CR Says A Used Subaru Forester Is Now More Popular Than The Ford F-150

Are you looking for a used vehicle? 

Which are the most popular 2021 model used vehicles? One way to find out is to check which models shoppers are researching online. I've compiled a list of the twenty most popular 2021 model-year vehicles from the Consumer Reports ranking. If you don't have a subscription, that's no problem, as I've got you covered.

What I found interesting is that the 2021 Subaru Forester is more popular with used vehicle shoppers than the Ford F-150, the number-one-selling vehicle in America. Before I discuss why, the ten vehicles listed below represent the top used-car model pages, meaning they're the most searched for by people visiting CR's site. Check them out in this report.

Consumer Reports says, "With more than 37 million used cars forecasted by Cox Automotive to be sold in 2024, you have plenty of choices for your next used car, SUV, or truck. So, how do you even begin to create a manageable list of candidates? One way is to look at what people are searching for."

The vehicles are listed in order, starting with the most researched model, and I've included a list of the 11th through 20th most popular models at the end. All are 2021 model year vehicles. 

These are the top 10 used vehicles buyers search for on Consumer Reports' website.

1. Honda CR-V
2. Toyota RAV4
3. Ford Escape
4. Chevrolet Equinox
5. Subaru Forester
6. Ford F-150
7. Toyota Highlander
8. Nissan Rogue
9. Ford Explorer
10. Mazda CX-5

What does CR say about the 2021 Subaru Forester?

• Price Range:  $20,000 - $24,750
• The owner reported MPG:  28 mpg

"This popular small SUV delivers a combination of 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 the most pleasant. The cabin is roomy, with a particularly generous rear seat and very easy access. The controls are simple to use, including the infotainment system. The EyeSight suite of FCW and AEB was standard but didn't include BSW or RCTW. Try to find a model built with those two features."

What does CR say about the 2021 Ford F-150?

• Price Range:  $22,975 - $65,500
• Owner reported MPG: 19 mpg

"The F-150 was redesigned for 2021 with a mildly updated exterior, an upgraded cabin, the first-ever hybrid model, and more tech and innovative work-related features. Even with all that, the truck had only incremental improvements in ride comfort and handling agility. The hybrid was based on the 3.5-liter turbo V6 and, with 430 hp on tap, has what feels like a nearly bottomless amount of power and got 20 mpg overall. We weren't thrilled with its rough downshifts, though." 

"The non-hybrid XLT version with the popular 325-hp, 2.7-liter turbo V6 may not have the grunt of the hybrid, but it's still a gem, with loads of low-end power and timely, smooth shifting from its 10-speed automatic while returning 19 mpg overall. The F-150 has Ford's easy-to-use new Sync 4 infotainment system, and FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection were standard."

Why is the Forester one of the top-5 most researched models, and why is it ranked above the Ford F-150?

The Forester is a multi-purpose vehicle that can be an excellent used model for many people. It's a great vehicle for first-time buyers, new parents, high school and college students, and those looking for a small SUV with a go-anywhere attitude. Its practicality is a key selling point. 

The Ford F-150 is the best-selling truck and vehicle in America. But it has some limitations. It's a great vehicle for work and hauling things, but there are better vehicles for commuting or getting into tight parking spots. 

The first thing I see is the fuel mileage. Forester gets 28 mpg, and the F-150 gets an owner-reported 19 mpg. 

Then there is the price. At the top of the pricing, you'll pay $25,000 for a used 2021 Forester trim level, while the F-150 has a top price of $65,500 for some trim levels. Choosing the Forester could be a smart financial move. 

There's more to like about the Forester. 

The Forester has a lot of attractive attributes. Here's a list of a few of them.

• Excellent fuel mileage
• Standard all-wheel-drive
• 8.7 inches of ground clearance
• Top safety ratings
• Compact SUV utility
• It is easy to drive and has the best outward visibility. 

Forester is the least expensive to own.

In addition, the 2012 Forester is rated the least expensive to own by Kelley Blue Book (KBB). The Subaru Forester is the lowest cost-to-own compact SUV. In the KBB 2021 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, the 2021 Forester beats the competitors in the fastest-growing segment. Read my complete report here for more information. 

The longest lasting

In 2021, the Subaru Forester was rated the Compact SUV category's best value under $26,000 to last at least 15 years. The study from iSeeCars says that the Forester is the most likely to reach 200,000 miles and is the only compact SUV under $26,000 in its longest-lasting car rankings. You can read my report here. 

For 2021, the Forester was upgraded with the best headlights. 

All 2021 Forester trims have steering-responsive LED headlights, high beam assist, and rear seatbelt reminders.

The curve-adaptive LED headlights and high beam assist were previously only available on Limited and Touring trims. The new lights will improve safety ratings on lower trims with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and significantly improve visibility when driving at night. Read more in my report here. 

I've also listed Consumer Reports 11th Through 20th Most Popular Used Models.

11. Jeep Grand Cherokee

12. Subaru Outback

13. Hyundai Tucson

14. Toyota Camry

15. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

16. Honda Pilot

17. Ford Edge

18. Honda Accord

19. Honda Civic

20. Toyota Corolla

The Subaru Outback is another most researched used model. The Outback gets more hits on the CR website than popular models like the Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Honda Pilot, Honda Accord, and Honda Civic. 

The Outback also has a lot of attractive attributes. Here's a list of a few of them.

• Excellent fuel mileage
• Standard all-wheel-drive
• 8.7 inches of ground clearance
• Top safety ratings
• A car-like ride with SUV utility

In addition, The 2021 Outback picked up the Vincentric 2021 Best Value in America Award. The 2021 Subaru Outback wins in the Midsize SUV/Crossover category. The Award says the Outback is now the lowest cost to own. 

Individual category winners were identified by measuring the vehicles and automotive brands with lower-than-expected ownership costs, given their market segment and price. Find out more about the Outback in my report here.

It's not a surprise that the Forester and Outback are highly sought-after models. Surprisingly, the Forester is more popular than the best-selling Ford F-150 pickup. 

How about you?

Do you own or have you owned a 2021 Subaru Forester or Outback? Let the readers know what you like and dislike about the Subaru models. Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru