Used 2021 Subaru Impreza for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost?

Prices have softened 4.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 597 listings available, you have a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy. If you find a listing below $17,166.90, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza a good car?

Yes — the 5/5 user rating and 7.67/10 expert rating point to a model that delivers on its practical mission. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The 2021 Impreza is built for you if you want a compact car that can double as a sensible SUV alternative, especially if you value standard all-wheel drive and a comfortable ride over flash. It also comes in sedan and hatchback body styles, so you can choose the layout that fits your daily routine.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials feel cheap, cargo space is limited, and the styling is uninspired. Even so, those compromises fit the Impreza’s focus on practicality, traction, and everyday usability.

Buy now if: you want a compact car with standard AWD and a straightforward ownership experience. The market shows 30.5% 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 built around its simple, practical formula: standard all-wheel drive, low operating costs for a compact car, and a ride that’s described as agreeable and refined. Its boxer engine layout also helps lower the center of gravity, which supports the car’s balanced feel on the road.

Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance suite is standard on CVT-equipped models, and that kind of broad safety coverage can reduce stress in everyday driving. Subaru also backs the car with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a neglected example could show its age through interior wear and the usual wear-and-tear issues that come with a practical commuter car.

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

At 69.7% 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 you’re considering a higher-mileage car or one with a lower asking price. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the car’s equipment matches the trim level you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models are the most stripped-down, with 16-inch steel wheels, while Sport models add 18-inch alloy wheels, contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and model-specific styling touches. Limited models add standard leather upholstery and LED headlights.
• Powertrain: Every 2021 Impreza uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models 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 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. The hatchback loses 1 mpg combined with the CVT, and 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 point and are comfortable with the most basic equipment. It still gives you the Impreza’s core appeal, including standard all-wheel drive, and it’s also one of the few trims where you can get the manual transmission.
• Premium: This is the trim that makes the most sense for many shoppers because it adds a better-equipped feel without pushing you to the top of the range. It also gained SI-Drive drive modes for 2021, which makes it the best-value choice if you want a more complete daily driver.
• Sport: Choose this if you want the most distinctive driving and appearance upgrades short of the Limited. It adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sport-specific styling, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and model-specific suspension tuning, plus torque vectoring on the AWD system.
• Limited: This is the trim to buy if you want the most upscale Impreza experience. It adds leather upholstery and LED headlights, and it can be equipped with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system.

The safety package is standard on CVT-equipped models, so if that matters most to you, make sure the trim and transmission combination you choose includes it.

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 still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 597 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,166.90, 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 $17,742 sits slightly below last year's $18,568.

That price movement suggests the market has softened, which can help you buy at a more favorable point if you plan to keep the car for a while. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car was maintained.

Because the Impreza has broad appeal as a practical all-weather compact car, clean examples should continue to attract shoppers who want standard AWD without moving up to an SUV. 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?

Both the 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback body styles received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick” award, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Impreza sedan and hatchback a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars 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.

One caveat is that the standard headlights only received a “Marginal” IIHS rating, which kept the car from earning a Top Safety Pick+ award. The Limited trim’s available headlights 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:

• 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.45% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model year keeps the lineup familiar while adding SI-Drive drive modes to the Premium trim and preserving the standard AWD setup that defines the Impreza.

The bottom line: If you want the most straightforward path to a used Impreza, the 2021 model is a strong choice because it combines standard all-wheel drive, solid safety, and a softer price trend. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can also use the broader market to your advantage by focusing on well-kept listings near the low end of the range and comparing trims carefully.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.