Used Subaru Forester for Sale nearSantee, 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 $22,501, and its lowest point over the past year was $20,281. 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-car choice if you want a practical SUV with broad owner appeal and a long-running reputation for usefulness. 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 all-wheel-drive confidence. Comfort and safety also come up again and again, along with the model’s easy-to-live-with character and strong everyday practicality.

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

The main tradeoffs that show up in expert reviews are sluggish acceleration, a CVT that can feel slow, and infotainment systems that can feel dated or frustrating in some years.

35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Subaru Forester models reliable?

Owners and experts consistently point to the Forester’s reliability, roomy interior, and all-weather confidence as core strengths. The model’s practical design and safety focus also come through clearly across the years.

• 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, the long-term ownership picture looks favorable overall, especially if you prioritize a dependable, practical SUV and verify condition carefully before buying.

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

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is solid at 80.8% — 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 entry trim starts the lineup and gives you the Forester’s core utility and safety focus.
• Premium: This trim adds more comfort and convenience for shoppers who want a better-equipped daily driver.
• Sport: The Sport trim adds a more expressive look and a sportier feel.
• Limited: The Limited trim adds upscale touches and is a strong value choice for buyers who want more comfort features.
• Wilderness: The Wilderness trim adds a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, extra body cladding, anodized copper accents, water-resistant artificial leather, all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, a digital instrumentation panel, a navigation system, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, a power liftgate, a standard 180-degree forward view camera system, Subaru’s Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system, X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings, 17-inch wheels, increased ground clearance, more underbody protection, and a full-size spare tire with all-terrain tread. It suits you best if you want the most capable Forester for rougher terrain.
• Touring: The Touring trim sits at the top of the lineup with the most premium equipment.

What Subaru Forester do most buyers choose?

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

These higher-volume years tend to be popular because they give you more inventory to compare, more pricing spread to shop, and a newer-feeling package without moving all the way to the newest model year.

What is the Subaru Forester's resale value?

Most model years in the table are moving lower year over year, which is good news if you’re shopping used and want to benefit from softer pricing. The newer years show some of the largest drops, while the older years are changing more slowly. That creates a useful spread of value across the lineup, especially if you’re comparing recent models against slightly older ones.

The 2015, 2017, 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.

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 −6.61% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −7.1%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 37% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 36.4%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2025 model has the most listings at a current average price of $31,093. The Subaru Forester offers a roomy cabin, strong visibility, and the kind of practical everyday character that makes it easy to live with.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The Forester’s normally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and Subaru says the Wilderness should get 26 mpg in combined driving.
• Tech: The latest setup includes a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Safety: EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist, while the Wilderness also adds active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.
• Starting price: The gas-only 2026 Forester lineup includes base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $31,445 to $43,045, including destination.

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 the next model year's inventory to build up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 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 $28,564
• 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: $28,564 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 220 listings
• View AWD listings

Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped vehicle for adventures without going for the higher-priced trims.

• Avg. market price: $32,458 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 1,563 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 stepping up to the Limited.

• Avg. market price: $35,779 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 782 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious experience with advanced technology without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $36,475 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 618 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Wilderness AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness AWD is the pick for shoppers who want off-road capabilities with premium features without compromising on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $36,707 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 551 listings
• View Wilderness AWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most refined features and technology without going for the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $38,130 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 544 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 1,563 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $28,564 avg market price — below the lineup median of $36,127 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — AWD

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

Browse AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.