Used 2021 Subaru Impreza for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost?

Prices have softened 4.65% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 627 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru Impreza earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.7/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The Impreza fits you well if you want a practical compact car with standard all-wheel drive, low operating costs, and both sedan and hatchback body styles. The trade-offs are that the interior materials feel cheap and the car is not especially exciting to drive, with limited cargo space and uninspired styling. Even so, the market shows 34.1% of listings 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 appeal is built around standard all-wheel drive, a straightforward lineup, and compact-car operating costs, which all point to an ownership experience centered on practicality. The expert review also describes it as a solid and refined daily driver, even if it lacks the engagement of some rivals. Its boxer engine layout helps lower the center of gravity, and Subaru’s standard EyeSight driver-assist tech on CVT-equipped models adds another layer of everyday confidence.

Subaru’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty are in line with the class. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a practical car like this may have seen steady year-round use, so condition and maintenance history matter.

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

At 69.5% 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 you’re considering a car with winter use or higher mileage. Focus on body condition, tire wear, and signs of uneven use, since the Impreza’s value proposition depends heavily on clean condition and consistent maintenance. If you’re shopping a CVT-equipped car, make sure the transmission feels smooth and well cared for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models get 16-inch steel wheels and a 6.5-inch touchscreen, 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, so the base trim is the most stripped-down choice.
• Powertrain: Every model uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most versions use a CVT, while a five-speed manual is 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. A rear-seat reminder is also standard, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights are available 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 trim can be optioned with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: Most sedan models with the CVT are rated at 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, while manual sedan models are rated at 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Hatchback versions lose 1 mpg in the combined category with the CVT, and Impreza 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 most affordable way to get standard all-wheel drive and the manual transmission, but it’s also the most basic version, with steel wheels and the smaller 6.5-inch touchscreen. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and don’t need extra comfort or tech.
• Premium: This is the trim that adds more everyday convenience while staying close to the core value of the car, and it’s the best-value choice for many shoppers. It also gained SI-Drive drive modes for 2021, which gives it a little more flexibility without pushing you into a pricier trim.
• Sport: This is the right pick if you want the most distinctive look and a more tailored driving setup, thanks to its styling touches, suspension tuning, and torque vectoring. It also keeps the manual transmission available on the hatchback, which makes it the enthusiast-friendly choice in the lineup.
• Limited: This is the trim to choose if you want the most upscale equipment, including leather upholstery and LED headlights. It’s the most complete version, but you’ll want to weigh whether the added features are worth the higher price.

The standard EyeSight safety suite is a major plus on CVT-equipped models, and the Limited’s available headlight upgrade helps address the trim-level safety gap noted in the safety testing.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on the best examples.

• Deal availability: 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 627 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.65% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,027, 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 $17,027 sits slightly below last year's $17,858.

That price movement suggests the market has softened, which can help you as a buyer today but may also limit upside for a future seller in the near term. If you plan to resell later, the Impreza’s value will likely depend on keeping mileage reasonable and condition clean, especially because shoppers in this segment are sensitive to wear and accident history. The model’s practical reputation and standard all-wheel drive should continue to support demand.

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 a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings 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 options.

The main caveat is that the Impreza missed out on a Top Safety Pick+ award because its standard headlights received a Marginal rating. The Limited trim’s available headlights earned a Good score, which helps address that shortcoming.

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:

• 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.65% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert or safety highlight specific to this year from the review team: standard all-wheel drive, a Top Safety Pick award, and the addition of SI-Drive drive modes on the Premium trim.

The bottom line: The 2021 Impreza is the right path if you want standard all-wheel drive, a practical body style choice, and a market that currently favors careful shoppers. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can also look at nearby years, but the 2021’s combination of safety, value, and availability makes it a sensible target.

How does the 2021 Subaru Impreza compare to the 2021 Honda Civic?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Subaru Impreza:

• Pros: Standard all-wheel drive, Comfortable, Manual transmission available.
• Cons: Interior materials feel cheap, Not much cargo space, Uninspired styling.

2021 Honda Civic:

• Pros: Stylish design, Multiple body styles, Fun to drive.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology, Interior materials feel cheap.

Our experts score the 2021 Subaru Impreza 7.7/10 and the 2021 Honda Civic 7.2/10. The Impreza is the better pick if you want standard all-wheel drive and a calmer, more comfort-focused daily driver. The Civic counters with stronger style and a more engaging personality, but the Impreza’s available manual transmission and standard AWD give it a clearer practical edge for bad-weather use.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.