Used 2023 Subaru Forester for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 10.58% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 266 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory for you to compare.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.6/5 model with an expert rating of 7.3/10. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise its reliable performance, great safety features, and overall value. The user feedback also points to a comfortable interior and a smooth driving experience, while the AWD capability and rugged design make it especially appealing if you want something practical for outdoor use.

The trade-offs are clear: the engine is underwhelming, and the cabin can be let down by poor voice recognition and limited rear-seat comfort. That lines up with the Forester’s role as a practical compact SUV for errands, family duties, and weekend gear hauling rather than a vehicle built for excitement.

With 33.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a well-priced example.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback highlights reliable performance, and drivers also describe the Forester as a dependable, value-focused SUV that feels well suited to everyday use. The expert assessment also points to good reliability over time, which supports the case for long-term ownership.

Its practical design and standard AWD should help it remain a sensible used buy, but you should still pay close attention to maintenance history and how the vehicle has aged in real-world use.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim is the one to watch if you want to avoid feature gaps, because blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are unavailable there. Higher trims add more convenience and safety equipment, and the Premier brings an upscale interior with brown leather and trim, exposed stitching, and metallic accents.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and a CVT, and Subaru’s SI-Drive adds a Sport mode. There’s no turbocharged engine option or electrified drivetrain, so the powertrain is tuned more for everyday usability than punch.
• Safety package: Subaru’s next-generation EyeSight collection is standard, with adaptive cruise control included. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on all but the Base trim, 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, but wireless smartphone charging is absent.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres in testing, 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 entry point, but you give up blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It makes sense if you want the Forester’s core practicality and standard AWD at the lowest price.
• Sport: This is the best-value trim if you want more capability and safety equipment without going all the way up the range. It adds the deeper off-road traction settings and brings blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Wilderness: Choose this if you want the most off-road-focused Forester, with all-terrain tyres and additional modifications for tougher terrain.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience, and it also gets the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System.
• Premier: This is the most upscale choice, with the best-looking exterior treatment in the lineup, an upgraded interior, and the available premium tech and audio features.

The safety-package upgrade starts above the Base trim, 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 shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 266 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.58% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $29,497 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 $29,952 CAD sits slightly below last year's $33,495 CAD.

That price movement suggests the market has become more favourable for buyers, which can make future resale a little more competitive for sellers. If you buy now, you may benefit from softer pricing, but you should also expect the used market to remain sensitive to condition, mileage, and equipment level.

Because the model has strong owner satisfaction and a reputation for practicality, demand should remain steady among shoppers who want a sensible compact SUV. 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.

Subaru’s next-generation EyeSight collection is standard, with adaptive cruise control included. Models equipped with blind-spot monitoring also add Automatic Emergency Steering, and blind-spot monitoring plus rear cross-traffic alert are standard on all trims except the Base.

There are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. The IIHS also gives it an Acceptable rating in a new side-impact test and a Marginal rating in a small-overlap frontal-impact assessment. Rear Automatic Braking is also standard only above the Base trim, and the system defaults to on each time you restart the engine.

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:

• 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.58% 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 $28,329 CAD, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $29,952 CAD average.
• It adds fresh design details, an upgraded EyeSight package, and improved utility features.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of current pricing, updated safety tech, and broad practicality, the 2023 is the better all-round pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2022 is the more budget-friendly route and still delivers the Forester’s core strengths.

How does the 2023 Subaru Forester compare to the 2023 Honda CR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Subaru Forester:

• Pros: Standard all-wheel drive, Spacious interior, Exceptionally practical.
• Cons: Underwhelming engine, Poor voice recognition, Uncomfortable back seat.

2023 Honda CR-V:

• Pros: Comfortable, Plenty of cargo space, Great ride and handling.
• Cons: Irritating transmission, Uninspired styling, Lacks technological innovation.

Our experts score the 2023 Subaru Forester 7.3/10 and the 2023 Honda CR-V 7.8/10. The Forester leans harder into standard AWD and practicality, while the CR-V edges ahead on overall score, comfort, and ride quality. If you value a more rugged, utility-first feel, the Forester makes sense; if you want a more polished daily driver, the CR-V has the advantage.

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