Used 2025 Subaru Forester for Sale nearWilmington, NC

Compare 2025 Subaru Forester Trims

The Forester lineup offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for versatile driving.

• Starting at $26,095
• Best MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium Crossover 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

Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $26,095 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 670 listings
• View Crossover AWD listings

Premium Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped vehicle for adventures without going over budget.

• Avg. market price: $29,128 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 3,155 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Premium Crossover AWD listings

Sport Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel and advanced features without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $31,734 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,483 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Sport Crossover AWD listings

Wilderness Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want rugged capability and premium features for outdoor adventures.

• Avg. market price: $33,136 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,509 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Wilderness Crossover AWD listings

Limited Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and comfort without stepping up to the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $32,937 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,793 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited Crossover AWD listings

Touring Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most advanced tech and luxury features in the Forester lineup.

• Avg. market price: $34,562 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,170 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 3,155 active listings, the Premium Crossover AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium Crossover AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Crossover AWD

At $26,095 avg market price — below the lineup median of $32,335 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

The Crossover AWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 26/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

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

How much does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 5.50% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,714 listings available, which suggests you should have a solid range of options to compare.

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.

The 2025 Forester fits you well if you want a practical compact crossover that emphasizes everyday usability, standard all-wheel drive, and a quieter cabin than before. The overview points to a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a calmer driving experience, while the expert notes reinforce that this is a refinement-focused update rather than a reinvention.

The main trade-offs are its generic styling and dated infotainment graphics, and it still does not offer hybrid options. Even so, the combination of improved equipment and surefooted handling makes it a sensible choice if you value confidence in poor weather and on rougher roads.

33.8% 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 appeal is built around a proven formula: standard all-wheel drive, a practical layout, and a focus on everyday usability. The expert notes also emphasize that Subaru refined the cabin to be quieter and more polished, which matters if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time and want it to feel settled in daily use.

Its 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder and standard CVT are described as a straightforward update rather than a major mechanical change, and the model’s standard AWD system supports its reputation for confidence in poor weather. Subaru also adds a quieter cabin for 2025, which can make long-term ownership feel less tiring.

The first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that you’re still buying a vehicle whose value depends on staying on top of routine care and accepting its efficiency and performance trade-offs.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, even when the market looks clean. Focus on overall condition, signs of heavy use, and whether the equipment level matches what you expect from the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model is more basic than the higher trims, with cloth upholstery, two 7-inch touchscreens, and wired smartphone projection instead of the larger infotainment setup and added convenience features you get higher up the range.
• Powertrain: Every 2025 Forester uses a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with Subaru’s CVT and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite comes standard, and for 2025 it adds a wider field of view through a third standard camera plus an electric brake booster. Adaptive cruise control is standard, while Emergency Stop Assist is limited to vehicles with the driver distraction-mitigation system.
• Infotainment: The base trim keeps two 7-inch touchscreens and wired smartphone projection, while the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on all but the base trim. OTA updates are standard.
• 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, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value entry point if you want the Forester’s standard all-wheel drive, updated safety tech, and practical layout without paying for extra convenience features. It’s the trim that makes the model’s core appeal most affordable.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds Subaru’s X-Mode with Hill Descent Control, the larger 11.6-inch infotainment system, wireless smartphone integration, dual front USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
• Sport: This trim adds a more distinctive look with bronze accents and 19-inch wheels, plus StarTex seating material and dual-function X-Mode. It suits you if you want a more upscale-feeling Forester without jumping to the top trim.
• Touring: This is the most feature-rich choice, adding navigation, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, reverse automatic braking, and access to Emergency Stop Assist. It’s the right pick if you want the most complete Forester experience.

Touring also gets the most advanced safety and convenience content, while Emergency Stop Assist is limited to vehicles equipped with the driver distraction-mitigation system.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,714 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.50% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 95.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,579, 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 $31,607 sits slightly below last year's $33,446.

That softer pricing can work in your favor if you’re buying now, but it also means future sellers may need to be realistic about where the market is headed. If prices remain under pressure, your resale value will depend more on condition, mileage, and trim desirability than on broad market momentum.

The good news is that the Forester’s practical reputation and strong safety focus should help it stay appealing to used buyers. Well-kept examples with the right equipment are likely to remain easier to move than less desirable, higher-mileage listings.

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 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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.

Emergency Stop Assist is a notable available feature tied to the driver distraction-mitigation system, which limits it to the Touring trim. Touring also gets a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, and reverse automatic braking.

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:

• 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.50% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2025 update focuses on a quieter cabin, better standard equipment, and more advanced safety and tech.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds a rugged Wilderness focus with all-terrain tires, more ground clearance, and added underbody protection.

The bottom line: If you want the most broadly useful Forester, the 2025 is the better everyday buy because it improves comfort, safety, and equipment without changing the model’s core strengths. If your priority is off-pavement capability, the 2026 Wilderness is the more specialized path, but price-sensitive shoppers will likely find the 2025 easier to justify.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.