Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale nearKitchener, ON

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 10.49% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 197 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Subaru Forester earns a 4.6/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise its great safety features, reliable performance, and overall value. The review summary also points to a smooth driving experience, a comfortable interior, and strong appeal for buyers who want AWD capability and a rugged design.

The trade-offs are familiar: the engine is underwhelming, the CVT can be a drawback for some drivers, and the back seat is not especially comfortable. That said, the Forester’s practical layout, roomy cabin, and everyday usefulness fit well if you want a compact SUV that prioritises function over flash.

With 28.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive opportunities.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback highlights the Forester as reliable, dependable, and a vehicle people feel good about keeping for the long term. The expert evaluation also points to good reliability over time, alongside the Forester’s practical, confidence-inspiring driving character.

The ownership picture is helped by its straightforward mechanical setup and strong everyday usability, though used buyers should still pay attention to maintenance history and how the vehicle has been treated over time.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim misses blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while higher trims add more convenience and safety equipment. The Premier trim stands out with brown leather and trim, exposed stitching, metallic accents, and an upscale interior presentation.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive. It is tuned for everyday confidence rather than strong acceleration, and the engine is described as merely adequate.
• Safety package: EyeSight is standard, with adaptive cruise control included. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on all trims except Base, and models with blind-spot monitoring also add Automatic Emergency Steering.
• Infotainment: Base models get 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 audio, but wireless smartphone charging is absent.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 9.1 L/100 km in testing, compared with an official combined rating of 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 entry point, but it leaves out blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, so it makes the most sense only if you are focused on keeping the purchase price down.
• Touring: This trim adds more comfort and convenience than Base while staying within the mainstream Forester formula, making it a sensible step up for everyday use.
• Sport: This is the best-value choice if you want more capability from the safety and traction systems, since it adds Deep Snow and Mud settings to X-Mode.
• Wilderness: Choose this if you want the most off-road-focused Forester, with all-terrain tires and additional modifications for tougher terrain.
• Limited: This trim brings the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, making it a strong pick if you want more driver-monitoring tech and a more upscale feel.
• Premier: This is the most luxurious version, with the richest interior presentation, the 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and Harman Kardon audio.

The safety package is strongest once you move beyond Base, where blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert become standard.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to compare listings and wait for the right one.

• Deal availability: 28.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 197 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.49% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $29,591 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 $29,686 CAD sits slightly below last year's $33,166 CAD.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favourable point, but it also means future resale gains may be more limited if the market stays soft. For a seller, the current trend suggests you may need to price competitively to move the vehicle quickly.

The Forester’s practical reputation and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand, especially among shoppers who value all-wheel drive, utility, and reliability.

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 the 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 Forester’s EyeSight suite is the key safety story here. It includes updated software and cameras with a wider field of view, and adaptive cruise control is standard. Once you move beyond Base, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are included, and models with blind-spot monitoring also gain Automatic Emergency Steering.

There are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. The IIHS also gives the Forester an Acceptable rating in a side-impact test and a Marginal rating in a small-overlap frontal test. Rear Automatic Braking is also worth noting because it can be overly sensitive in some situations.

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:

• 28.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.49% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• This year adds next-generation EyeSight safety features and an improved standard infotainment system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $29,643 CAD, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $29,686 CAD average.
• It was updated with fresh design details, an upgraded package of EyeSight driving assistance technologies, and improved utility features.

The bottom line: The 2023 is the better pick if you want the latest safety and infotainment refinements in a Forester that still leans hard into practicality. If you are shopping strictly on price, the 2022 is the more budget-friendly alternative and still delivers the core Forester strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.