Which Subaru Holds Its Value the Best? Ranking Subaru Models by Resale Value

If you’re shopping for a Subaru in Central Florida, resale value probably factors into your decision, and for good reason. Subaru vehicles have built a reputation for holding onto their sticker price better than most competitors, but not every model in the lineup performs the same way on the used market.

According to data from iSeeCars, the BRZ tops the charts as Subaru’s overall resale leader. But since it’s a niche two-door sports coupe with rear seats better suited to cargo than passengers, the Crosstrek is actually the strongest value-holding SUV and the most relevant answer for the majority of shoppers browsing our lot in South Orlando.

Which Subaru Holds Its Value the Best? The Quick Answer

The BRZ retains an estimated 76.1% of its value after five years, per iSeeCars data, making it Subaru’s top performer in raw resale percentage. That said, the BRZ appeals to a specific type of buyer looking for a rear-wheel-drive sports car, not a daily-driving family SUV. For most Central Florida drivers who need cargo space and everyday practicality in all weather, the Crosstrek is the better benchmark.

It holds onto roughly 71.2% of its value at the five-year mark, a figure strong enough to earn it recognition as the Best Resale Value Subcompact SUV from iSeeCars and CarPro. Both figures are directional estimates built from third-party tracking data, not guarantees, and they shift as sites like iSeeCars, CarEdge, and Kelley Blue Book refresh their numbers.

What Affects Subaru Resale Value

Subaru depreciation rates don’t move in a vacuum. A handful of factors consistently shape how much a used Subaru is worth. A Forester with 30,000 miles will always command more than one with 90,000, all else equal, and driving conditions push that gap even wider. A Subaru that spent its life on smooth highway commutes typically shows less wear than one that’s dealt with Orlando’s summer storms and stop-and-go tourist traffic around Kissimmee.

Cosmetic and mechanical condition play an equally large role, as does documented service history. A buyer comparing two used Outbacks will almost always pay more for the one with a complete maintenance record. Brand reputation feeds into this too. Subaru’s standing for reliability and safety keeps demand steady in the used market, which supports pricing across the lineup. Trim level matters as well. A Wilderness or Limited/Touring trim tends to command stronger resale than a base model, since these trims often carry more standard equipment.

Local AWD demand shapes value in specific regions, too. In Central Florida, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive isn’t just a selling point on paper; it’s genuinely useful when an afternoon storm turns a dry road slick in seconds, which is a big part of why used Subarus stay in demand here. If you’re comparing new options before diving into resale math, feel free to browse our new Subaru models to see what’s currently available.

Top Subaru Models Ranking by Resale Value

Based on iSeeCars resale data, here’s how five-year retained value shakes out across the Subaru lineup, followed by a closer look at each model.

Subaru BRZ Resale Value

As mentioned, the BRZ leads the pack with 76.1% retained value at five years, per iSeeCars, which works out to roughly $27,280 in resale value. It depreciates just 9.1% after three years, keeping around $32,589 in worth, and even at seven years it’s only down 33.2%. For context, the broader sports car category averages a 27.3% loss at five years, so the BRZ is significantly outperforming its segment. Its limited production numbers and enthusiast following help explain the strength, but a two-door coupe with 6.3 cubic feet of trunk space isn’t the right fit for buyers who need daily practicality.

Subaru Crosstrek Resale Value

The Crosstrek depreciates by about 28.8% after five years, leaving an estimated resale value around $19,222, according to iSeeCars. At the three-year mark, depreciation is a modest 9.5%, or about $24,428 in remaining value. Even at ten years, it retains close to 39.6% of its original worth. Compare that to the subcompact SUV category average, which loses 38.4% at the five-year mark, and the Crosstrek’s advantage becomes clear. Its compact size, standard all-wheel drive, and broad consumer demand keep depreciation slower than most rivals in its class.

Subaru WRX and Impreza Resale Value

The WRX holds up reasonably well among performance-oriented buyers, depreciating about 29.8% after five years for an estimated $23,874 resale value, with just 16.8% lost at three years.

The Impreza holds up well, retaining about 70.9% of its value at five years per iSeeCars, which classifies it as a wagon. That’s the figure to look at, since Subaru discontinued the Impreza sedan after 2023 and the car you can buy today is the five-door. Older sedan-based estimates show steeper depreciation and reflect a body style no longer in the lineup.

Subaru Forester Resale Value

The Forester holds up well against its own category average, too. It depreciates about 32.5% after five years, landing around $20,252 in resale value, with just 13.1% depreciation at three years, or about $26,071. The compact SUV segment average sits at 39.9% depreciation over five years, so the Forester is outperforming its peers. Its roomy cabin and strong safety ratings keep it in steady demand as a dependable family SUV. KTLA even grouped the Forester alongside the Jeep Wrangler as a small SUV with standout resale strength.

Subaru Outback Resale Value

The Outback depreciates a bit faster than the Crosstrek or Forester, losing about 38.6% of its value after five years and settling around $21,498 in resale value. At three years, depreciation runs about 20.8%, or roughly $27,709 remaining. By year ten, it’s down to about 35.3% retained value. The Outback’s wagon-meets-SUV versatility keeps it popular, but its higher starting price and larger footprint mean the dollar depreciation curve is steeper than some smaller siblings in the lineup.

Subaru Ascent Resale Value

The Ascent, Subaru’s largest and only three-row SUV, depreciates the fastest in the lineup at 49.7% after five years, or roughly $20,104 in resale value. That’s still slightly better than the midsize SUV category average loss of 50.1%, but bigger, pricier vehicles simply shed more dollars in value even when the percentage holds up.

Curious how these numbers translate to real listings? You can explore certified pre-owned Subaru inventory to compare Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback trims side by side.

Why the Crosstrek Is the Best Value-Holding SUV for Most Shoppers

The Crosstrek earns its spot as the practical answer for most shoppers for a few concrete reasons. All seven trims, from Base through Wilderness and including both hybrids, come with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a feature that’s not optional or trim-gated the way it is on some competitors. It also offers up to 120.5 cubic feet of interior space, more than you’ll find in a Toyota Corolla Cross or Mazda CX-30, and that extra room supports long-term demand.

Standard X-MODE Dual Mode System with Hill Descent Control adds genuine off-pavement capability, which matters even in Florida on unpaved lots, soft ground, and boat ramps. The Crosstrek delivers SUV utility in a smaller, more efficient package, and buyers consistently pay a premium for that combination on the used market.

Do Subarus Hold Their Value Better Than Other Brands?

Subaru consistently lands in the top three mainstream brands for five-year retained value, behind Toyota and trading places with Honda depending on whose analysis you read. iSeeCars names Subaru and Toyota among the automakers known for excellent resale value, and independent analyses that average iSeeCars model data by brand put Subaru around 65%, ahead of Mazda, Ford, and Chevrolet. Resale estimates vary meaningfully by source, though.

The BRZ, for example, sits at a near-identical 76.1% with iSeeCars and 76.4% with CarEdge, but Kelley Blue Book pegs it at just 50.9%. Numbers like these are best treated as informed estimates rather than fixed outcomes, since they move as tracking methods and market conditions change.

How to Protect Your Subaru’s Resale Value

Whether you’re driving a Crosstrek Wilderness or an Outback Touring, there are practical steps that help protect resale value over time. Keeping mileage reasonable and driving conditions in mind matters, since a vehicle that’s spent years navigating Central Florida heat, storms, and highway flooding will show more wear than one driven gently. Cosmetic and mechanical condition count heavily too. Small dents, stained upholstery, or unresolved warning lights all chip away at what a buyer or dealer is willing to offer. Keeping documented service history is one of the simplest ways to reassure a future buyer that the vehicle was cared for properly, and it’s a detail that consistently affects appraisal numbers.

Trim level also plays a role after the fact. If you’re still shopping, choosing a Wilderness or Limited/Touring trim tends to pay off later, since these versions typically retain more value than base trims. And if you’ve been considering aftermarket modifications, it’s worth pausing. Non-factory parts can actually hurt resale value, since many buyers prefer a stock configuration they can trust. Routine maintenance ties directly into all of this, and staying current with factory-recommended service is one of the most reliable ways to protect your investment.

You can schedule routine service with our factory-trained technicians to keep your Subaru’s maintenance record solid and complete.

Browse Subaru Inventory and Get Your Trade-In Value at Sport Subaru South

Knowing where a Subaru lands on the resale scale only matters once you put that information to use.

Compare New and Certified Pre-Owned Options

Whether you’re weighing a new Crosstrek against a certified pre-owned Forester, or wondering how much your current Subaru is worth as a trade, our team at Sport Subaru South can walk you through the numbers. Certified pre-owned Subarus are worth a close look too, since they offer a way to get into a high-resale model at a lower entry cost while still benefiting from factory-backed inspection standards.

Get a Trade-In Value

If you’re ready to see what’s available, browse our current inventory of new and certified pre-owned Subaru models, or contact our team to get a trade-in value on your current vehicle. We’re located at 9951 S Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, and our sales and service teams are ready to help Central Florida drivers make confident, well-informed decisions about their next Subaru.