Used 2021 Subaru Outback for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2021 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 7.48% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,977 listings available, which gives you a solid amount 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 review summary also points to strong performance enthusiasm around the turbocharged engine option, along with the Outback’s practical, everyday usefulness.

The trade-offs are familiar: the base engine is underwhelming, cabin storage could be better, and the touchscreen-based climate controls can be distracting. That fits the Outback’s role as a practical, confidence-first vehicle for you if you value space, capability, and low-fuss ownership more than flash.

Good and great deals percentage: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests 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.

The owner summary points to a comfortable, dependable-feeling vehicle with strong safety features and modern technology, and it also suggests buyers appreciate the Outback’s long-term usefulness. The expert review reinforces that impression by emphasizing reliability, low cost, and high resale value as core strengths.

The expert review also notes that Subaru’s approach is straightforward and built around what people really need, which supports the idea of a durable, easy-to-live-with ownership experience. If you’re buying used, the main long-term risk is making sure the vehicle has been maintained well enough to preserve that reputation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any specific listing, because accident-free share is a market-wide figure, not a guarantee for the car you’re considering. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if you’re looking at higher-mileage examples or trims with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, especially the cabin, controls, and any signs of hard use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim uses two 7-inch touchscreens, while Premium and above get the 11.6-inch portrait display. Higher trims also add more upscale materials, and the Limited and Touring trims bring leather upholstery and contrast stitching.
• Powertrain: The base 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 the stronger choice if you want easier highway passing.
• 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 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 single large screen is the better setup than the base dual-screen arrangement.
• 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, and Onyx Edition XT.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the least expensive way into the Outback, but it’s also the one to approach carefully because the base setup misses the more appealing large-screen interior and is the trim the review team says to avoid if you can.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch portrait display and improves the cabin experience without pushing you into the highest price tiers.
• Limited: This trim adds a more upscale feel with leather upholstery and contrast stitching, and it also unlocks more available safety equipment.
• Touring: This is the most comfort-focused choice, with the richest interior presentation and the most complete safety content in the lineup.
• Onyx Edition XT: This is the pick if you want the turbocharged engine and a more rugged, adventure-leaning personality; it also brings unique materials and extra drive modes.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Premium and standard on higher trims, so that’s an important safety-package step up to watch for.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you’re a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,977 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.48% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,538, 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 $21,538 sits slightly below last year's $23,279.

That price movement suggests the Outback has become more affordable for used buyers, which can help keep demand healthy in the near term. For a future seller, that means you may not see the same peak pricing as before, but the model’s broad appeal still supports a strong market position.

Because the Outback is known for value, safety, and practicality, it tends to attract steady shopper interest. 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 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 on all trims and includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system works well on marked highways, though it relies on cameras rather than radar. A driver’s knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag are standard, and additional driver aids such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor are added or made available depending on trim.

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:

• 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.48% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It emphasizes practicality, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,234, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,538 average.
• It adds a more modern feel with fresh safety tech and new engines.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,295, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,538 average.
• It introduces the Wilderness trim for more adventure-focused capability.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday usefulness, the 2021 is the smart default. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while keeping the same core 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 is the better pick if you want standard all-wheel drive and stronger value, while the RAV4 leans into a quieter cabin and more cargo space. Both are safety-minded choices, but the Outback’s base engine is the bigger compromise if you care about acceleration.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.