How much does the 2021 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 7.07% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,895 listings available, which gives you a healthy pool to compare prices and equipment. If you find a listing below $21,949.17, 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. They also highlight the turbocharged engine option as a meaningful upgrade, and the Outback’s reliability and long-term appeal come through in the overall feedback. The trade-offs are cabin storage concerns and touchscreen-based climate controls that can be distracting to use while driving.

For your use case, the Outback makes the most sense if you want a practical, capable vehicle with family-friendly space and all-weather confidence. The market also shows 33.5% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?

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

Owner feedback emphasizes reliability, dependability, and a vehicle that feels easy to count on over time. The expert evaluation also reinforces that theme by describing Subaru’s focus on reliability and low cost, while noting the Outback’s long-distance comfort and durable, go-anywhere character. Subaru also includes standard maintenance-friendly ownership value in its broader cost-effectiveness pitch.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is choosing a poorly maintained example, especially if you want the stronger turbo powertrain and higher-trim equipment.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the touchscreen interface, climate-control usability, and overall cabin condition. Focus on how the vehicle was used and maintained, since the Outback’s appeal depends heavily on comfort, safety tech, and everyday practicality.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim misses the brighter, larger 11.6-inch display and uses a less appealing dual-screen setup, while Premium and above get the more polished layout.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter flat-four is slow and noisy, while the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four delivers much stronger performance and smoother response.
• 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: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the larger single screen is more cohesive than the base dual-screen setup. The system’s interface still feels dated, and the optional navigation is more modern-looking.
• 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, Touring, Onyx Edition XT.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: It gives you the essentials, but it lacks the better 11.6-inch display and the more polished interior presentation found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: Premium is the best value if you want the improved screen and a more complete everyday experience without jumping to the pricier turbo models.
• Premium/top trim: Touring is the most upscale choice, with the richest materials and the most complete comfort-and-tech mix for daily driving.
• Off-road trim: Onyx Edition XT is the one to choose if you want the turbo engine and extra traction-oriented capability, but it makes more sense for adventurous use than for a typical commute.

Subaru EyeSight is standard across the lineup, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert start on Premium and move up from there.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,895 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.07% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,949.17, 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 $22,653 sits slightly below last year's $24,376.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. If you plan to sell later, the current softness may limit short-term appreciation, but it also means you may have less depreciation left to absorb than a buyer who purchased at last year’s higher average. Strong demand for practical, safety-focused wagons should still support interest when it’s time to resell.

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 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It also earns four-star ratings for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for rollover, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests.

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. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Premium and standard on higher trims, while rear emergency braking and driver-attention monitoring are reserved for select upper trims.

One caveat is that EyeSight relies on forward-facing cameras rather than radar, so its performance can be reduced when visibility is blocked or conditions get tricky.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.07% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.71/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines strong safety, standard AWD, and a more polished interior than the prior year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,213, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,653 average.
• It introduced a stronger platform and kept the Outback’s utility-focused formula.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,245, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,653 average.
• It adds the Wilderness trim for more serious off-road 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 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense if you specifically want the Wilderness-focused upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 31, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.