practical, value-focused formula with standard AWD and standard EyeSight.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,385, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,954 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 buy because it delivers the core Forester strengths at a lower average price. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year update, the 2022 is the better secondary path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.