Used 2021 Subaru Impreza for Sale nearAlexandria, VA

How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost?

Prices have softened 5.60% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 635 listings available, which suggests a modest amount of inventory for shoppers to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru Impreza earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The Impreza’s appeal is rooted in practicality: standard all-wheel drive gives you extra confidence in wintry climates, and the sedan and hatchback body styles give you some flexibility depending on how you use the car. It’s also positioned as a low-operating-cost compact, which fits well if you want everyday usefulness more than flash.

The trade-offs are clear, though: the interior materials feel cheap, cargo space is limited, and the styling is uninspired. Even so, the Impreza’s straightforward setup makes sense if you want a sensible small car with standard AWD.

39.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza reliable?

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

The Impreza’s reliability case is helped by its simple, practical mission and its standard all-wheel-drive setup, which is a core part of its identity. The expert evaluation also describes it as a solid and refined daily driver, which supports the idea that it’s built for steady everyday use rather than high-strung performance.

Its 2.0-liter boxer engine and CVT-focused lineup point to a conventional, low-drama ownership experience, and the available manual transmission gives you another option on select trims. Subaru’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty also add some reassurance for early ownership.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about complexity and more about how the car was treated, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Subaru Impreza?

At 70.4% 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 careful pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a car with winter use or higher mileage. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the car’s equipment matches the trim you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models get 16-inch steel wheels, while Sport models add 18-inch alloy wheels, contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals; Limited models add standard leather upholstery and LED headlights.
• Powertrain: Every model uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, with a CVT on most versions and a five-speed manual available only on the base sedan and hatchback and the Sport hatchback.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite is standard on CVT-equipped models and includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert; blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights are available as options.
• Infotainment: Base and Premium trims get a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth, while higher trims get an 8-inch touchscreen; the Limited can add TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: Most sedan models return 32 mpg combined with the CVT and 26 mpg combined with the manual, while the hatchback loses 1 mpg combined with the CVT and gains 1 mpg in the city with the manual; Sport models return slightly lower fuel economy in all configurations.

Which 2021 Subaru Impreza trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza is offered in 4 trim levels: base, Premium, Sport, and Limited.

Here's the short version:

• base: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry price and are comfortable with the simpler equipment set. It still gives you the Impreza’s core appeal, including standard all-wheel drive and the available manual transmission.
• Premium: This is the trim to watch if you want a more balanced everyday setup, especially because SI-Drive drive modes became available here for 2021. It’s the best-value choice for shoppers who want a little more flexibility without jumping to the pricier trims.
• Sport: This trim adds the most noticeable character, with 18-inch alloy wheels, contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, sport-specific suspension tuning, and torque vectoring for the AWD system. It suits you best if you want the most engaging version of the Impreza without leaving the mainstream lineup.
• Limited: This is the most upscale choice, with standard leather upholstery and LED headlights, plus the option package that adds TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. It makes the most sense if you want the most comfort and available tech in the range.

The safety package is standard on CVT-equipped models, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights remain optional.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Subaru Impreza?

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

• Deal availability: 39.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 635 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.60% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 70.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,097, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru Impreza's resale value?

The current average of $17,097 sits slightly below last year's $18,111.

That softer pricing suggests the market has moved in buyers’ favor, which can make it harder for a future seller to command a premium unless the car is especially clean and well equipped. If you’re buying now, that can work to your advantage; if you’re selling later, condition and documentation will matter more.

The Impreza’s practical reputation and standard all-wheel drive should help it stay relevant with shoppers who want a sensible compact car for all-weather use. Still, resale will likely depend heavily on trim, mileage, and how well the car has been maintained.

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

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza safe?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza earns a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA in all crash tests.

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

Subaru’s EyeSight safety tech is standard on CVT-equipped models and includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. A rear-seat reminder is also standard, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights are available as options.

One caveat is that the Impreza missed out on a Top Safety Pick+ award because its standard headlights received only a Marginal rating. The headlights available on the Limited trim level received a Good score.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Impreza or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 39.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.60% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 update is modest, with SI-Drive drive modes added to the Premium trim and only a small price increase.

The bottom line: The 2021 Impreza makes the most sense if you want standard all-wheel drive, a practical compact footprint, and a market that currently favors shoppers more than sellers. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2021 is still worth a look because the softer pricing and decent deal availability give you room to find a clean example; if you want the newest-feeling version, the changes are limited enough that you can focus more on condition and trim than on model-year differences.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.