Used Subaru Forester for Sale nearSan Luis Obispo, CA

How much does the Subaru Forester cost in today's market?

Used Subaru Forester prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Subaru Forester's current nationwide average price is $22,823, and its year-round low is $20,286.87. That puts the model's pricing in a broad, shopper-friendly range across generations. Recently, prices have come down for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the Subaru Forester is a strong used SUV choice if you want practicality, all-weather confidence, and broad owner approval. The all-generations owner rating is 4.62/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners consistently praise the Forester for its spacious cabin, reliability, and excellent all-wheel-drive capability. Safety features and a comfortable ride also come up again and again, which helps explain why it remains such a popular family SUV.

Expert reviews rate the 2019 and 2022 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs in recent expert coverage are sluggish performance, polarizing styling on some versions, and infotainment systems that can feel frustrating to use.

32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Subaru Forester models reliable?

Owners and experts consistently point to the Forester’s reliability, practicality, and strong all-weather confidence. Across the model years in the data, it also earns repeated praise for spacious interiors, safety features, and everyday usability.

• Owners rate the Subaru Forester between 4.33 and 5.0 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, long-term ownership risk is generally tied more to individual vehicle condition and maintenance history than to the model’s overall reputation.

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

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is solid at 81.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

Older model years carry meaningfully higher accident rates, so always verify the vehicle history report on pre-2020 models.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: EyeSight
• Infotainment: 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Fuel efficiency: 26 mpg in combined driving

Which Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2026 Subaru Forester offers these trims:

• base: The gas-only lineup starts here, and it sets the entry point for the redesigned Forester range.
• Premium: This trim adds more everyday equipment and sits above the base model for shoppers who want a better-equipped value pick.
• Sport: This version brings a more distinctive personality within the lineup.
• Limited: This trim adds a more upscale feel and is a step up for buyers who want more comfort and convenience.
• Wilderness: This is the most capable Forester model, with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, more underbody protection, a full-size all-terrain spare tire, and X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings.
• Touring: This is the top trim for buyers who want the most premium Forester experience.

What Subaru Forester do most buyers choose?

The Subaru Forester years with the most listings are 2025, 2024, and 2023.

Those higher-volume years tend to be popular because they give you more inventory to compare and a newer-feeling ownership experience. They also sit in the part of the market where you can often balance price, features, and availability more easily.

What is the Subaru Forester's resale value?

The table shows broad downward movement across the lineup, which is helpful if you're shopping used and want to benefit from softer prices. The largest drops are concentrated in newer model years, while older examples are changing more slowly. That makes the newer used Foresters especially interesting if you want more recent features at a lower price than before.

The 2015, 2014, and 2016 model years have held their value best, with the smallest year-over-year price changes.

Is the Subaru Forester safe?

• 2026: 9/10
• 2025: 9/10
• 2023: 8/10
• 2022: 9/10
• 2021: 9/10
• 2019: 10/10
• 2017: 7/10
• 2016: 8/10
• 2015: 9/10
• 2014: 7/10

Subaru calls its package of camera-based advanced driving assistance systems EyeSight. It includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist.

For the safest used buy, the 2019 model posts the highest confirmed score of 10/10.

Should I buy a used Subaru Forester now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2025 model is at −5.71% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −7.07%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 32.9% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 32.6%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2025 model has the most listings at a current average price of $31,592. The Subaru Forester offers a spacious cabin and a large cargo area, which are core strengths that make it easy to live with every day.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque; 26 mpg in combined driving.
• Tech: a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
• Safety: improved rear seatbelts and updated rear passenger safety.
• Starting price: $31,445

If you're buying used today, the 2025 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for 2027 inventory to mature.

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

Compare 2026 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 $29,534
• 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: $29,534 (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 adventures without going overboard on price.

• Avg. market price: $32,635 (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 the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $35,490 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 1,437 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Sport 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: $36,136 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,775 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited Crossover AWD listings

Wilderness Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want rugged capability for outdoor adventures without compromising on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $37,153 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 1,473 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Wilderness 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 features and luxury without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $39,243 (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 $29,534 avg market price — below the lineup median of $35,813 — 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.