2021 Subaru Outback Depreciation
A 5-year-old 2021 Subaru Outback has lost about 33.6% of its roughly $33,595 original value. In the 2026 source cohort, it typically listed for around $23,098, with most listings between $19,994 and $26,998. Listed examples average 68,388 miles.

2021 Subaru Outback Price by Mileage
What buyers actually pay at different odometer readings.
How Mileage Affects 2021 Subaru Outback Price
Each dot is a real listing — price plotted against odometer reading.
| Mileage | Median price | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30k mi | $27,794 | 21 |
| 30k–50k mi | $25,990 | 54 |
| 50k–75k mi | $23,990 | 84 |
| 75k–100k mi | $22,379 | 61 |
| 100k–130k mi | $19,436 | 28 |
| Over 130k mi | $16,387 | 9 |
What's a Good Price for a 2021 Subaru Outback?
Great deal
Under $21,438
Typical
$21,438–$25,990
Overpriced
Above $25,990
Based on the middle 50% of listings — always adjust for mileage and condition.
Price Spread
Range across 257 listings.
Half of all listings fall between $21,438 and $25,990, with a median of $23,694.
Ownership & Condition
Across 257 2021 Subaru Outback listings.
Accident-free
100%
One-owner
50%
Avg owners
1.6
Personal use
62.5%
Certified (CPO)
3.1%
CPO premium
+$1,550
2021 Subaru Outback Efficiency & Specs
EPA fuel-economy and powertrain data.
Combined
28 MPG
City / Hwy
25 / 32
Fuel / year
$2,300
Fuel
Regular
Engine
2.5L 4-cyl
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Depreciation by Trim
See how each 2021 Subaru Outback trim holds its value.
| Trim | Fuel | MSRP | Median Resale | Depreciation | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | Gasoline | $29,045 | $21,399 | 26.1% | 53 |
| Limited | Gasoline | $33,595 | $23,251 | 32.4% | 55 |
| Onyx Edition XT | Gasoline | $35,145 | $23,800 | 34.3% | 22 |
| Touring | Gasoline | $37,495 | $25,255 | 35.2% | 16 |
| Limited XT | Gasoline | $37,995 | $22,994 | 38.2% | 23 |
| Touring XT | Gasoline | $39,945 | $24,494 | 40.6% | 28 |
How the 2021 Subaru Outback Compares to Other Years
At 33.6% depreciation, the 2021 Subaru Outback sits among its neighbors on the depreciation curve. The one-year-newer 2022 has lost 28.5% (around $24,978), so stepping up a model year costs roughly $1,880 more. The older 2020 sits at 38.1% (around $21,563), so dropping back a year saves about $1,535. Buying one model year newer or older is one of the easiest ways to trade purchase price against age and remaining warranty.
Safety Ratings
NHTSA crash test ratings for the 2021 Subaru Outback.
Known Issues & Complaints
290 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls reported.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
89 complaintsI was driving when I heard a loud explosion sound. I first thought a rock or gunshot hit my car and pulled over to examine my car. I checked all around the car and didn't notice any damage on the side of my car but then I noticed that my su
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
71 complaintsThis 021' outback XXX purchased in 023'/ 24k Mi Freehold subaru. freehold NJ 'if purchased new would've been on the desk of a local lemon law attorney by now. Over the few years the lock unlock function of key fobs stubbornly, randomly & re
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
47 complaintsFirst battery drain in car. Bought a new battery and it drained again for the second time. Called Suburu to ask about a parasitic drain from the DCM and they said it was likely that and told me to call Suburu America. Did that but they want
AIR BAGS
16 complaintsWe are VERY concerned about the failure of some very important safety features of our 2021 Subaru Outback Touring Edition. We were involved in a bad car accident caused by a person under the influence who was in handcuffs when we were taken
POWER TRAIN
10 complaintsThermo Control Valve Failure- Contact Subaru of Cherry Hill, NJ for Inspection 177,4XX Miles P26A5 code Check engine Light on, Disabled Safety Systems (Eyesight System), Car may have overheated if not pulled over and turned off. Part of war
VISIBILITY
10 complaintsThe contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she became aware that the front windshield had suddenly cracked, extending from the center of the windshield to the passenger’s side bezel. The ve
Top Issues
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- AIR BAGS
- POWER TRAIN
Buyer Red Flags
- !Recall 21V024000 (POWER TRAIN): Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tight
- !Recall 22V485000 (POWER TRAIN): Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to enga
- !Recall 23V755000 (POWER TRAIN): Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inh
- !Recall 24V227000 (AIR BAGS): Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short
2021 Subaru Outback Listings
Real 2021 Outback listings on the market now.

$28,424
Certified2021 Limited XT · Magnetite Gray Metallic
18,743 mi · Acton, MA
View listing →

$23,487
Certified2021 Premium · Crystal White Pearl
34,652 mi · McKinney, TX
View listing →

$24,590
2021 Premium · Black
51,395 mi · New York City, NY
View listing →

$24,496
Certified2021 Limited · Magnetite Gray Metallic
55,765 mi · Robbinsville, NJ
View listing →

$25,999
Certified2021 Touring XT · Crystal White Pearl
57,327 mi · Danbury, CT
View listing →

$21,438
Certified2021 Premium · Autumn Green Metallic
61,865 mi · Reno, NV
View listing →
Live dealer listings, refreshed periodically. Prices and availability change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 2021 Subaru Outback worth?
A 2021 Subaru Outback is typically worth around $23,098, with most listings falling between $19,994 and $26,998. The single biggest swing factor is mileage — listed examples average about 68,388 miles, and each additional 10,000 miles shaves a few percent off the price. Condition, accident history, trim, and how many owners a car has had move the number from there. Treat the median as a fair starting point and adjust up for a clean, low-mileage, one-owner car or down for higher mileage and any reported damage.
How much has the 2021 Subaru Outback depreciated?
The 2021 Subaru Outback has lost about 33.6% of its original $33,595 base MSRP — roughly $11,288 in value, after adjusting listing prices to typical mileage for the age. Most of a car's lifetime depreciation happens in its earliest years, so a vehicle of this age has usually weathered the steepest part of the curve already. That's what makes a well-kept example at this age an efficient buy: you let the original owner absorb the fastest depreciation, then enjoy a much slower decline from here.
How many miles does a used 2021 Outback have?
Listed 2021 Outbacks average about 68,388 miles, with most between 38,612 and 98,732. As a rule of thumb, "average" mileage for any car is roughly 12,000 miles per year of age, so compare a specific listing against that benchmark. A below-average odometer commands a premium and an above-average one a discount, but a higher-mileage car with complete service records and one owner can be a better buy than a low-mileage car with gaps in its history. Consistent maintenance does more for a car's remaining lifespan than a low number on the odometer alone.
Is a certified 2021 Outback worth the extra cost?
Certified pre-owned 2021 Outbacks sell for roughly $1,550 more than comparable non-certified examples. In exchange you get a manufacturer-backed multi-point inspection, a reconditioning standard, and an extended warranty that can outlast the original coverage. Whether it's worth it depends on how long you'll keep the car: on a vehicle you plan to own for years the warranty often pays for itself, while on a short-term purchase the premium is harder to justify and a trusted independent inspection may give you most of the peace of mind for less.
What is a good price for a 2021 Subaru Outback?
For a 2021 Subaru Outback, anything under $21,438 is a strong deal, $21,438 to $25,990 is the typical range where most cars trade, and above $25,990 is on the expensive side — those higher prices usually buy lower mileage, a certified warranty, or a premium trim. Always weigh the asking price against the car's specific mileage and condition rather than the sticker alone: a slightly higher price for a clean, one-owner, accident-free example is often money well spent. And treat a listing priced well below the range as a prompt to dig deeper — unusually cheap cars almost always have a reason, whether it's high mileage, accident history, or a branded title.
Methodology
Figures for the 2021 Subaru Outback are computed from 197 real used-car listings. Each asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the car's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.