Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale nearZebulon, NC

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 $21,434
• 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: $21,434 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 454 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: $24,941 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,764 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 added tech features for their adventures.

• Avg. market price: $25,863 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 717 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 comfort for everyday driving and weekend getaways.

• Avg. market price: $27,188 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,206 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 off-road features for adventurous outings.

• Avg. market price: $27,620 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 918 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 ultimate in luxury and technology for a premium driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $28,665 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 709 listings
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 1,764 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 $21,434 avg market price — below the lineup median of $26,525 — 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 October 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 3.84% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,672 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

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, and many also like the smooth driving experience and comfortable interior. The Forester’s AWD capability and rugged design are recurring positives, especially if you want something that fits outdoor use and everyday practicality.

The trade-offs are clear: the engine is underwhelming, voice recognition is poor, and the back seat is uncomfortable. That lines up with the Forester’s use case as a practicality-first compact SUV rather than a vehicle built around speed or flash.

Good and great deals account for 36.1% 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 points to reliable performance, and the expert review also describes the Forester as a vehicle that should deliver good reliability over time. Its practical, straightforward design supports that impression, especially if you value a simple ownership experience.

The cost-effectiveness review also notes that Subaru expects it to deliver good reliability over time. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about durability and more about living with the weak engine, poor voice recognition, and comfort compromises.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the cabin, infotainment, and driver-assistance systems, since those are the areas where day-to-day satisfaction can swing the most. Focus on overall condition and how the vehicle was used, especially if you plan to rely on it for commuting, family duty, or outdoor trips.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but it misses blind-spot monitoring and the CD player found on higher trims. Premium adds satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services, while Touring brings upscale interior materials, an 8-inch touchscreen, and DriverFocus. The best-value trim is the Premium if you want a stronger feature set without moving too far up the price ladder.
• 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. Subaru’s SI-Drive adds a Sport mode, and X-Mode is standard on all but the Base trim.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the core driver-assistance suite, and Subaru says the 2023 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, optional on Limited.
• Infotainment: The Base trim uses a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An 8-inch touchscreen is available, along with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. Wireless smartphone charging is not offered.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 25.9 mpg in testing, and the official EPA 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, but it leaves out blind-spot monitoring and the larger infotainment setup. It makes sense if you want standard AWD and the lowest entry price, but most shoppers will want to move up.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many buyers because it adds satellite radio, HD Radio, Starlink connected services, and blind-spot monitoring as an option. It also gets X-Mode with Normal, Snow, and Dirt settings, which makes it a strong all-around choice.
• Sport: This trim adds more capability-oriented X-Mode settings, including Deep Snow and Mud, and it builds on the Premium’s equipment. It suits you if you want a little more traction-management flexibility without jumping to the Wilderness.
• Wilderness: This is the choice if you want the most off-road-focused Forester, with extra capability and Rear Automatic Braking standard. It is the right pick if your driving regularly includes rougher terrain.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience, and Rear Automatic Braking is available here as an option. It fits you if you want a more upscale Forester without going all the way to Touring.
• Touring: This is the most upscale Forester, with exclusive Saddle Brown leather, an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, Rear Automatic Braking, and DriverFocus. It is the trim to choose if you want the most features and the most polished cabin.

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

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,672 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.84% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 88.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,871, 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 $26,871 sits slightly below last year's $27,944.

That price movement suggests the Forester has softened a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper near-term resale upside for a future seller. Even so, the model’s practical reputation and broad appeal should help it remain easy to move when you decide to sell.

Because demand tends to stay healthy for vehicles with strong owner satisfaction, the Forester’s 4.6/5 rating supports buyer interest over time. That kind of reputation can help cushion resale value even when market prices drift lower.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2023 Forester earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and it 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 key safety suite is EyeSight, which Subaru says now 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, and it unlocks Automatic Emergency Steering. Rear Automatic Braking is standard on Wilderness and Touring and optional on Limited.

There are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. IIHS gives the Forester an Acceptable rating in its new side-impact test and a Marginal rating in its small-overlap frontal-impact assessment, so its crashworthiness is not flawless even though the NHTSA results are 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:

• 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.84% 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 $24,216, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $26,871 average.
• It adds fresh design details, an upgraded EyeSight package, and improved utility features.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping target, the 2023 is the stronger pick because it combines softer pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and updated safety and infotainment tech. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2022 is the better value path, especially if you find one in clean condition with the features you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.