Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale near Illinois

Compare 2023 Subaru Forester Trims

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 $21,722
• 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.

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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: $21,722 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 669 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: $25,063 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 3,165 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 stylish and sporty option without sacrificing practicality.

• Avg. market price: $26,763 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,437 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 and comfort without stepping up to the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $28,025 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,775 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 for off-road adventures without compromising on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $28,568 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,473 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 advanced tech and luxury features in the Forester lineup.

• Avg. market price: $29,496 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,142 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 3,165 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 $21,722 avg market price — below the lineup median of $27,394 — 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 September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 4.31% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,642 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable range of choices.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester a good car?

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

Drivers consistently praise its great safety features, reliable performance, and overall value. The feedback also points to a smooth driving experience, a comfortable interior, and strong appeal if you want AWD capability and a rugged design for outdoor use.

The trade-offs are familiar ones: the engine is underwhelming, and some owners mention the CVT and limited power. That lines up with the Forester’s mission as a practical compact SUV that prioritizes usefulness, safety, and all-weather confidence over flash or speed.

Good and great deals account for 34.4% of listings, so there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback also points to a vehicle that feels reliable, dependable, and well suited to long-term ownership. The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing it as a vehicle that should deliver good reliability over time and by emphasizing its practical, confidence-inspiring nature.

That said, used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance history, because long-term ownership risk is best managed by verifying how the vehicle was cared for.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the drivetrain, cabin condition, and any signs of hard use. Given the Forester’s practical mission, condition matters most where wear and tear would show up in everyday family use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more comfort, convenience, and appearance upgrades. The Touring trim stands out with exclusive Saddle Brown leather and trim, exposed stitching, metallic accents, and upscale exterior details.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive. The engine is described as merely adequate, so you should expect efficiency and traction more than strong acceleration.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the core driver-assistance suite, and Subaru says the next-generation version uses updated software and cameras with a wider field of view. Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on the Base trim, optional on Premium, and standard on all other trims; Automatic Emergency Steering comes with blind-spot monitoring. Rear Automatic Braking is standard on Wilderness and Touring, and optional on Limited.
• Infotainment: The Base trim gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Premium adds satellite radio, HD Radio, Starlink connected services, remote engine starting, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An 8-inch touchscreen is available, along with navigation and Harman Kardon audio.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 25.9 mpg on the test route, and the official combined rating is 29 mpg. The Wilderness model is rated at 26 mpg in combined driving.

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-focused starting point, but it is also the most basic version. It makes sense if you want the Forester’s standard all-wheel drive and core practicality at the lowest entry price.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds useful everyday upgrades like satellite radio, HD Radio, Starlink connected services, remote engine starting, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Sport: This trim adds more capability from the X-Mode system, including Deep Snow and Mud settings, so it suits you if you want a little more traction-management flexibility.
• Wilderness: Choose this if you want the most off-road-oriented Forester in the lineup, with numerous modifications that make it especially capable when conditions get rough.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want a more upscale feel and the option of Rear Automatic Braking without moving all the way to Touring.
• Touring: This is the most luxurious Forester, with the best-looking exterior treatment, Saddle Brown leather, an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Harman Kardon audio, Rear Automatic Braking, and DriverFocus.

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 is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,642 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.31% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.4% 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 $27,237 sits slightly below last year's $28,463.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper upside if you plan to resell soon. Even so, the Forester’s practical reputation and broad appeal should help it stay relevant with shoppers who want standard all-wheel drive and everyday usefulness.

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 receives 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 EyeSight driver-assistance suite is the headline safety upgrade for this model year, with updated software and cameras that widen the field of view. Subaru also adds Automatic Emergency Steering when blind-spot monitoring is equipped, and blind-spot monitoring itself is unavailable on the Base trim, optional on Premium, and standard on all other trims. Rear Automatic Braking is standard on Wilderness and Touring, optional on Limited.

There are also a couple of caveats to keep in mind. IIHS rates the Forester Acceptable in its side-impact test and Marginal in a small-overlap frontal test, so you should not assume every crash scenario is equally strong.

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:

• 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.31% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• This year brings next-generation EyeSight safety features and an improved standard infotainment system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,690, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $27,237 average.
• It emphasizes practicality, safety, and all-weather confidence.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping target, the 2023 is the stronger pick because it combines softer pricing, strong inventory, and updated safety and tech. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2022 is the more budget-friendly alternative and still delivers the Forester’s core practicality.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.