Used 2023 Subaru Forester for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

Compare 2023 Subaru Forester Trims in Raleigh, NC

The 2023 Subaru Forester offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $20,888
• Best MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium Crossover AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a reliable and affordable SUV without extra frills.

• Avg. market price: $22,416 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 41 listings
• View Crossover AWD listings

Premium Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV for adventures without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $21,751 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 91 listings
• View Premium Crossover AWD listings

Sport Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features and a stylish design without a luxury price tag.

• Avg. market price: $27,099 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 50 listings
• View Sport Crossover AWD listings

Limited Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and advanced technology in their SUV.

• Avg. market price: $26,525 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 76 listings
• View Limited Crossover AWD listings

Wilderness Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Wilderness Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want enhanced off-road capability without sacrificing comfort.

• Avg. market price: $28,645 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 69 listings
• View Wilderness Crossover AWD listings

Touring Crossover AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring Crossover AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with all the luxury features at a competitive price.

• Avg. market price: $20,888 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 35 listings
• View Touring Crossover AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Crossover AWD

With 91 active listings, the Premium Crossover AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium Crossover AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Touring Crossover AWD

At $20,888 avg market price — below the lineup median of $24,470 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Touring Crossover AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Crossover AWD

The Crossover AWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 26/33 MPG.

Browse Crossover AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?

Prices have softened 3.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,602 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

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, and they also like the smooth driving experience and comfortable interior. The Forester’s AWD capability and rugged design come through as recurring positives, which fits its practical, outdoors-friendly mission.

The trade-offs are clear: the engine is underwhelming, and the cabin tech can frustrate you with poor voice recognition. Even so, if you want a compact SUV that prioritizes usefulness, safety, and all-weather confidence over flash, the Forester lines up well with that use case.

Good and great deals account for 35.5% of listings, so there’s still room to find a competitive offer.

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 evaluation reinforces that impression by calling out good reliability over time and a practical, confidence-inspiring driving character.

The Forester’s standard AWD and straightforward mechanical setup support that reputation, and the cost-effectiveness discussion also notes that it should hold up well for ownership. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic durability and more about living with its weaker powertrain and the possibility of higher annoyance from tech or comfort shortcomings.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on overall condition, because the Forester’s practical strengths are easiest to appreciate when the cabin, controls, and safety systems are all working as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup runs from Base to Touring, with the Touring adding upscale exterior trim, exclusive Saddle Brown leather and trim, exposed stitching, metallic accents, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The Base trim is the most stripped-down version, so if you want a more complete feature set, the higher trims are the better fit.
• Powertrain: Every Forester uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive. The engine is described as merely adequate, and there is no turbocharged or electrified option.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the core driver-assistance suite, and Subaru says the updated system uses revised software and cameras with a wider field of view. Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on Base, optional on Premium, and standard on the rest; it also adds Automatic Emergency Steering. Rear Automatic Braking comes on Wilderness and Touring, with Limited offering it as an option.
• Infotainment: Base models get a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Premium adds satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services with remote engine start and a Wi-Fi hotspot, while an 8-inch touchscreen is available with navigation and Harman Kardon audio.
• Fuel efficiency: The Forester returned 25.9 mpg in testing, and the official combined rating is 29 mpg.

Which 2023 Subaru Forester trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Forester’s core strengths: standard AWD, the 2.5-liter engine, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it leaves out blind-spot monitoring and several convenience upgrades.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds satellite radio, HD Radio, Starlink connected services, and blind-spot monitoring. It also unlocks X-Mode with Normal, Snow, and Dirt settings, making it a smart step up if you want more everyday usability.
• Sport: This trim builds on Premium and adds more off-road traction management capability, including Deep Snow and Mud settings. It suits you if you want a little more capability without jumping all the way to the Wilderness.
• Wilderness: This is the choice if you want the most off-road-focused version, with additional capability and a 700-pound static roof-rail rating. It also gets Rear Automatic Braking, but it is the most specialized and least subtle version of the lineup.
• Limited: This trim is the more comfort-leaning upgrade, and it can be optioned with Rear Automatic Braking. It fits you if you want a more upscale Forester without going all the way to Touring.
• Touring: This is the most upscale trim, with the 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Harman Kardon audio, Rear Automatic Braking, and DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. Choose it if you want the most features and the most polished cabin presentation.

Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on Base, optional on Premium, and standard on all other trim levels.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,602 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.94% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,958, 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 $27,019 sits slightly below last year's $28,128.

That price movement suggests the market has eased, which can help you buy more confidently now, but it also means a future seller may need to price competitively to stand out. The current range still shows healthy demand, though, so a well-kept Forester should remain relatively easy to move if you maintain it carefully.

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 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 safety suite centers on Subaru’s next-generation EyeSight system, which uses updated software and cameras with a wider field of view. Blind-spot monitoring is unavailable on Base, optional on Premium, and standard on the rest, and it adds Automatic Emergency Steering. Rear Automatic Braking comes on Wilderness and Touring, with Limited offering it as an option.

There are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. The IIHS also gives the Forester an Acceptable side-impact result and a Marginal small-overlap frontal result, so its crashworthiness is not flawless even though the overall safety picture remains 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:

• 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds next-generation EyeSight safety features and an improved standard infotainment system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,434, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $27,019 average.
• It emphasizes practicality, safety, and all-weather confidence.

The 2023 is the better pick if you want the newer safety and infotainment updates along with strong market availability. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2022 is the value play, especially if you find one in clean condition and don’t mind giving up some of the newer refinements.

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