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.

Subaru Outback exterior
Image: Auto Reliability Index

2021 Subaru Outback Price by Mileage

What buyers actually pay at different odometer readings.

Under 30k mi
$27,794· 21 listings
30k–50k mi
$25,990· 54 listings
50k–75k mi
$23,990· 84 listings
75k–100k mi
$22,379· 61 listings
100k–130k mi
$19,436· 28 listings
Over 130k mi
$16,387· 9 listings

How Mileage Affects 2021 Subaru Outback Price

Each dot is a real listing — price plotted against odometer reading.

2021 Subaru Outback median price by mileage band
MileageMedian priceListings
Under 30k mi$27,79421
30k–50k mi$25,99054
50k–75k mi$23,99084
75k–100k mi$22,37961
100k–130k mi$19,43628
Over 130k mi$16,3879

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.

Low $17,960High $28,966

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.

TrimFuelMSRPMedian ResaleDepreciationListings
PremiumGasoline$29,045$21,39926.1%53
LimitedGasoline$33,595$23,25132.4%55
Onyx Edition XTGasoline$35,145$23,80034.3%22
TouringGasoline$37,495$25,25535.2%16
Limited XTGasoline$37,995$22,99438.2%23
Touring XTGasoline$39,945$24,49440.6%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.

Overall
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover

View full NHTSA report

Known Issues & Complaints

290 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls reported.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

89 complaints

I 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 complaints

This 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

2 crashes1 fire1 injury

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

47 complaints

First 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

1 crash

AIR BAGS

16 complaints

We 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

1 crash2 injuries

POWER TRAIN

10 complaints

Thermo 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

1 crash

VISIBILITY

10 complaints

The 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.

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.