Used 2023 Subaru Forester for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 11.56% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 184 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 safety features, reliable performance, and overall value. They also highlight the smooth driving experience, comfortable interior, AWD capability, and rugged design. In use, that lines up with the Forester’s practical focus: it is built for daily errands, family duties, and hauling gear rather than style points.

The trade-offs are familiar ones: the engine is underwhelming, and the CVT and limited power come up as drawbacks. Even so, the market shows 23.9% of listings as good or great deals, which points to decent shopping opportunities.

Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?

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

User feedback points to reliable performance, and the model is also described as dependable and a vehicle you can count on over time. The expert assessment likewise says Subaru expects good reliability over time, and the powertrain is presented as straightforward rather than complicated.

That said, used buyers should still pay attention to maintenance history, especially because long-term ownership risk is tied to the CVT, the engine’s modest output, and the model’s mixed real-world efficiency.

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 and convenience. The Base also misses blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, so you should check whether those features matter to you.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and Subaru’s SI-Drive system. It is tuned for confidence and everyday usability, but it is not a quick powertrain.
• Safety package: EyeSight is standard, with adaptive cruise control included. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not available on 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 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 starting point if you want the Forester’s core strengths at the lowest entry point, but you give up blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Touring: Choose this if you want a more comfort-oriented step up without chasing the most expensive trims.
• Sport: This is the best-value trim if you want the added Deep Snow and Mud settings for X-Mode, plus a more capability-minded setup.
• Wilderness: Pick this if you want the most off-road-focused Forester, with all-terrain tyres and extra modifications for tougher terrain.
• Limited: This is a strong middle-to-upper choice if you want more comfort and the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System.
• Premier: This is the most upscale version, with the best-looking exterior treatment, brown leather trim, an 8-inch touchscreen, and the premium audio and navigation upgrades.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on all trims above Base, and Rear Automatic Braking also arrives once you move past the base model.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 23.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 184 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.56% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $30,023 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 $30,023 CAD sits slightly below last year's $33,949 CAD.

That softer pricing can help you as a buyer today, but it also suggests sellers may need to be realistic when they list a used Forester. If you own one, the current market shows that demand is still supported by the model’s practicality and broad appeal, but pricing pressure is real.

For a future seller, the key takeaway is that the Forester’s value is holding up better than many shoppers might expect for a mainstream compact SUV. The combination of strong utility, standard AWD, and broad buyer interest should help it remain saleable. Still, the year-over-year decline means you should not expect a strong appreciation story.

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 next-generation EyeSight suite is standard and includes adaptive cruise control. Subaru says the updated software and cameras provide a wider field of view, and blind-spot monitoring models also add Automatic Emergency Steering. Rear cross-traffic alert is standard on all but the Base trim, and Rear Automatic Braking arrives above the base model.

There are caveats, though. The IIHS also gives the Forester an Acceptable side-impact result and a Marginal small-overlap frontal result, so its crashworthiness is not flawless. That makes trim selection and feature content worth checking closely on the used market.

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:

• 23.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.56% 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 $29,671 CAD, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $30,023 CAD average.
• It was updated with fresh design details, an upgraded EyeSight package, and improved utility features.

The bottom line: The 2023 is the better pick if you want the latest safety and infotainment updates in a proven, practical package. If your priority is saving a bit more upfront, the 2022 remains a sensible alternative with many of the same core strengths.

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