CR Says 2 Subaru SUVs Are Best Used Picks - Why Buying New Is Better Now

It's no secret that the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek and 2023 Subaru Forester are in short supply to start the new year. The new model shortages will continue for the foreseeable future, and some three-year-old models are the best choices for small SUV shoppers.

Consumer Reports (CR) says fourteen reliable three-year-old small SUVs are your best choice to buy now and "hit the used-car sweet spot." CR recommends the models listed below because they are reliable, get the top crash scores, offer the same safety and comfort features found in brand-new cars, and score high in CR's owner surveys. The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek and 2020 Subaru Forester rank among the best.

CR's fourteen best 3-year-old small SUVs are listed in alphabetical order. They are all 2020 model-year small SUVs and include luxury and less expensive non-luxury (mainstream vehicles).

CR's recommended list for 2023 includes the Audi Q3, Buick Encore GX, Buick Envision, Honda CR-V, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Honda HR-V, Kia Sportage, Lexus NX, Lexus NX Hybrid, Lincoln Corsair, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue Sport, Subaru Crosstrek, and Subaru Forester.

What does CR say about the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?

"The Crosstrek delivers good fuel economy, impressive ride comfort, and competent handling. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is mated to a CVT and returned 29 mpg overall, which is quite good. The Plug-In Hybrid has a 17-mile mostly electric range and gets 33 mpg when operating as a regular hybrid, but this slight mileage improvement doesn't make it a good value. The seats are short on lumbar support, but the rear seat is roomy. The infotainment system is easy to use."

What is the price of the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?

The price range is $21,025 - $29,075, depending on trim level, miles, and condition. But check new car pricing before you buy. You can likely get a new 2023 model year for about the same price as a used model.

What is Crosstrek's fuel mileage?

The EPA estimated fuel mileage for the 2.5-liter engine is 27/34 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg. The 2020 Crosstrek with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine gets an EPA-estimated 28/33 mpg and 30 combined mpg.

What are the 2020 Crosstrek trim levels?

The 2020 Crosstrek comes in Base, Premium, Limited, and Hybrid trim levels.

What does CR say about the 2020 Subaru Forester?

"This popular small SUV combines a roomy interior, excellent visibility, commendable fuel economy, simple controls, comfortable ride, and responsive handling. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, combined with the CVT, yielded 28 mpg overall, which was among the best in class at the time. But acceleration isn't exhilarating, and the engine's noise isn't pleasant. The cabin is roomy, with a generous rear seat and easy access. The controls are simple to use, including the infotainment system."

What is the price of the 2020 Subaru Forester?

The price range is $22,075 - $29,350, depending on trim level, miles, and condition. But check new car pricing before you buy. You can likely get a new 2023 model year for about the same price as a used model.

What is Forester's fuel mileage?

The Forester is powered by a 2.5-liter Boxer engine and has an EPA fuel mileage estimate of 26/33 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg. In CR's testing, they achieved 20/38 city/highway and 28 combined mpg. The highway fuel mileage is considerably better than the EPA's rating.

What are the 2020 Forester trim levels?

The 2020 Subaru Forester was offered in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.

What sets the Crosstrek and Forester apart from the competition?

The Subaru Crosstrek and Forester come with 8.7 inches of ground clearance which no competitor exceeds. Subaru says 30 percent of Crosstrek owners take their subcompact SUV off-pavement for weekend adventures. Crosstrek and Forester also feature X-Mode for more severe winter driving and off-road excursions.

Our take

The used 2020 Subaru Crosstrek and 2020 Forester prices are dropping slower than other manufacturers' vehicles. Both models have the highest resale value of any small SUV. If you can wait, you can get a new 2023 model year for about the same price as a used model.

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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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