Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale nearRockford, IL

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.

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: $21,722 (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 4.44% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,726 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for used shoppers.

If you find a listing below $26,961.27, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester a good car?

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

Drivers consistently praise its safety features, reliable performance, and overall value. They also like the smooth driving experience, comfortable interior, and AWD capability, with rugged design coming up as a plus for outdoor use.

The trade-offs are familiar: the engine is underwhelming, and some owners mention the CVT and limited power. In practice, that means you should expect a practical, easy-to-live-with SUV rather than something quick or especially engaging.

The Forester’s appeal is strongest if you want a roomy compact SUV that prioritizes usefulness, all-weather confidence, and everyday value. Good and great deals account for 32.9% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

Drivers describe it as reliable, with dependable performance and a vehicle they feel good about keeping over time. The expert evaluation also points to good reliability over time, and the Forester’s practical, confidence-inspiring driving character supports that impression.

The ownership picture is helped by its straightforward, no-nonsense setup and strong everyday usability. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that age-related wear may show up in the areas already called out here: powertrain refinement, cabin comfort, and crashworthiness concerns.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, because accident-free listings are not the same thing as problem-free vehicles. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with visible wear. Focus on overall condition, especially the cabin, controls, and any signs of hard use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more convenience and comfort features. Base also misses blind-spot monitoring, which becomes optional on Premium and standard on the other trims.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive. The setup is tuned for everyday usefulness, but the engine is described as merely adequate and the model lacks a turbocharged or electrified option.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the core driver-assistance suite, and it uses updated software and cameras for a wider field of view. Blind-spot monitoring adds Automatic Emergency Steering, while Rear Automatic Braking is standard on Wilderness and Touring and optional on Limited.
• Infotainment: Base gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims can add an 8-inch screen, navigation, and Harman Kardon audio, but wireless smartphone charging is absent.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 25.9 mpg in testing, 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, but it is the most basic version and misses blind-spot monitoring. Choose it only if you want the lowest price and can live with fewer convenience and safety features.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday convenience, including satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services, while also making blind-spot monitoring available.
• Sport: This trim adds more traction-management capability than Premium, including additional X-Mode settings, so it suits you if you want a little more capability without jumping to the specialty models.
• Wilderness: This is the choice if you want the most off-road-oriented Forester, with the most rugged capability in the lineup.
• Limited: This trim is a smart step up if you want more comfort and can appreciate the optional Rear Automatic Braking feature.
• Touring: This is the most upscale Forester, with the 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, premium audio, exclusive interior trim, Rear Automatic Braking, and DriverFocus.

The safety package centers on EyeSight, and blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on Base, optional on Premium, and standard on the rest.

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

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 32.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,726 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.44% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,961.27, 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 $27,266 sits slightly below last year's $28,534.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means your upside depends more on condition, mileage, and trim choice than on broad market momentum.

Because the Forester still draws strong shopper interest for practicality and value, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than less desirable rivals. 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 receives five-star ratings across the board from NHTSA, plus a four-star rollover resistance rating.

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

The standard safety story centers on Subaru’s next-generation EyeSight system, which uses updated software and cameras for a wider field of view. Models with blind-spot monitoring also add Automatic Emergency Steering, and Rear Automatic Braking is standard on Wilderness and Touring, optional on Limited.

There are some caveats you should know about. IIHS rated the Forester Acceptable in a new side-impact test and Marginal in a new small-overlap frontal-impact assessment. Blind-spot monitoring is also unavailable on Base, so you should pay close attention to trim if safety tech matters to you.

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:

• 32.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.44% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The updated EyeSight system and improved standard infotainment make this year especially appealing.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,751, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $27,266 average.
• It adds fresh design details, upgraded EyeSight tech, and improved utility features.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of current pricing, updated safety tech, and strong shopper demand, the 2023 is the better all-around pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2022 is the more budget-friendly alternative and still brings many of the Forester’s core strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.