Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale near Traverse City, MI

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 $21,727
• 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: $21,727 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 463 listings
• View Crossover AWD listings

Premium Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want added comfort and features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $24,976 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,711 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 look and feel without going for the top-tier trims.

• Avg. market price: $26,318 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 681 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 without the highest price tag in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $27,627 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,130 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 going overboard on price.

• Avg. market price: $28,093 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 924 listings
• 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 refined features and comfort in their vehicle.

• Avg. market price: $29,060 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 674 listings
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 1,711 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 $21,727 avg market price — below the lineup median of $26,972 — 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 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 3.87% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,535 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

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 great safety features, reliable performance, and overall value. The user feedback also highlights its smooth driving experience and comfortable interior, along with strong AWD capability and rugged design. That lines up with the Forester’s practical mission: it’s built around usefulness, space, and all-weather confidence rather than flash.

The main trade-offs are the underwhelming engine and the poor voice recognition system. The overview also points to an uncomfortable back seat, so if you care most about power or rear-seat comfort, you should weigh those compromises carefully.

The Forester’s appeal is strongest if you want a rational compact SUV with standard AWD, generous cargo space, and a straightforward ownership experience. Good and great deals account for 36.6% 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.

User feedback repeatedly points to reliable performance, and it also emphasizes the Forester’s trouble-free, dependable character in everyday use. The expert evaluation adds that Subaru expects it to deliver good reliability over time, which supports the case for long-term ownership.

The Forester’s standard AWD setup and practical mechanical layout reinforce that dependable reputation. Subaru also notes that the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house for some buyers, which can help reduce early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic durability and more about living with its weaker powertrain and the possibility of higher repair exposure if prior maintenance was neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any specific listing, because a clean market average does not guarantee a clean individual vehicle. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with visible wear. Focus especially on cabin condition, electronic features, and how the vehicle drives under braking and acceleration.

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 and exclusive features, but the base model leaves out some equipment that many shoppers will want.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. It’s tuned for everyday usability rather than quick acceleration, and the lack of a turbocharged or electrified option is a key limitation.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the core driver-assistance suite, 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.
• Infotainment: The Base trim 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 touchscreen is available with navigation and premium audio.
• 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 entry point, and it gives you the Forester’s core strengths without much extra equipment. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable with a simpler feature set.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful convenience and tech upgrades, including satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services. It also unlocks more safety equipment than the Base trim.
• Sport: This trim adds more capability from the X-Mode system, including Deep Snow and Mud settings. It’s the right pick if you want a little more traction-management flexibility without jumping to the most expensive versions.
• Wilderness: This is the choice if you want the most off-road-oriented Forester in the lineup. It’s the trim to consider if your driving regularly takes you beyond pavement.
• 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 luxurious Forester, with the most upscale interior presentation and exclusive DriverFocus distraction mitigation. It’s the pick if you want the most features and don’t mind paying for them.

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 can shop patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,535 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.87% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,959, 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 $27,123 sits slightly below last year's $28,217.

That softer pricing trend suggests the Forester is currently more accessible to buyers than it was a year ago. For a future seller, that can mean less immediate upside if you buy at today’s average and resell soon after. On the other hand, the model’s practical reputation and broad shopper appeal can help support demand when it’s time to sell.

The market also appears to reward vehicles with strong owner satisfaction, which helps the Forester’s long-term resale outlook. If you maintain it well and keep mileage reasonable, you should be in a better position when it’s time to trade or sell.

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 safety story centers on Subaru’s next-generation EyeSight system, which uses updated software and cameras with a wider field of view. Models equipped with blind-spot monitoring also add Automatic Emergency Steering, and that feature is standard on all trims except the Base. Rear Automatic Braking is standard on Wilderness and Touring, optional on Limited, and not offered the same way across the lineup.

There are also some caveats to keep in mind. IIHS rated the Forester Acceptable in a new side-impact test and Marginal in a new small-overlap frontal-impact assessment, which is a step down from its prior Top Safety Pick+ standing. That means you should pay close attention to the vehicle’s condition and history, especially if you’re shopping used.

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:

• 36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.87% 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 $24,492, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $27,123 average.
• It emphasizes practicality, safety, and all-weather confidence.

The bottom line: If you want the better-rounded 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 better value path, especially if you find a clean example with the right equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.