Used Subaru buying guide
About Subaru
Since the mid-1970s, Subaru has tackled life’s great adventures with its selection of all-wheel-drive SUVs and sedans. Subaru digs into its World Rally Championship heritage from the Brat to the modern WRX, bringing race-inspired AWD technology to the streets. Crossover SUVs like the Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent are among the most off-road capable in the Subaru lineup. In a throwback to the brand's early days, the BRZ appeals to enthusiasts as one of the few stick-shift RWD coupes on the market.
What CarMax customers like
Ride and Handling,
Fuel Economy
Reliability
What CarMax customers don’t like
Cabin Noise
Technology and Entertainment
Power
Subaru FAQs
Buying a used Subaru is no different than buying any other used car. It’s a good idea to check for a service history, perform a visual inspection, and take it for a test drive. You should also check for any outstanding recalls.
While lower-mileage Subaru models might offer more life, there’s more to consider than how far a car has traveled. You should also consider things like age, maintenance, and vehicle history for more information. Read more about what to look for when it comes to mileage on a used car.
You can find the best year for a second-hand Subaru by combining individual vehicle history with reliability data you can find through RepairPal. You should also check our vehicle research pages to find the model year with the trim levels and features that suit your needs.
The 2019-2024 Subaru Forester and Outback are very similar in size. When comparing passenger volume, the Forester is slightly larger (111.6 vs 109 cu-ft), and the Forester’s 41.2 inches of headroom is taller than the Outback’s 40.1 inches. As for cargo capacity, the Outback has 3.7 cu-ft more than the Forester’s 28.9 cu-ft.
The year 2025 is the last for the Subaru Legacy, adding it to a list of models the brand no longer offers. Other discontinued Subarus include the B9 SUV (2012), Baja crossover pickup (2006), XV CrossTrek Hybrid (2017), and the WRX Sports Wagon (1995).
1. Subaru Crosstrek
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2. Subaru Legacy
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3. Subaru Outback
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4. Subaru Impreza
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5. Subaru Forester
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6. Subaru XV Crosstrek
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7. Subaru WRX
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Pros
Quick acceleration
Impressive handling
Precise steering
Cons
Lots of road noise
Infotainment touchscreen difficult to use
Cabin lacks refinement and upscale materials
Ready to find your used Subaru?
RepairPal reliability ratings
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. These ratings are based on RepairPal Reliability data as of August 2023. Learn more about RepairPal reliability ratings.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. These ratings are based on RepairPal Reliability data as of 3/18/2025. Learn more at repairpal.com/reliability.
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Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.
Range figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new and assume a full battery charge. Range will vary based on things like battery age, vehicle condition and history, driving and charging habits, accessory use, and driving conditions. Battery capacity may decrease with time and use. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.
We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.