Used 2021 Subaru Outback for Sale nearSanta Barbara, CA

How much does the 2021 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 7.56% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,942 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — owners rate it 4.7/5, and our experts give it 7.8/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfortable ride, impressive safety features, and modern technology. The review summary also points to strong reliability, dependable everyday use, and long-term confidence, while the overview frames it as a practical, go-anywhere vehicle with generous space and strong value.

The trade-offs are that the base engine is underwhelming, and the touchscreen-based climate controls can be distracting. Even so, if you want a non-luxury wagon that prioritizes usefulness over flash, the Outback fits that brief well.

Good and great deals account for 36.8% of listings, which is a decent sign of market flexibility.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?

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

The owner summary emphasizes reliability, dependability, and trouble-free ownership, which is exactly what you want to hear for a used family vehicle. The expert notes also reinforce that the Outback is built around long-distance comfort, capability, and a durable, practical mission.

Subaru’s standard all-wheel-drive setup and the model’s reputation for low-cost ownership support that dependable image. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific vehicle has been maintained well, since a neglected example can erase the benefits of its strong reputation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not guaranteed. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the cabin controls, infotainment behavior, and overall wear, since the owner feedback points to touchscreen-related usability concerns. It also makes sense to compare trims closely, because lower trims leave out some convenience and safety equipment that matters in daily use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim uses two 7-inch touchscreens in a matte-plastic center stack, while Premium and above get the larger 11.6-inch portrait display. Higher trims also add more upscale materials, and the Limited and Touring trims bring a more premium feel.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter flat-four makes 182 horsepower and is described as slow and noisy under load. The turbocharged 2.4-liter XT engine delivers 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque and is much stronger for highway passing and heavier use.
• Safety package: Subaru EyeSight is standard on all trims 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 upper trims.
• Infotainment: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and the optional navigation is more modern-looking than the rest of the system. The 11.6-inch portrait display is standard on Premium and above, while the base dual-screen setup is the one to avoid if you want the cleanest interface.
• 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, Touring XT.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the least expensive way into the Outback, but it is also the one most clearly marked by the dual 7-inch screen setup and the missing convenience features that make the higher trims easier to live with.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch portrait display and moves you past the most stripped-down cabin presentation.
• Limited 2.5: This trim adds a more upscale feel and brings more safety equipment, making it a smart choice if you want comfort and daily usability without jumping to the turbo engine.
• Limited XT: This is the better pick if you want the stronger turbocharged powertrain along with a more premium feature set.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end choice for buyers who want the most upscale Outback experience and are willing to pay for it.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Premium and standard on all higher trims, so that safety-package step-up is worth noting as you move up the lineup.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,942 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.56% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,448, 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 $21,448 sits slightly below last year's $23,203.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now but may also mean slower appreciation if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the key is that the Outback still has strong value appeal thanks to its practical reputation and broad buyer interest. If you keep mileage reasonable and maintenance records clean, you should be in a better position when it’s time to list it.

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 Outback was a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and it earned 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 on all trims 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, and the chassis is described as stronger and stiffer than before.

There are some trim-level safety gaps to keep in mind. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Premium, while rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor are reserved for select upper trims. That means you should not assume every safety feature is standard just because the model has a strong overall safety reputation.

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:

• 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.56% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the Outback formula focused on practicality, space, and standard all-wheel drive.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,119, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,448 average.
• It brought a more modern feel with fresh safety tech and new engines.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,149, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,448 average.
• It adds a Wilderness-focused, more adventure-ready direction.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the sweet spot if you want the strongest mix of value, safety, and everyday usefulness. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the better price-first alternative, while the 2022 makes more sense only if you specifically want the more adventure-oriented direction.

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 has the edge if you care most about value and standard all-wheel drive, while the RAV4 leans more toward a quiet cabin and strong cargo utility. Both have great safety reputations, but the Outback’s base engine is the bigger compromise, and the RAV4’s touchscreen response is the more obvious usability drawback.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.