Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2023 Subaru Forester Trims in Columbia, SC

The 2023 Subaru Forester offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $17,990
• 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: $17,990 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 35 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 without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $21,933 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 101 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 blend of adventure-ready features and sporty styling.

• Avg. market price: $23,980 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• 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 and advanced technology in their vehicle.

• Avg. market price: $29,997 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 93 listings
• View Limited Crossover AWD listings

Wilderness Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want enhanced off-road capability without compromising comfort.

• Avg. market price: $23,980 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 69 listings
• View Wilderness Crossover AWD listings

Touring Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded vehicle with all the latest tech features.

• Avg. market price: $25,998 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 44 listings
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 101 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 $17,990 avg market price — below the lineup median of $23,980 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

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

Browse Crossover AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 3.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,682 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection to compare.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Subaru Forester earns 4.6/5 from owners and 7.33/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise its safety features, reliable performance, overall value, smooth driving experience, and comfortable interior. The Forester also stands out for its AWD capability and rugged design, which makes it especially appealing if you want a practical SUV for everyday use and outdoor trips.

The trade-offs are clear: the engine is underwhelming, and the back seat is uncomfortable. Even so, the Forester’s practical layout, roomy cabin, and broad usefulness make it a strong fit if you value function over flash.

Good and great deals account for 37.0% of listings, which is a healthy sign that you can still find attractive pricing.

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 a vehicle people feel good about keeping for the long haul. The expert evaluation also describes it as a vehicle with good reliability over time and a strong focus on practicality and durability.

That said, used buyers should still watch for wear tied to age, mileage, and prior use, especially because long-term ownership risk depends heavily on maintenance history and condition.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the drivetrain, brakes, suspension, and interior condition, since comfort and usability matter a lot in this model. Focus especially on how the cabin, controls, and rear seat have held up, because those are the kinds of details that shape day-to-day satisfaction.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience. The Touring trim stands out with upscale interior materials, an 8-inch touchscreen, and exclusive driver-monitoring tech.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The engine is adequate, but it is not especially strong, and there is no turbocharged or electrified option.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the core driver-assistance suite, and blind-spot monitoring adds Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on the Base trim, optional on Premium, and standard on all other trims.
• Infotainment: The Base trim gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims can add an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, satellite radio, HD Radio, connected services, and a premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 25.9 mpg in testing, and the official combined rating is 29 mpg. The Wilderness model is rated at 26 mpg combined.

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 simplest way into the Forester, and it gives you the core formula of standard AWD, a roomy cabin, and basic infotainment. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and can live without the extra convenience and safety features found higher up.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds useful equipment without pushing too far up the price ladder. It also brings blind-spot monitoring as an option and adds more connected and audio features.
• Sport: This trim adds more capability from the X-Mode system, including deeper off-road settings, so it suits you if you want a little more traction management for rough weather or dirt roads.
• Wilderness: Choose this if you want the most rugged version of the Forester. It is the trim for buyers who care most about tougher terrain and extra off-road capability.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience, and it can be a smart middle ground if you want a more upscale feel without going all the way to Touring.
• Touring: This is the most upscale Forester, with the richest interior treatment, the available 8-inch touchscreen setup, premium audio, DriverFocus, and rear automatic braking. It is the right pick if you want the most features and the most polished cabin experience.

Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on the Base trim, 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 have room to shop carefully without waiting forever.

• Deal availability: 37.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,682 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.94% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 88.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,950, 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 $26,950 sits slightly below last year's $28,057.

That price movement suggests the Forester has softened a bit in the near term, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means resale performance will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim choice rather than market momentum alone. Well-kept examples should still benefit from the model’s practical reputation and broad shopper appeal.

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 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 big safety update for 2023, with updated software and cameras that widen the field of view. The standard driver-assistance setup includes collision avoidance technology, and models with blind-spot monitoring add Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on the Base trim, optional on Premium, and standard on all other trims.

There are also a couple of caveats to keep in mind. IIHS gives the Forester an Acceptable rating in a new side-impact test and a Marginal rating in a small-overlap frontal test, so its crashworthiness is not flawless. Rear Automatic Braking is standard on Wilderness and Touring, optional on Limited, and it defaults to on each time you restart the vehicle.

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:

• 37.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds next-generation EyeSight safety tech and an improved standard infotainment system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,385, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $26,950 average.
• It adds fresh design details, upgraded EyeSight tech, and improved utility features.

The 2023 is the better pick if you want the newer safety and infotainment updates along with a still-reasonable market price. If your priority is saving money upfront, the 2022 is the smarter value play, especially if you find one in strong condition with the features you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.