How much does the 2021 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 6.63% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,945 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and conditions. If you find a listing below $21,947.44, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — the 4.71/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.83/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the comfortable ride, impressive safety features, and modern technology. The turbocharged engine option also draws positive attention for its stronger performance, and the Outback’s spacious, practical layout comes through as a recurring strength.

The main trade-offs are the underwhelming base engine and some cabin storage and touchscreen climate-control frustrations. In practical terms, that means you’ll like this model most if you value everyday usability, all-wheel-drive confidence, and road-trip comfort more than quick acceleration.

Good and great deals account for 32.4% of listings, so you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 4.71/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for comfort, safety, and the kind of long-term confidence that matters in a used vehicle. The expert assessment reinforces that with language centered on reliability and low cost, and Subaru’s standard maintenance coverage adds another ownership-friendly touch.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is choosing a neglected example, especially one that has seen hard use or skipped maintenance.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one that has been used for towing, road trips, or rough-weather driving. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, brake wear, and signs that the cabin or drivetrain has been heavily used.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim uses two 7-inch touchscreens and matte plastic instead of the larger 11.6-inch portrait display found on Premium and above trim levels. Higher trims add a brighter, sharper screen and more polished interior materials.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter flat-four makes 182 horsepower and can feel slow, while the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four delivers 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque with much stronger passing power.
• Safety package: Subaru EyeSight is standard and includes adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Premium and standard on higher trims.
• Infotainment: The system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the larger single-screen setup is the better choice over the base dual-screen arrangement.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbo XT is rated at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, compared with 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for the base engine.

Which 2021 Subaru Outback trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Outback is offered in 5 trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited, Touring, and Onyx Edition XT.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: You get the lowest entry price, but it lacks the larger 11.6-inch display and the more polished cabin presentation found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: Premium is the best value if you want the larger screen and a more complete everyday setup without jumping to the pricier upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: Touring is the most upscale choice, with the richest comfort and convenience mix for buyers who want the most refined Outback experience.
• Off-road trim: Onyx Edition XT is the one to watch if you want the turbo engine and extra traction-oriented features, but it makes more sense if you’ll actually use that capability.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Premium and standard on all higher trims.

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

The market looks moderate, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,945 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.63% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,947.44, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru Outback's resale value?

The current average of $22,788 sits slightly below last year's $24,407.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled enough to give you better entry pricing now, while still leaving room for the Outback to hold value reasonably well over time. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later. The model’s broad appeal and practical reputation should help support future demand.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.71/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback safe?

The 2021 Outback was a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and the 2021 model earned an overall five-star rating from NHTSA, with four-star ratings for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for rollover.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru EyeSight is standard on all trims and includes adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. A driver’s knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag are standard, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert becomes standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor are also available or standard depending on trim.

The main caveat is that some advanced safety features are trim-dependent, so you should confirm the exact equipment on any used example you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Outback 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:

• 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.63% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.71/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model keeps the Outback’s strong safety, space, and capability mix while adding a more modern turbo option.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,243, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,788 average.
• It keeps the Outback’s utility and safety focus while staying a bit more budget-friendly.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,355, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,788 average.
• It adds the Wilderness trim for buyers who want more adventure-ready capability.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday usefulness, the 2021 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the value play. If you want more off-road ambition and can spend more, the 2022 is the better fit.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.