Valuation & Pricing 4 min read

Subaru Resale Value in Australia: How Well Do They Hold Up?

Subaru vehicles are known for safety ratings and AWD capability. But how do they hold their value in the Australian used car market?

Subaru's position in the Australian resale market

Subaru holds a strong and loyal owner base in Australia. The brand's core attributes — all-wheel drive, high safety ratings (5-star ANCAP), and perceived reliability — translate well to resale value.

  • **Forester:** One of the best-performing mid-size SUVs for resale. 5-year residual typically 42–48%.
  • **Outback:** Strong performer due to unique AWD wagon positioning and loyal owner community.
  • **XV (Crosstrek):** Compact SUV segment is highly competitive but XV holds reasonable value.
  • **Impreza:** Solid but competes in a crowded segment.

Factors that boost or hurt Subaru resale values

**Boosts value:**

  • CVT (Lineartronic) gearboxes are now well-regarded — early concerns have been addressed
  • EyeSight driver assist technology on newer models is desirable
  • High new vehicle prices make good used examples attractive

**Hurts value:**

  • Head gasket reputation on older 2.5L engines (pre-2011 models) is still remembered by informed buyers
  • Relatively high new car prices mean the used price ceiling can feel steep to buyers

Frequently asked questions

Are old Subarus still worth buying?

Pre-2011 Subarus with the 2.5L EJ engine have a known head gasket history. From 2011 onwards, the reliability record improved significantly.

What's a fair price for a 5-year-old Subaru Forester in good condition?

As of 2025, a 2020 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S with under 60,000 km would typically trade in the $28,000–$34,000 range. Check current Carsales listings and Redbook for a real-time reference.

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