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 $25,676
• 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: $25,676 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 226 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 added comfort features without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $28,282 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,599 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 luxury touches without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $30,003 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 806 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 compromising on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $31,994 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 558 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and advanced technology without going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $31,141 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 620 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 and luxury features without sacrificing performance.

• Avg. market price: $33,242 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 551 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,599 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $25,676 avg market price — below the lineup median of $30,572 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — AWD

The AWD trim offers the best fuel efficiency at 26/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 6.86% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,298 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — with a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating, the 2025 Subaru Forester looks like a strong all-around pick. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The 2025 Forester leans into refinement rather than reinvention, and that fits buyers who want a practical compact crossover with standard all-wheel drive and confident handling in adverse conditions. It also improves on the outgoing version with a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a quieter cabin.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is generic, the infotainment graphics are dated, and there are no hybrid options available. Even so, the Forester’s focus on substance, usability, and all-weather confidence should work well if you value everyday comfort over flash.

37.7% 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’s reliability case is built around its familiar formula: standard all-wheel drive, a proven 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder, and a design that prioritizes practicality over complexity. The expert review also points to a quieter cabin for 2025, which suggests Subaru has improved day-to-day livability without straying far from the model’s core strengths.

The performance notes emphasize that the engine and CVT are tuned for steady, predictable use rather than excitement, and the vehicle’s standard AWD system is part of what makes it feel dependable in poor weather. Subaru also says the Forester is quieter for 2025, and the review confirms that the improvement is noticeable at lower speeds and while cruising.

If you plan to keep the vehicle for the long haul, the main ownership risk is that the Forester’s conservative powertrain and no-hybrid lineup may not satisfy you if you want more efficiency or stronger acceleration.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing multiple listings with similar prices. Focus on overall condition, maintenance records, and whether the equipment level matches what you want, since the 2025 Forester’s trim spread changes the cabin, tech, and convenience features quite a bit.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Forester is more basic inside, with cloth upholstery, two 7-inch touchscreens, and wired smartphone projection, while higher trims add more upscale materials and equipment. The Sport brings StarTex upholstery and bronze accents, Limited adds leather seating surfaces, and Touring adds the most premium touches, including a low-profile roof rack and chrome badging.
• 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 All-Wheel Drive. Subaru says the cabin is quieter for 2025, and the review notes that the engine is still not especially quick, but it is smooth and manageable in everyday driving.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite comes standard, with a wider field of view from a third standard camera that helps the system spot cyclists and pedestrians earlier. Adaptive cruise control is standard, and the Touring trim gets additional equipment tied to the driver distraction-mitigation system, including Emergency Stop Assist, a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, and reverse automatic braking.
• 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, while Premium and higher trims add dual USB-A and USB-C ports up front, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester is rated at 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, with 29 combined. Sport and Touring trims dip slightly to 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 entry point if you want the Forester’s standard all-wheel drive, safety tech, and practical layout at the lowest price. It gives you the core Forester experience, but you give up the larger infotainment system and some of the nicer convenience features found higher up the range.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Subaru’s X-Mode with Hill Descent Control, the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system, and more convenience equipment. If you want the most balanced mix of price, tech, and capability, this is the trim to target.
• Sport: This trim adds a more distinctive look with bronze accents and 19-inch wheels, plus StarTex upholstery and the dual-function version of X-Mode. It suits you if you want a more expressive Forester without moving all the way to the top of the range.
• Limited: This is the step up if you want leather seating surfaces and a more upscale feel. It also can be equipped with the upgraded sound system package that adds navigation and reverse automatic braking, making it a strong choice if comfort matters more than price.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped Forester, with standard navigation, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, reverse automatic braking, and Emergency Stop Assist. Buy this if you want the most features and are willing to pay for them.

The safety package is strongest on higher trims, especially Touring, where the extra driver-assistance and visibility features are concentrated.

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 the right listing.

• Deal availability: 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,298 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.86% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 93.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,763, 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 $30,763 sits slightly below last year's $33,027.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper resale expectations later. If you buy near the current average, you’re starting from a more favorable price point than last year’s shoppers did.

For a future seller, the key question is whether the Forester’s strong practical appeal and standard all-wheel drive continue to support demand. A model that stays popular with shoppers and holds a solid reputation for satisfaction is usually easier to resell than one with weaker market interest.

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 to have been crash-tested by IIHS or 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 helps the system detect cyclists and pedestrians earlier. A rear seat reminder system is also included, and an electric brake booster has been added.

The available safety tech gets even more comprehensive on the Touring trim, where Emergency Stop Assist is available through the driver distraction-mitigation system. Touring also adds a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, and reverse automatic braking. If you want the most advanced safety setup, that’s the trim to focus on.

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:

• 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.86% 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 most balanced used Forester right now, the 2025 is the better primary path because it combines softer pricing, strong inventory, and meaningful updates over the outgoing model. If your priority is rugged capability and you’re willing to wait for a different setup, the 2026 is the more specialized alternative.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.