How much does the 2022 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 7.98% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 4,131 listings available, you have a solid amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $24,845.19, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2022 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2022 Subaru Forester earns a 4.62/5 user rating and an 8.00/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Form and function, Cost effectiveness, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its comfortable ride, safety features, and spacious interior, and many also value its AWD capability and technology. That lines up with the Forester’s practical, confidence-first character: it is built for everyday usefulness, poor-weather traction, and a roomy cabin rather than flash.

The main trade-offs are its potentially polarizing styling and fairly pedestrian performance. In other words, if you want a practical SUV that prioritizes utility and security over excitement, this year’s Forester fits that brief well.

With 29.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still meaningful room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 4.62/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a vehicle people trust for the long haul, with repeated praise for its dependable feel, comfortable daily use, and confidence-inspiring AWD. That kind of feedback matters when you are shopping used, because it suggests the Forester is the sort of SUV buyers feel comfortable counting on over time.

The expert evaluation also reinforces that impression by describing the Forester as durable and secure, with a practical setup that is easy to live with. Subaru’s cost-effectiveness notes also frame it as a vehicle known for holding its value over time.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about the concept and more about finding one that has been maintained well and not worn hard.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Subaru Forester?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 87% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if it looks clean on the lot. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the suspension, tires, brakes, and any signs of off-road use or cosmetic wear, especially if you are considering a Wilderness model. Focus on cabin condition too, since the Forester’s usefulness depends heavily on how well the interior has held up.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model starts with standard all-wheel drive and a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims add more convenience and tech. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring get the larger 8-inch screen, and the Wilderness adds a more rugged setup with extra ground clearance and protective hardware.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive. The Wilderness version adds a CVT design Subaru says improves initial torque supply and raises towing capacity to 3,000 pounds.
• Safety package: EyeSight 4.0 is the standard driver-assistance suite, and it includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking are also part of the safety picture, while Touring adds DriverFocus.
• Infotainment: Base models get a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring use an 8-inch screen, and that setup can add navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.
• Fuel efficiency: The Wilderness is rated at 26 mpg combined, and the test vehicle returned 25.9 mpg in mixed driving.

Which 2022 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2022 Subaru Forester is offered in 6 trim levels: base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• base: This is the entry point if you want standard all-wheel drive, the 6.5-inch touchscreen, and the core Forester formula without paying for extras. It makes sense if your priority is value and you do not need the larger screen or added convenience features.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds useful everyday equipment without pushing the price too far up. It is the trim to target if you want a more complete version of the Forester’s comfort-and-utility mission.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a slightly more expressive version of the Forester with a different personality than the lower trims. It sits in the middle of the lineup and gives you a step up without jumping all the way to the more specialized models.
• Wilderness: This is the one to buy if you want the most off-pavement capability. It adds extra ground clearance, all-terrain tires, a front skid plate, a full-size spare, and the 180-degree forward-view camera, making it the clear pick for adventurous use.
• Limited: This trim is the right move if you want the larger 8-inch screen and a more upscale-feeling equipment mix without going all the way to the top. It is a strong choice for buyers who want comfort and tech to matter as much as utility.
• Touring: Pick this if you want the most fully equipped Forester, including DriverFocus and the added convenience features that come with the top trim. It is the best fit if you want the most premium version of the model.

Touring adds DriverFocus, which monitors for drowsiness and distraction, and the safety package is strongest as you move up the lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Subaru Forester?

The market looks selective rather than overheated, so you can shop with patience and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 29.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,131 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.98% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 87.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,845.19, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2022 Subaru Forester's resale value?

The current average of $24,844 sits slightly below last year's $26,999.

That price movement suggests the Forester has already absorbed some of its recent market softness, which can help future sellers if demand stays steady. A lower current entry price can also make the vehicle easier to move later, especially if you buy well and keep mileage and condition in check.

The Forester’s practical reputation and strong owner satisfaction should continue to support buyer interest. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.62/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2022 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2022 Forester earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in all evaluations except rollover resistance, which gets a four-star assessment.

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

Subaru’s EyeSight 4.0 suite is standard and includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and Automatic Emergency Steering. The Forester also includes a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking, while Touring adds DriverFocus for drowsiness and distraction monitoring.

One caveat is that the Wilderness may require re-testing because of its modified height.

Should I buy a 2022 Subaru Forester or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 29.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 87% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.98% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Subaru adds the Wilderness trim and upgraded EyeSight tech this year.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $22,426, the 2021 costs less than the current year's $24,844 average.
• It is a value-focused, safety-first compact SUV.

Consider the 2023 if:

• At $27,360, the 2023 costs more than the current year's $24,844 average.
• It adds refined safety and infotainment updates.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and updated equipment, the 2022 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2021 is the better value play, while the 2023 makes sense only if you want the newer-year updates and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.