Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale near British Columbia

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 11.55% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 186 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 4.6/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.33/10. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its safety features, reliable performance, overall value, smooth driving experience, and comfortable interior. It also stands out for AWD capability and rugged design, which makes it a strong fit if you want a practical SUV for daily driving, family duties, or outdoor use.

The trade-offs are familiar ones: the engine is underwhelming, and the back seat can be uncomfortable. The Forester’s appeal is strongest if you value usefulness over flash, especially in a compact SUV that prioritises practicality and all-weather confidence.

Only 24.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market still rewards careful shopping.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Drivers describe it as reliable, dependable, and trouble-free, with strong long-term appeal and a vehicle you can count on. The expert evaluation also points to good reliability over time, and the Forester’s straightforward mechanical setup supports that impression.

Its durability case is helped by the fact that Subaru has tuned it for everyday confidence and practical use rather than complexity. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright fragility and more about living with its compromises if you expect stronger performance or a quieter cabin.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Subaru Forester?

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim is the most stripped-back version, while higher trims add more comfort, convenience, and upscale touches. The Premier stands out for its 18-inch alloy wheels, satin chrome exterior trim, brown leather and trim, exposed stitching, and metallic accents.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. It has eight programmed ratios, SI-Drive, and X-Mode off-road traction control with hill descent control; Sport trims add Deep Snow and Mud settings, and Wilderness adds all-terrain tyres and extra off-road capability.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the standard driver-assistance suite, with adaptive cruise control included. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are unavailable on the Base trim but standard on all other trim levels, and models with blind-spot monitoring also add Automatic Emergency Steering.
• Infotainment: The Base trim gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen is available, along with navigation and Harman Kardon premium audio; wireless smartphone charging is notably absent.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres on the testing route, and the official combined rating is 8.2 L/100 km.

Which 2023 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

The 2023 Subaru Forester is offered in 6 trim levels: Base, Touring, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Premier.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value-focused starting point if you want standard all-wheel drive, EyeSight, and the core Forester formula without paying for extras. It makes the most sense if you care more about capability and practicality than convenience upgrades.
• Touring: This trim suits you if you want a more polished daily driver than the Base, with a broader equipment mix while staying within the mainstream of the lineup.
• Sport: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest balance of equipment and capability, especially because it adds Deep Snow and Mud settings to the X-Mode system.
• Wilderness: Choose this if you want the most off-road-ready Forester, with all-terrain tyres and the most rugged hardware in the range.
• Limited: This trim is a good fit if you want more comfort and convenience, plus the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System.
• Premier: This is the most upscale choice, with the richest interior presentation, the 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Harman Kardon audio, and DriverFocus.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are unavailable on the Base trim but standard on all other trim levels.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Subaru Forester?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully and move quickly on the right one.

• Deal availability: 24.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 186 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.55% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $30,144 CAD, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Subaru Forester's resale value?

The current average of $30,166 CAD sits slightly below last year's $34,106 CAD.

That softer pricing can help you as a buyer today, but it also means a future seller may face a more competitive resale environment if market conditions stay similar. The current trend suggests the Forester is not in a rapid appreciation phase, so resale value will depend more on condition, mileage, and trim desirability than on broad market momentum.

Even so, the model’s practical reputation and strong owner satisfaction should help it remain appealing to used shoppers. Well-kept examples with the right equipment are likely to stay easier to move than less desirable alternatives.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester safe?

The 2023 Forester earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and it receives five-star ratings across the board from NHTSA, plus a four-star rollover resistance rating.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard EyeSight suite includes updated software and cameras with a wider field of view, and adaptive cruise control is standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are unavailable on the Base trim but standard on all other trim levels, and models equipped with blind-spot monitoring add Automatic Emergency Steering. Rear Automatic Braking is included once you move past the base trim.

There are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. IIHS gave the Forester an Acceptable rating in a side-impact test and a Marginal rating in a small-overlap frontal test, so its crashworthiness is not flawless even though the NHTSA results are strong.

Should I buy a 2023 Subaru Forester or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 24.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.55% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• This year brings next-generation EyeSight safety features and an improved standard infotainment system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $29,704 CAD, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $30,166 CAD average.
• It was updated with fresh design details and improved utility features.

The bottom line: The 2023 is the better all-round pick if you want the latest safety and infotainment updates in a practical, well-liked compact SUV. If your priority is saving a bit of money, the 2022 remains a sensible alternative, especially if you find a clean example with the equipment you want.

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