Used 2025 Subaru Forester for Sale nearSanta Cruz, CA

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 $25,667
• 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: $25,667 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 201 listings
• View AWD listings

Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded vehicle with advanced features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $29,085 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,458 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 going for the top-tier trims.

• Avg. market price: $31,506 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 775 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Wilderness AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness AWD is the pick for shoppers who want enhanced off-road capability without compromising on comfort and technology.

• Avg. market price: $33,137 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 552 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious experience with all the tech features without going for the top-tier price.

• Avg. market price: $32,725 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 647 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most advanced tech features and luxury without compromising on performance.

• Avg. market price: $34,471 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 532 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,458 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $25,667 avg market price — below the lineup median of $32,115 — 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 September 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 5.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,702 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a good car?

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

The 2025 Forester builds on a practical compact-crossover formula with standard all-wheel drive, a quieter cabin, and more advanced tech and safety offerings. It is especially appealing if you want a sensible, easy-to-live-with SUV that feels confident in poor weather and on rougher roads.

The main trade-offs are generic styling and dated infotainment graphics, and it still does not offer hybrid options. Even so, the combination of improved equipment and calmer road manners makes it a strong fit for everyday use.

35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

The 2025 Forester is presented as a refined update to an already proven formula, with standard all-wheel drive and a focus on practicality, visibility, and everyday usability. The expert evaluation also points to a quieter cabin and improved safety equipment, both of which support the sense that Subaru concentrated on durability-minded improvements rather than flashy changes.

Its 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder, CVT, and standard AWD are described as a familiar setup, and the cabin updates are aimed at making daily use easier. For long-term ownership, the main risk is less about mechanical complexity and more about whether you can live with the modest powertrain and the lack of a hybrid option.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

Even with a high share of clean listings, you should still run a vehicle history report and verify service records before you buy. A pre-purchase inspection is especially useful if you plan to use the Forester in harsh weather or on rough roads, since that is where its standard all-wheel-drive setup is most relevant. Pay close attention to cabin condition, infotainment operation, and any signs that the vehicle has been used heavily in stop-and-go family duty.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model is better equipped for 2025, but it still starts with cloth upholstery, two 7-inch touchscreens, and wired smartphone projection, while higher trims add more premium materials and larger wheels.
• 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 AWD.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite is standard, with a wider field of view from a third standard camera, plus a rear seat reminder and an electric brake booster.
• 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 two 7-inch touchscreens with wired smartphone projection.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester is rated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, while 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 lowest entry point and still want standard all-wheel drive, EyeSight, and the updated 2025 Forester formula. It gives you the essentials, but you give up the larger infotainment setup and some of the convenience upgrades found higher up.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Subaru’s X-Mode with Hill Descent Control, plus the more advanced infotainment and convenience equipment that make the Forester feel more modern.
• Sport: This trim adds a more distinctive look, StarTex seating, and dual-function X-Mode, making it a good fit if you want a more upscale-feeling cabin and extra traction management.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want leather seating and a more premium overall feel without jumping all the way to the top model.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped Forester, with navigation, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon system, a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, reverse automatic braking, and access to Emergency Stop Assist.

Touring is also the trim where the driver-distraction-mitigation system enables Emergency Stop Assist, so it carries the most complete safety and convenience package.

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 patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,702 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 95.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,565, 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 $31,593 sits slightly below last year's $33,342.

That decline suggests the market has eased, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper near-term resale gains if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the current pricing trend means you should expect buyers to be price-aware and compare your listing closely against similarly equipped Foresters.

The good news is that the model’s practical reputation, standard all-wheel drive, and strong safety focus should continue to support demand. 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 is also standard, and the electric brake booster is part of the updated safety package.

Emergency Stop Assist is available when the driver distraction-mitigation system is equipped, which essentially limits it to the Touring trim. Touring also adds a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, and reverse automatic braking. That means the top trim carries the most complete safety toolkit, while lower trims still benefit from a strong standard driver-assistance foundation.

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:

• 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2025 model adds a quieter cabin, more advanced tech, and more advanced safety offerings.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds a rugged Wilderness variant with more off-road capability.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, inventory, and the updated 2025 Forester’s quieter, better-equipped package, the 2025 is the smarter buy. If your priority is rugged off-road capability and you can wait, the 2026 Wilderness path makes more sense; otherwise, price-sensitive buyers should focus on well-priced 2025 listings now.

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