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 $26,251
• 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: $26,251 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 669 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 daily adventures without going overboard on price.

• Avg. market price: $29,201 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 3,164 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 design and features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $32,006 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,437 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 off-road capability and rugged features for outdoor adventures.

• Avg. market price: $32,984 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,473 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 going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $33,005 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,775 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 features and technology in their vehicle.

• Avg. market price: $34,730 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,142 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 3,164 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 $26,251 avg market price — below the lineup median of $32,495 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

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

Browse Crossover AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 5.71% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,685 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping. If you find a listing below $31,588.44, 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 flash. The 2025 update also brings a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a quieter cabin.

The main trade-offs are generic styling and dated infotainment graphics, and there are no hybrid options available. Even so, the Forester’s confident handling in adverse conditions and family-friendly focus make it easy to recommend if those strengths matter more than style.

32.9% 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 Forester’s reliability case is built around its familiar formula: standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, a practical layout, and a refinement-focused update rather than a risky redesign. The expert review also points to a quieter cabin for 2025, which is a useful sign that Subaru improved day-to-day livability without complicating the core package.

The powertrain is straightforward, with a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, a CVT, and standard AWD. Subaru also says the model is quieter for 2025, and the expert review backs that up with praise for reduced noise at normal speeds.

For maintenance-minded shoppers, the model’s value proposition is strengthened by its everyday usability and standard equipment. Long term, your biggest ownership risk is less about mechanical complexity and more about whether you’re comfortable with the Forester’s modest performance and no-hybrid lineup.

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 vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing higher-mileage examples or trims with more equipment. Focus on cabin condition, tire wear, and whether the vehicle’s features work as expected, since the Forester’s appeal depends heavily on everyday usability.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model comes with cloth upholstery, blue contrast stitching, standard roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a simpler cabin setup, while the Sport adds StarTex material and bronze exterior accents. Limited and Touring bring genuine leather seating surfaces, and Touring adds a low-profile roof rack and chrome badging.
• 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. X-Mode becomes standard at the Premium trim level, and Sport and higher trims get a dual-function version.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite comes standard, along with a rear seat reminder system, a wider field of view from a third standard camera, and an electric brake booster. Touring adds the driver distraction-mitigation system, which enables Emergency Stop Assist, plus a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, and reverse automatic braking.
• Infotainment: The base trim uses two 7-inch touchscreens with wired smartphone projection and USB-A only. Higher trims get the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus OTA updates; Premium and up also add dual front USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA rates the Forester at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, 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.

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, EyeSight safety tech, roof rails, and the practical cabin layout, 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 most shoppers because it adds X-Mode and the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you want the most useful mix of capability and tech without stretching too far, this is the trim to target.
• Sport: This trim adds StarTex seating material, bronze exterior accents, and the dual-function version of X-Mode. It suits you if you want a more distinctive look and a bit more equipment, though it also carries a slight fuel-economy penalty.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want a more upscale cabin, with genuine leather seating surfaces and available upgraded audio and navigation content. It makes sense if comfort and features matter more to you than keeping the purchase as lean as possible.

Touring also gets the most advanced safety and convenience content, including the driver distraction-mitigation system that enables 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 without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 32.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,685 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.71% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 95.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,588.44, 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 $31,592 sits slightly below last year's $33,504.

That softer pricing trend suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. If you plan to sell later, the current discount may limit near-term upside, but it also means you’re entering ownership at a more realistic market level.

The Forester’s standard AWD, practical reputation, and strong safety profile should help support demand 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 can spot cyclists and pedestrians earlier. A rear seat reminder system and an electric brake booster are also included, and the Touring trim adds the driver distraction-mitigation system that enables Emergency Stop Assist, plus a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, and reverse automatic braking.

That makes the Forester especially appealing if safety tech is a priority for your family. The main caveat is that the vehicle is too new to have current IIHS or NHTSA crash-test results for this model year.

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:

• 32.9% 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 5.71% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds a quieter cabin and more advanced tech and safety offerings.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It adds rugged Wilderness-focused off-road hardware and updated rear-passenger protection.

The bottom line: If you want the most balanced buy, the 2025 is the better path because it combines softer pricing, strong inventory, and meaningful updates over the outgoing model. If your priority is saving money above all else, you can also shop the 2025 selectively and target the lower end of the price range.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.