Used 2025 Subaru Forester for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

How much does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 5.28% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,671 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping. If you find a listing below $31,692.06, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2025 Subaru Forester earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

It fits you well if you want a practical compact crossover that emphasizes continuity, standard all-wheel drive, and everyday usability over a dramatic redesign. The 2025 update also brings a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a quieter cabin.

The trade-offs are clear: generic styling and dated infotainment graphics remain part of the package, and there are no hybrid options available. Even so, the Forester’s standard AWD and confident handling in adverse conditions make it a strong fit if you value all-weather confidence and a familiar, easy-to-live-with setup.

Only 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market still rewards selective shopping.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2025 Forester is built around a familiar formula, and that usually helps when you’re thinking about durability and ownership confidence. Subaru also says the cabin is quieter for 2025, which points to a more refined daily driving experience, and the model’s standard all-wheel-drive setup reinforces its reputation for dependable all-weather use.

The 2025 update also adds more advanced safety and tech content without changing the Forester’s core mission, which can be a good sign for long-term ownership because it keeps the vehicle’s strengths centered on practicality rather than complexity. For used buyers, the main risk is less about the concept and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t picked up avoidable wear.

What should I look for when buying a used 2025 Subaru Forester?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing multiple listings at different prices. Focus on condition, equipment level, and whether the vehicle’s features match what you want, since the 2025 Forester’s trim and tech differences are meaningful.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model is more basic, with cloth upholstery, two 7-inch touchscreens, and wired smartphone projection, while higher trims add more upscale materials and equipment.
• Powertrain: Every 2025 Forester uses a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite comes standard, along with a wider field of view from a third standard camera, and the system can spot cyclists and pedestrians earlier.
• Infotainment: The 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system is standard on all but the base trim and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; the base model uses dual 7-inch touchscreens instead.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA rates the Forester at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined; Sport and Touring trims return 25/32/28.

Which 2025 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2025 Subaru Forester is offered in 4 trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value play if you want the Forester’s core strengths at the lowest entry point. You still get standard all-wheel drive, the 2.5-liter engine, EyeSight safety tech, and the practical, function-first setup, but you give up the larger infotainment system and some of the nicer convenience features.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Subaru’s X-Mode with Hill Descent Control, plus the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual front USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more distinctive look and a better-equipped feel. It adds bronze exterior accents, 19-inch wheels, StarTex upholstery, and dual-function X-Mode, and it can be a smart pick if you want more style without jumping all the way to the top trim.
• Limited: This trim is for you if you want a more upscale cabin. It brings genuine leather seating surfaces and can be paired with the upgraded Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and reverse automatic braking.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped Forester, with a navigation system, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, reverse automatic braking, and access to Emergency Stop Assist when equipped accordingly.

Touring is the only trim specifically tied to the driver-distraction mitigation setup needed for Emergency Stop Assist.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2025 Subaru Forester?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile opportunities.

• Deal availability: 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,671 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.28% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 95.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,692.06, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2025 Subaru Forester's resale value?

The current average of $31,686 sits slightly below last year's $33,453.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you buy more selectively now. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend more on condition, mileage, and trim desirability than on broad market momentum alone.

Because the Forester is still a popular compact crossover with strong practical appeal, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than less in-demand vehicles. If you buy smart and keep the vehicle in good shape, you’re better positioned to preserve value over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester safe?

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

Subaru’s EyeSight suite comes standard, and for 2025 it gains a wider field of view thanks to a third standard camera that helps the system spot cyclists and pedestrians earlier. A rear seat reminder system is also included, and an electric brake booster has been added.

The Forester also offers Emergency Stop Assist, which can slow the vehicle to a stop, notify emergency services, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors if the driver becomes unresponsive while adaptive cruise control is active. That feature is only available on vehicles equipped with the driver distraction-mitigation system, which essentially limits it to the Touring trim.

The main caveat is that this model is too new to have been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA yet, so you’re relying on Subaru’s safety equipment and the brand’s strong track record rather than fresh test results.

Should I buy a 2025 Subaru Forester or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2025 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2025 if:

• 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.28% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds a quieter cabin, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a better-equipped base model.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds all-terrain hardware, more rugged capability, and updated rear-passenger protection.

The bottom line: If you want the most balanced used-buying case, the 2025 is the better starting point because it brings meaningful updates without losing the Forester’s practical character. If your priority is rugged off-pavement capability, the 2026 is the more specialized choice; if your priority is value, the 2025’s softer pricing and strong inventory make it the smarter path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.