Used 2025 Subaru Forester for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

Compare 2025 Subaru Forester Trims

The 2025 Subaru Forester offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $26,301
• Best MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium 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

AWD — "Who It's For"

The AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $26,301 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 216 listings
• View AWD listings

Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped vehicle for adventures without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $28,746 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,545 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Premium AWD listings

Sport AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with added luxury features without stepping up to the highest trims.

• Avg. market price: $31,464 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 772 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Wilderness AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness AWD is the pick for shoppers who want off-road capability with premium features without going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $33,293 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 551 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and comfort without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $32,284 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 603 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most premium features for trail adventures without compromising on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $34,122 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 546 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,545 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $26,301 avg market price — below the lineup median of $31,874 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — AWD

The AWD trim offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 26/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse AWD listings

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

How much does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 6.78% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,086 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2025 Subaru Forester earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The 2025 model keeps the Forester’s practical, function-first character while adding a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a quieter cabin than before. That makes it a strong fit if you want a compact crossover that prioritizes everyday usability, standard all-wheel drive, and confidence in adverse conditions over flashy styling.

The main trade-offs are familiar: the styling remains generic, the infotainment graphics feel dated, and there is no hybrid option available. Even so, the combination of standard AWD and improved refinement gives it broad appeal for practical buyers.

38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you a decent chance of finding a competitive offer.

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 proven formula: standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder, and a quieter cabin than before. That combination points to a vehicle designed for steady everyday use rather than complexity, and the expert notes emphasize improved refinement without abandoning the model’s practical mission.

Its powertrain is straightforward, with every version using the same engine and CVT setup, which can be a plus if you want a simpler ownership experience. Subaru also says the cabin is quieter for 2025, and the expert drive notes back up that improvement.

The first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a vehicle with this much standard equipment and all-wheel-drive hardware still depends on careful maintenance and a clean service history.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing higher-mileage examples or vehicles with added equipment. Focus on overall condition, cabin wear, and whether the tech and driver-assistance features work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model is better equipped than before, but it still uses cloth upholstery, two 7-inch touchscreens, and wired smartphone projection, while higher trims add the larger infotainment setup and more upscale materials.
• Powertrain: Every 2025 Forester uses a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and standard symmetrical AWD.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite comes standard, with a wider field of view from a third standard camera, plus a rear seat reminder system and an electric brake booster. Emergency Stop Assist is available only on vehicles equipped with the driver distraction-mitigation system, which essentially limits it to the Touring trim.
• 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 keeps dual 7-inch touchscreens and wired smartphone projection.
• 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, Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry point and still want standard all-wheel drive, the updated safety suite, and the improved core Forester formula. It’s the trim to choose if you care most about getting the essentials without paying for extras.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Subaru’s X-Mode system with Hill Descent Control, plus the larger infotainment setup and more convenience features. If you want the most balanced mix of price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• Sport: This trim adds a more distinctive look, StarTex seating, and dual-function X-Mode. It suits you best if you want a more upscale-feeling cabin and a little more capability-focused hardware without jumping to the top trim.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped version, with navigation, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, reverse automatic braking, and access to Emergency Stop Assist. Choose it if you want the most technology and convenience.

Touring is also the trim where Emergency Stop Assist is available, while the driver distraction-mitigation system limits that feature to the top end of the lineup.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market.

• Deal availability: 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,086 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.78% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 94.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,962, 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 $30,962 sits slightly below last year's $33,214.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled enough to help buyers now, but it also means future sellers may need to be realistic about pricing if they want to move quickly. A softer used market can pressure resale values in the short term, especially if inventory stays healthy.

At the same time, the Forester’s broad appeal and strong practical reputation can help support demand when you eventually sell. 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?

The 2025 Subaru Forester is too new as of this writing to have been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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 can spot cyclists and pedestrians earlier. A rear seat reminder system is also standard, and Subaru adds an electric brake booster.

Emergency Stop Assist is a notable available feature: when adaptive cruise control is active, it can try to regain driver attention, slow the vehicle to a stop, notify emergency services, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors if the driver remains unresponsive. That feature is limited to vehicles equipped with the driver distraction-mitigation system, which essentially means the Touring trim.

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:

• 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.78% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2025 model brings a better-equipped base trim, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a quieter cabin.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds all-terrain tires, more ground clearance, and stronger off-road hardware.

The bottom line: If you want the mainstream Forester formula with improved refinement and strong market availability, the 2025 is the better all-around buy. If your priority is rugged capability and you’re willing to move up to a more specialized version, the 2026 path makes more sense.

How does the 2025 Subaru Forester compare to the 2025 Honda CR-V?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.