Used 2018 Subaru Outback for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2018 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 7.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,462 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2018 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — the 2018 Subaru Outback earns a 4.67/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, strong safety features, and ample cargo space. The overview also points to a vehicle that is built for everyday usefulness, with all-wheel drive, good fuel economy, and lots of ground clearance.

If you want a practical, all-weather crossover with a comfort-first personality, this model year fits that brief well. 32.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 4.67/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a vehicle people tend to trust for its smooth ride, strong safety features, and overall usefulness, and it also highlights the Outback’s practical, dependable character. The expert notes reinforce that theme by describing it as a cost-effective solution with broad real-world capability and comfort for hours behind the wheel.

The 2018 Outback should make sense if you want a used vehicle you can count on for daily driving, bad weather, and road-trip duty, but you should still budget for a careful inspection because long-term ownership costs can vary by condition and maintenance history.

What should I look for when buying a used 2018 Subaru Outback?

At 69.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example or one with visible wear. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the vehicle’s equipment works as expected, since used examples can vary a lot in how they were cared for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model starts with standard all-wheel drive and a CVT, while the cabin gets more upscale as you move up the lineup. The base trim is also the one without the EyeSight suite, so feature gaps there matter if safety tech is important to you.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 175 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.6-liter six-cylinder makes 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder is described as underpowered, while the six-cylinder is the better choice if you want stronger acceleration.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the named driver-assistance suite, and it includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. It is available on every Outback except the base trim.
• Infotainment: Starlink is the infotainment system, and the larger 8-inch display gets faster start-up and response times, better voice recognition, new on-screen applications, and over-the-air software updates.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5i is rated at 28 mpg in combined driving, while the 3.6R is rated at 22 mpg.

Which 2018 Subaru Outback trim should I buy?

The 2018 Subaru Outback is offered in 6 trim levels: base model, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Touring.

Here's the short version:

• base model: This is the entry point, but it is the one trim without EyeSight. If you want the lowest starting price and can live without the extra driver-assistance tech, it gets you into the Outback lineup.
• 2.5i Premium: This is the best-value trim because the cost-effectiveness guidance specifically recommends it with the optional EyeSight package. It gives you a stronger balance of price, practicality, and safety equipment.
• 2.5i Limited: This trim adds more upscale cabin touches and sits in the middle of the lineup if you want more comfort without jumping to the six-cylinder models.
• 2.5i Touring: This is the most upscale four-cylinder version, so it makes sense if you want the nicer trim experience but do not need the extra power.
• 3.6R Limited: This is the minimum choice if you want the six-cylinder engine. It is the right pick if stronger performance matters more than keeping the price down.
• 3.6R Touring: This is the fully loaded six-cylinder version, so it is the one to consider if you want the most power and the most equipment.

EyeSight is available on every Outback except the base trim, so that is the key safety-package note to keep in mind.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2018 Subaru Outback?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 32.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,462 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,827, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2018 Subaru Outback's resale value?

The current average of $15,827 sits slightly below last year's $17,061.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may also mean future resale gains are more limited unless the vehicle is especially clean and well maintained. If you buy carefully and keep the Outback in strong condition, you should be better positioned when it is time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.67/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2018 Subaru Outback safe?

The 2018 Subaru Outback earns five-star ratings across the board from the federal government, except for rollover resistance, which rates four stars due to the Outback’s raised suspension. It also earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

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

EyeSight is the named driver-assistance suite, and it is available on every Outback except the base trim. Its functions are powered by a dual-camera system and include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist.

The rollover caveat is worth noting if you are comparing it with lower-riding vehicles, but the overall safety picture remains a major strength for this model year.

Should I buy a 2018 Subaru Outback or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2018 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2018 if:

• 32.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2018 model year brings updated bumpers, lights, grille, quieter cabin changes, and improved Starlink performance.

The bottom line: The 2018 Outback makes sense if you want a well-priced, safety-focused used crossover with strong owner approval and broad practicality. If you are shopping on a tighter budget, a nearby older year may cost less, but the 2018 is the better pick when you want the updated cabin, improved tech, and a market that still offers plenty of listings to compare.

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