Used 2021 Subaru Outback for Sale near Alberta

How much does the 2021 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 11.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 303 listings available, which suggests you have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.7/5 model with an expert rating of 7.8/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfortable ride, impressive safety features, and modern technology. Many also like the practical, go-anywhere character and the sense that it delivers dependable everyday usefulness without fuss. That fits the Outback’s role as a raised, all-wheel drive wagon built around space, capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety.

35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you a decent amount of value-oriented inventory to consider.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for the Outback’s comfort and practical everyday usability. The expert assessment also reinforces that this is a vehicle built around reliability and long-term value, rather than flash or complexity. Subaru’s focus on durability and low running costs helps support that reputation.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the base powertrain can feel strained, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Subaru Outback?

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim uses two 7-inch touchscreens in the centre stack, while Premium and above get the 11.6-inch portrait display. Higher trims also bring a more polished cabin, and Limited and Premier trims add two-tone leather upholstery with contrast stitching.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-litre boxer flat-four makes 182 horsepower and can feel brutally slow with the CVT. XT models use a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, which is much stronger and smoother.
• Safety package: Subaru EyeSight is standard on all trims and includes adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard from the Touring trim, as is reverse automatic braking. A driver-attention monitor is included only with the Premier and Premier XT.
• Infotainment: The system includes a single large screen on most trims, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio standard. The base dual-screen setup is the least appealing choice, and the optional navigation is more modern-looking than the rest of the interface.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine is rated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 7.1 highway, while the turbo XT is rated at 10.1 city and 7.9 highway.

Which 2021 Subaru Outback trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Outback is offered in 6 trim levels: Base, Premium, Outdoor, Limited, Premier, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the least expensive way into the Outback, but it also gets the least appealing infotainment setup, with two 7-inch touchscreens instead of the larger portrait display. It makes sense only if you want the lowest entry price and can live with the simpler cabin.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch portrait display and a more polished interior feel without pushing you into the pricier upper trims. If you want the sweet spot between equipment and cost, this is the one to focus on.
• Outdoor: This trim adds two more driving modes for snow and mud, and it is also one of the XT-equipped trims if you want the stronger turbo engine. It suits you if you want extra capability and a more rugged personality.
• Limited: This trim brings a more upscale cabin with two-tone leather upholstery and contrast stitching, and it can also be had with the XT powertrain. It is a good fit if you want a more premium feel without going all the way to the top.
• Premier: This is the most luxurious-feeling trim in the lineup, with the added driver-attention monitor and available XT power. Choose it if you want the most comfort and the fullest safety equipment.
• Touring: This trim adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and reverse automatic braking, making it the strongest choice if you want more standard safety tech.

The safety package is strongest on Touring and above, while the Premier and Premier XT add the driver-attention monitor.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Subaru Outback?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find value.

• Deal availability: 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 303 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.25% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $25,720 CAD, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru Outback's resale value?

The current average of $25,828 CAD sits slightly below last year's $29,101 CAD.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the softer pricing means you may need to be more competitive on condition, mileage, and trim to stand out. Even so, the Outback’s practical reputation and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback safe?

The 2021 Outback was a 2020 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) "Top Safety Pick+", and it earned five-star ratings from NHTSA overall, with four-star ratings for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for rollover.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru EyeSight is standard on all trims and includes adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The Outback also comes with a driver’s knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag as standard equipment. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard from the Touring trim, as is reverse automatic braking, while a driver-attention monitor is reserved for the Premier and Premier XT.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Outback or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the Outback formula focused on space, capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,861 CAD, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $25,828 CAD average.
• It brings fresh safety tech and a new tablet-style interface.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $28,220 CAD, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,828 CAD average.
• It adds a more adventure-focused Wilderness setup.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, satisfaction, and everyday usefulness, the 2021 is the main target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the cheaper path into the same basic Outback appeal.

How does the 2021 Subaru Outback compare to the 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Our experts score the 2021 Subaru Outback 7.8/10 and the 2021 Toyota RAV4 7.3/10. The Outback leans harder into space, comfort, and all-wheel-drive practicality, while the RAV4 brings more power and better fuel economy. You’ll also find more used Outback value in the market, but the RAV4 has a larger pool of listings and a higher average price.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

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