Used 2016 Subaru WRX for Sale nearPalm Desert, CA

How much does the 2016 Subaru WRX cost?

Prices have softened 5.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 516 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2016 Subaru WRX a good car?

Generally — you’re looking at a 4.4/5 user rating and an 8.5/10 expert rating, which points to a strong overall reception. The model scores 9/10 across Performance, Form and function, Cost effectiveness, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the driving experience, performance, comfort, and value. That lines up with the WRX’s use case as a sport compact that still works as an everyday commuter, with Subaru framing it as a car that blends fun, frugality, and functionality. You should expect a car that appeals most if you want excitement without giving up practicality.

There are 31.2% of listings priced as good or great deals, so the market offers some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Subaru WRX reliable?

Owners rate it 4.4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable in the ways that matter to shoppers who want performance and everyday usability in one package. Reviews also emphasize that it delivers a satisfying driving experience over time, with value and comfort standing out alongside the performance.

The expert evaluation also describes it as a comfortable commuter with a serious wild side, which suggests it can handle daily use without feeling fragile. If you’re buying used, the main long-term ownership risk is less about the concept of the car and more about how hard it was driven and maintained.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Subaru WRX?

At 51.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been modified or driven aggressively. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and signs of wear that could reflect hard use rather than just mileage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base WRX is the simplest version, while higher trims add comforts such as a sunroof, leather seating, and a power driver’s seat. The lower trim is the one most likely to leave you without those extras, so check whether the missing equipment matters to you.
• Powertrain: The WRX uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat 4-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive, and it is paired with either a 6-speed manual or, in Premium or Limited versions, a CVT automatic. The manual is described as precise, while the CVT adds paddle shifters and is serviceable.
• Safety package: EyeSight is available only on CVT-equipped models and includes blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and cross-path alerts. All WRXs include a backup camera.
• Infotainment: The WRX gets a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 4.5-inch multifunction display above the dashboard. Bluetooth phone connectivity and steering-wheel-mounted controls are standard, while navigation, remote start, and a premium 9-speaker Harman Kardon stereo are available.
• Fuel efficiency: The manual is rated at 21 mpg city/28 highway/24 combined, while the CVT returns 19/25/21.

Which 2016 Subaru WRX trim should I buy?

The 2016 Subaru WRX is offered in 3 trim levels: WRX, WRX Premium, and WRX Limited.

Here's the short version:

• WRX: This is the trim to start with if you want the core WRX experience at the lowest entry point. It gives you the turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, Bluetooth phone connectivity, steering-wheel-mounted controls, and the standard backup camera, but it skips the comfort upgrades found higher up the range.
• WRX Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the comfort and convenience upgrades that make the car easier to live with, including a sunroof and the option for the CVT automatic. If you want the strongest balance of price and equipment, this is the one to focus on.
• WRX Limited: Choose this if you want the most upscale version of the lineup, with leather seating and a power driver’s seat on top of the Premium’s equipment. It suits you best if comfort matters as much as performance.

EyeSight is only available on CVT-equipped models, so if that driver-assistance suite matters to you, make sure you shop accordingly.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Subaru WRX?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 516 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,293, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Subaru WRX's resale value?

The current average of $14,559 sits slightly below last year's $15,366.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car was maintained.

Because the WRX still has strong enthusiast appeal and a solid owner satisfaction score, well-kept examples should continue to draw interest. If you preserve the car carefully, you’re more likely to protect value than if you buy a rough or heavily modified example.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.4/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Subaru WRX safe?

The Subaru WRX has earned the highest marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a Good rating in front and side crashes.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The WRX includes active torque vectoring, Vehicle Dynamics Control, antilock brakes, a reinforced frame system, standard driver and passenger airbags, side curtains, a driver-side knee airbag, and a backup camera. EyeSight is available only on CVT-equipped models and adds blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and cross-path alerts.

One caveat to keep in mind is that the more advanced driver-assistance suite is not standard across the lineup, so you need to shop carefully if that equipment matters to you.

Should I buy a 2016 Subaru WRX or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 model year adds a new 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and keeps the WRX’s strong performance-and-practicality formula intact.

The bottom line: The 2016 WRX makes sense if you want a used sport compact with strong performance, everyday usability, and a market that has become more buyer-friendly. If you’re price-sensitive, the softened pricing and decent deal availability make this a good year to target; if you want the newest tech or more advanced driver-assistance features, you may want to compare nearby years before deciding.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.