The Best Used Subaru Models To Buy Now And Those To Avoid - Ranked By Year

If you can’t find a new 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek, check out the best used Subaru models and years you can buy now and those to avoid.

With the shortage of new 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and other models, a used model is a good choice now, but which models and years are the best, and which models and years should you avoid? We have researched the best used models among multiple sites like iSeeCars, Consumer Reports, and Autotrader and came up with the best you can buy now.

When looking for a used Subaru, you should check out its long-term reliability, safety scores, and resale value to get the best vehicle. iSeeCars analyzed over 12 million cars and narrowed down the best used models across all vehicle types.

The top models include the longest-lasting cars, hold their value the best, and have the highest average safety ratings from the National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

2019 Subaru Crosstrek is among the best three-year-old subcompact SUVs.

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.1
Reliability Score: 5.6
Retained Value Score: 8.7
Safety Score: 10.0
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $23,524

The Crosstrek offers standard all-wheel drive, rare for the small SUV class. It has perfect safety scores and includes many driver assistance features.

The 2019 Subaru Outback is among the best three-year-old crossover SUVs and the best three-year-old compact SUV.

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.8
Reliability Score: 8.4
Retained Value Score: 8.0
Safety Score: 10.0
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $34,433

iSeeCars says, “The Subaru Outback has proven to be a long-lasting and safe vehicle with high-value retention. It is praised for its car-like driving dynamics, standard all-wheel drive, and class-leading cargo space. The Outback also earns the Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS.”

2019 Subaru Impreza is the best three-year-old wagon

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.6
Reliability Score: 8.0
Retained Value Score: 8.7
Safety Score: 9.0
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $23,238

The Subaru Impreza wagon offers more cargo room than most subcompact SUVs and has an above-average fuel economy. The compact wagon also has standard all-wheel drive, rare for the small car class.

2019 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid is among the best three-year-old Hybrid SUVs.

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.6
Reliability Score: 7.1
Retained Value Score: 8.7
Safety Score: 10.0
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $36,765

The Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid offers a comfortable ride and has ample cargo room. The Crosstrek Hybrid can drive up to 17 miles on battery power before switching to its hybrid mode.

iSeeCars Best Used Cars and SUVs Under $15,000

2013 Subaru Forester $12,970
2013 Subaru Outback $13,523
2013 Subaru Impreza $13,669

iSeeCars Best Used Cars and SUVs Under $20,000

2016 Subaru Forester $19,758
2017 Subaru Impreza $19,252

iSeeCars Best Used Cars and SUVs Under $25,000

2017 Subaru Forester $22,495
2018 Subaru Crosstrek $24,785
2017 Subaru Outback $24,214
2021 Subaru Impreza $23,916

Consumer Reports and the IIHS say the best Subaru models under $20,000 are the Subaru Forester (2016 or newer), Subaru Outback (2013 or newer), Subaru Crosstrek (2018 or newer), Subaru Impreza (2014 or newer), and Subaru Legacy (2013 or newer).

Autotrader recently named the 10 Best Used Cars of 2021 that are great alternatives to buying a new car. They say the 2016-2020 Subaru Outback is one model SUV shoppers should have on their list.

Are there used Subaru models I should avoid buying?

According to a Consumer Report study, you should avoid some older Subaru models. CR says you should avoid buying a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek and the 2013 Impreza compact sedan and hatchback models.

The 2013 Crosstrek gets below-average reliability for some engine and drivetrain issues. In the Consumer Reports annual auto survey, owners report engine and transmission problems with the 2013 Impreza. The NHTSA issued two recalls for the 2013 model year for engine stalling and CVT models with a remote engine start system.

The third Subaru model on CR’s cars to avoid buying list is the three-year-old 2019 Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler. The Ascent was an all-new model in 2019 and had five recalls. We have covered the Ascent problems, and the big issue with the Ascent is its automatic transmission.

Consumer Reports listed the cars most likely to need an expensive head gasket replacement.

CR identified four popular Subaru models with the potential to need an expensive engine rebuild. CR says the 2001-2009 Subaru Forester, 2001-2009 Subaru Outback, 2006-2008 Subaru Impreza, and the 2006 Subaru Baja are more likely to need the head gaskets replaced than other models. If you buy one of these models and years, check to see if the head gaskets have been replaced.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru USA