Used 2021 Subaru Outback for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 7.17% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,985 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru Outback earns a 4.7/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfortable ride, impressive safety features, and modern technology. The feedback also points to strong performance interest, especially around the turbocharged engine option, while still highlighting the Outback’s practical, everyday appeal.

The trade-offs are that cabin storage could be better and the touchscreen-based climate controls can be distracting. In context, this is a vehicle aimed at usefulness, space, and confidence rather than style or flash.

With 39.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback emphasizes comfort, safety, and technology, while also suggesting the Outback is a vehicle people feel good about living with over time. The expert review also frames it as a model built around reliability, low cost, and high resale, with a long-distance, all-weather character that supports dependable everyday use.

Subaru’s standard all-wheel-drive system and the Outback’s rugged, practical design reinforce that dependable reputation. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the vehicle has been maintained well, especially if it has seen hard use or higher-mileage driving.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.7% — 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 wear, electronics, and how the vehicle has been used. Condition matters a lot here, especially if you want the Outback’s comfort and capability without inheriting avoidable repair headaches.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim uses two 7-inch touchscreens, while Premium and above get the larger 11.6-inch portrait display. Higher trims also bring a more polished cabin, and the Limited and Touring trims add more upscale materials.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter flat-four makes 182 horsepower and can feel very slow under load. The turbocharged 2.4-liter XT engine delivers 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque and is the better choice if you want stronger passing power.
• Safety package: Subaru EyeSight is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, 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, while rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor are reserved for select trims.
• Infotainment: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The larger single-screen setup is more cohesive than the base dual-screen layout, and the system includes adaptive cruise settings plus optional navigation.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine is rated at 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the turbo XT returns 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Which 2021 Subaru Outback trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Outback is offered in 5 trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited 2.5, Limited XT, and Touring XT.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the least expensive way into the Outback, but it’s also the one to approach most carefully because the base setup misses the more appealing large-screen interior and other convenience upgrades.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the larger 11.6-inch display and a more complete everyday experience without pushing too far up the price ladder.
• Limited 2.5: This trim adds a more upscale feel and brings more available safety equipment, making it a smart step up if you want comfort and features.
• Limited XT: Choose this if you want the stronger turbocharged engine along with a more premium trim experience.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end choice for buyers who want the most upscale Outback experience and the turbo engine together.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on all trims above Premium, while rear emergency braking and the driver-attention monitor are reserved for higher trims.

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

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

• Deal availability: 39.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,985 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.17% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,667, 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 $21,667 sits slightly below last year's $23,341.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, the softer current pricing means resale upside may be more limited in the short term, but the Outback’s broad appeal still supports demand. Its practical shape, strong safety reputation, and loyal buyer base should help it remain attractive when you eventually sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback safe?

The 2021 Subaru Outback was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and earns five-star ratings overall 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 and includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The Outback also comes with a driver’s knee airbag and a passenger seat-cushion airbag, while blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard only on higher trims. Rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor are also trim-dependent.

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:

• 39.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.17% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 keeps the Outback’s practical, safety-focused formula while adding a more modern cabin and standard all-wheel drive.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,418, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,667 average.
• It adds a more modern feel with fresh safety tech and two new engines.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,456, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,667 average.
• It shifts toward a more adventure-focused Wilderness setup with improved outdoor capability.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday usefulness, the 2021 is the cleanest pick. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while keeping the core Outback appeal.

How does the 2021 Subaru Outback compare to the 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Subaru Outback:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Standard all-wheel drive, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine.

2021 Toyota RAV4:

• Pros: Quiet cabin, Plenty of cargo space, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Sluggish touchscreen response.

Our experts score the 2021 Subaru Outback 7.8/10 and the 2021 Toyota RAV4 7.3/10. The Outback comes across as the better value and the more confidence-inspiring choice if standard all-wheel drive matters to you. The RAV4 counters with a quieter cabin and more cargo space, but its performance and touchscreen response are less appealing. If you want the more practical, safety-forward pick, the Outback has the edge.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.