Future Bargain: Why This Used Subaru SUV Will Be A Steal in 5 Years
Depreciation can be a beautiful thing for consumers. For current owners, not so much. Some vehicles age like a fine whine, and others age like milk. One Subaru SUV should retain a large percentage of its value over the next five years, but it could still be heavily discounted by dealerships and private sellers. Here’s why this Subaru SUV should be on your shortlist in a few years.
The Subaru Forester Wilderness gets better (for buyers) with age
Years of writing as an Automotive Journalist have allowed me to find sweet spots between affordability and reliability for used vehicles. A general rule of thumb for many consumers is that a vehicle with 50,000 miles or less on it is still relatively new. It would take the average driver 3.5 years to rack up 50K miles on a new vehicle.
Model years that are about five years old generally experience strong depreciation from their original MSRP. So, some of the best used models to look for are three to five years old with 50,000 miles or less. If the nameplates are reliable, these vehicles can last for an additional seven to 10 years of ownership.
The 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness is a great new SUV. It’ll arguably be an even better used model for consumers that are willing to wait for a few years before purchasing the specific model year.
| Starting MSRP | $34,920 |
| Power Output | 182 Horsepower, 176 LB-FT of Torque |
| MPG | 25 City, 28 Highway |
| Ground Clearance | 9.2 Inches |
Subaru’s small off-road SUV already has a strong value proposition. Imagine when it begins to depreciate, and its price is even lower.
Why the Subaru Forester Wilderness makes a great used SUV
What makes a great used SUV? For many consumers, affordability is the first factor they consider, followed by reliability. Can I afford this? Will it serve me for a reasonable amount of time? Since the Forester nameplate has a history of reliability, a five-year-old Forester Wilderness shouldn’t have any major mechanical issues if it has racked up 50,000-72,000 miles.
The Subaru Forester Wilderness makes a great used SUV because it has more capability than an average Forester, thanks to suspension upgrades and all-terrain tires. It also comes standard with plenty of off-roading goodies. If a few years of depreciation cuts into its price, all the better for consumers. If drivers can find the sweet spot between mileage and affordability on the 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness (or a newer model year) in a few years, they can snag a great used SUV.
The future of the Subaru Forester Wilderness
The 2022 Subaru Forester was the first model year to receive the Wilderness trim option. The Crosstrek subcompact SUV and Outback midsize SUV now have the Wilderness option as well. There’s a clear demand for SUVs with off-roading capability.
The Subaru Forester Wilderness has the potential to become wildly popular over the next few years. Used models could become popular among consumers as well. Wilderness configurations have a bright future in the industry. Will the Subaru Forester Wilderness become one of the most in-demand used small SUVs as the nameplate ages?
