Used 2023 Subaru Outback for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2023 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 9.28% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,258 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Subaru Outback a good car?

Generally — the 2023 Subaru Outback earns 4.3/5 from users and 7.8/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

It blends carlike manners with SUV utility, and the overview highlights standard all-wheel drive, strong safety systems, and broad usefulness. The expert review also points to fresh styling, new infotainment and safety technologies, and a more accessible price point for the Onyx Edition.

The main trade-offs are the underwhelming base engine and the potentially polarizing design. The frustrating voice recognition system is another drawback, especially if you expect the built-in tech to do a lot of the work for you.

For you, that means the Outback makes the most sense if you want a practical crossover with strong everyday versatility rather than a vehicle focused on quick acceleration or a universally appealing design. 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The overview emphasizes strong safety systems and broad usefulness, while the expert review describes the Outback as exceptionally safe and well suited to everyday versatility. Its standard all-wheel drive and capable chassis also support the sense that it is built for steady, repeatable use over time.

The performance write-up notes that the boxer engine design helps lower the center of gravity for better handling, and the drivetrain is paired with a CVT that Subaru programs to mimic eight forward gears. That combination points to a powertrain designed for smooth, predictable operation rather than drama.

The cost-effectiveness section also reinforces the value proposition, which matters for ownership because a vehicle that delivers utility without demanding a premium can be easier to live with long term. For used buyers, the main risk is that the base engine may feel strained if you regularly ask for passing power or mountain-driving performance.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on overall condition, because the Outback’s appeal depends heavily on how well it has been maintained and whether its utility features still feel fresh and functional.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base trim is the most stripped-down version, while Premium and higher trims add more convenience and tech. The Onyx Edition stands out for blacked-out exterior trim and water-resistant upholstery, and Touring brings the most upscale cabin presentation.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 182 horsepower and can feel underpowered, while the turbocharged 2.4-liter XT setup delivers 260 hp and stronger passing and climbing ability. The turbo also comes with a fuel-economy trade-off.
• Safety package: EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert requires an option package on Premium or an upgrade to Onyx Edition, and Limited and Touring add a wide-angle mono camera.
• Infotainment: Base models use a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM. Starting with Premium, the 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus available connected services and other tech features depending on trim.
• Fuel efficiency: The test vehicle returned 25.6 mpg in combined driving, and the EPA figure cited for that test vehicle was 28 mpg combined. XT models are generally rated at 25 mpg combined, while Wilderness is rated at 23 mpg combined.

Which 2023 Subaru Outback trim should I buy?

The 2023 Subaru Outback is offered in 6 trim levels: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, and Wilderness.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Outback formula with standard all-wheel drive and the basic 7-inch infotainment setup. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it is also the least equipped and the one most likely to leave you wanting more tech and convenience.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it unlocks the larger 11.6-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone connectivity. It also sits at the point where the Outback starts to feel much more modern without pushing you into the pricier upper trims.
• Onyx Edition: This is the style-forward choice, with black wheels and trim plus water-resistant upholstery. It also makes the blind-spot monitoring package available, and it is a smart pick if you want a more distinctive look and a more rugged-feeling cabin.
• Limited: This trim adds more upscale equipment and is one of the trims that can get the wide-angle mono camera. It suits you if you want a more premium-feeling Outback without going all the way to Touring.
• Touring: This is the most luxurious mainstream trim, and the expert review’s test vehicle shows how upscale it can feel with Nappa leather and a more polished cabin presentation. It is the right choice if comfort and refinement matter more to you than price.
• Wilderness: This is the adventure-focused trim, with the raised stance and more capable X-Mode system. Choose it if your priorities lean toward rougher terrain and outdoor use rather than on-road polish.

The safety package is strongest once you move beyond the base setup, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert requires either the Premium option package or the Onyx Edition.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,258 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.28% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 87.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $25,191, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Subaru Outback's resale value?

The current average of $25,191 sits slightly below last year's $27,768.

That softer pricing can help you as a buyer now, but it also means a future seller may need to be realistic about expectations if the market stays loose. The current trend suggests the Outback is not in a rising-price phase, so resale gains are less likely to come from market momentum alone.

Even so, the model’s broad usefulness and strong safety reputation should help it remain appealing to used shoppers. Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2023 Subaru Outback safe?

The 2023 Subaru Outback earns top marks across the board from IIHS, including in the more stringent side-impact crash test.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist in the Base model. To get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, you need an option package on Premium or an upgrade to Onyx Edition.

With those features present, EyeSight also adds Automatic Emergency Steering, and Limited and Touring offer a wide-angle mono camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. The safety tech is comprehensive, but the rear automatic braking system can be incompatible with some driveways, which is worth keeping in mind if you rely on that feature.

Should I buy a 2023 Subaru Outback 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:

• 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.28% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds fresh styling, new infotainment and safety technologies, and a more accessible Onyx Edition price point.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,295, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $25,191 average.
• It emphasizes a more adventure-focused Wilderness setup.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $28,117, the 2024 costs more than the current year's $25,191 average.
• It broadens trim choice and adds feature-enriched updates.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, updated tech, and strong safety, the 2023 is the primary path to consider. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2022 is the cheaper alternative, while the 2024 makes sense if you want to pay more for the newer trim spread.

How does the 2023 Subaru Outback compare to the 2023 Toyota RAV4?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Subaru Outback:

• Pros: Great safety ratings, Excellent value for money, Impressive off-roading capability (for a crossover).
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Potentially polarizing design, Frustrating voice recognition system.

2023 Toyota RAV4:

• Pros: Attractive styling, Freshly updated infotainment system, Multiple powertrain options.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Not as spacious as some competitors.

Our experts score the 2023 Subaru Outback 7.8/10 and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 7.8/10. The Outback leans harder into safety, value, and capability, while the RAV4 counters with broader powertrain choice and a fresher infotainment setup. If you want a more rugged, utility-first crossover, the Outback has the edge; if you care more about styling and tech variety, the RAV4 is the more obvious alternative.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.