Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale near California

Compare 2023 Subaru Forester Trims

The Forester lineup offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $21,612
• Best MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium Crossover AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $21,612 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 670 listings
• View Crossover AWD listings

Premium Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped vehicle for adventures without going overboard on price.

• Avg. market price: $24,933 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 3,155 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Premium Crossover AWD listings

Sport Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with advanced technology without stepping up to a higher price tier.

• Avg. market price: $26,661 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,483 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Sport Crossover AWD listings

Limited Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features without the highest price tag in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $27,878 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,793 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited Crossover AWD listings

Wilderness Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want rugged capability and premium features for off-road adventures.

• Avg. market price: $28,386 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,509 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Wilderness Crossover AWD listings

Touring Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most luxurious features and technology in the Forester lineup.

• Avg. market price: $29,287 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,171 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 3,155 active listings, the Premium Crossover AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium Crossover AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Crossover AWD

At $21,612 avg market price — below the lineup median of $27,269 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

The Crossover AWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 26/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 4.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,626 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Subaru Forester earns a 4.6/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise its safety features, reliable performance, and overall value. They also highlight the smooth driving experience, comfortable interior, and AWD capability, with the rugged design appealing to outdoor-minded buyers.

The main trade-offs are the underwhelming engine and the limited power delivery, along with a CVT that some owners dislike. In practical terms, the Forester fits you best if you want a useful compact SUV that prioritizes safety, space, and all-weather confidence over flash.

With 35.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s a decent amount of market value to be found.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to reliable performance, trouble-free ownership, and confidence in the Forester’s long-term usefulness. The expert evaluation also describes it as a vehicle that should deliver good reliability over time, which reinforces its appeal if you want something you can count on.

Subaru’s practical setup and standard all-wheel drive support that dependability-minded reputation, and the model’s straightforward cabin layout can make day-to-day ownership easier. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the same age-related issues affecting comfort, power, and crashworthiness may matter more as mileage climbs.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Subaru Forester?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are not the same thing as problem-free vehicles. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the drivetrain, cabin condition, and any signs of hard use. Given the Forester’s practical mission, pay close attention to how well the interior, controls, and cargo area have held up.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base trim leaves out blind-spot monitoring, while higher trims add more convenience and safety equipment. Touring stands out with exclusive interior touches, an 8-inch touchscreen, and DriverFocus.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and all-wheel drive. The setup is tuned for everyday usability rather than strong acceleration.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the core driver-assistance suite, and blind-spot monitoring adds Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on Base, optional on Premium, and standard on other trims.
• Infotainment: Base gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Premium adds satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services, while an 8-inch screen is available with navigation and premium audio.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 25.9 mpg on the test route, and the official combined rating is 29 mpg.

Which 2023 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2023 Subaru Forester is offered in 6 trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value entry point if you want standard all-wheel drive, the core Forester formula, and the lowest price. It makes the most sense if you care more about utility than features.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds satellite radio, HD Radio, connected services, and blind-spot monitoring as an option. It also unlocks more X-Mode capability than Base.
• Sport: Choose this if you want more traction-management capability, since it adds deeper X-Mode settings and builds on the Premium equipment set.
• Wilderness: This is the pick if you want the most off-road-focused Forester, with the most rugged capability and the highest roof-rail rating mentioned in the review.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience, and it can be a smart middle ground if you want more equipment without going all the way to Touring.
• Touring: This is the most upscale Forester, with exclusive interior trim, the 8-inch touchscreen, premium audio, and DriverFocus. It suits you best if you want the most features and the most polished cabin.

Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on Base, optional on Premium, and standard on all other trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Subaru Forester?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,626 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,960, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Subaru Forester's resale value?

The current average of $27,197 sits slightly below last year's $28,397.

That price movement suggests the market has eased, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect some depreciation pressure if you plan to trade in soon.

Even so, the Forester’s practical reputation and broad shopper appeal can help support demand over time. Models with cleaner histories and stronger equipment levels should be easier to resell than stripped or heavily worn examples.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2023 Subaru Forester earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and five-star ratings across the board from NHTSA, plus a four-star rollover resistance rating.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The Forester’s next-generation EyeSight system is the key driver-assistance suite, with updated software and cameras that widen the field of view. Blind-spot monitoring adds Automatic Emergency Steering, and that feature is unavailable on Base, optional on Premium, and standard on the other trims. Rear Automatic Braking comes on Wilderness and Touring, with Limited offering it as an option.

There are also a couple of caveats to keep in mind. IIHS gave the Forester an Acceptable side-impact result and a Marginal small-overlap frontal result, which are worth noting if safety is a top priority. The Rear Automatic Braking system can also be overly sensitive in some situations.

Should I buy a 2023 Subaru Forester or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds next-generation EyeSight safety features and an improved standard infotainment system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,608, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $27,197 average.
• It emphasizes practicality, safety, and all-weather confidence.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2023 if you want the newer safety and infotainment updates along with a still-softening price trend. If your priority is spending less upfront, the 2022 is the better value play, especially if you find a clean example with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.