How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost?

Prices have softened 5.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 587 listings available, which suggests a workable amount of inventory for shoppers comparing trims and body styles.

If you find a listing below $17,198.52, 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 2021 Subaru Impreza earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

It fits well if you want a compact car that can serve as a sensible SUV alternative, especially if you value standard all-wheel drive and a comfortable ride over flash. The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials feel cheap, cargo space is limited, and the styling is uninspired.

The model’s standard AWD and low operating costs make it appealing for everyday use, particularly in wintry climates. 31.9% 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 appeal centers on standard all-wheel drive, everyday usability, and a ride that feels solid and refined. Its boxer engine layout also helps lower the car’s center of gravity, which supports stable road manners.

Subaru’s EyeSight system is standard on CVT-equipped models, and the car’s straightforward infotainment and practical design suggest a low-drama ownership experience. Subaru also backs it 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 risk is making sure the car has been maintained well, especially if you’re considering one with higher mileage or prior accident history.

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

At 69.8% 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 in a collision or shows uneven wear. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs that the car has been repaired after damage.

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. The Limited trim adds 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. Most versions use a CVT, while a five-speed manual is available only on the base sedan and hatchback and the Sport hatchback. The Sport also adds model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring.
• 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.
• Infotainment: Base and Premium trims get a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims get an 8-inch touchscreen, and 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. The hatchback loses 1 mpg combined with the CVT, while the manual hatch gains 1 mpg in the city. 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 trim: This is the most affordable way in, but it comes with 16-inch steel wheels and the smaller 6.5-inch touchscreen, so it feels more basic than the higher trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: Premium is the best value if you want a more comfortable daily driver, and it also gained SI-Drive drive modes for 2021.
• Premium/top trim: Limited is the most upscale choice, with standard leather upholstery, LED headlights, and the option for navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Off-road trim: Sport is the one to consider if you want the most engaging setup, but its lower fuel economy and firmer tuning make it less ideal if you mainly want a simple commuter.

The safety package is standard on CVT-equipped models, so if you want the full EyeSight suite, make sure the trim and transmission combination you choose includes it.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to compare options without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 587 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.94% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,198.52, 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 $17,643 sits slightly below last year's $18,757.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point if you plan to keep the car for several years. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend more on condition, mileage, and trim than on broad market momentum.

Because the model has standard all-wheel drive and broad practical appeal, well-kept examples should remain attractive to used buyers. 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 as options.

Both body styles missed out on a “Top Safety Pick+” award because their standard headlights only received a “Marginal” rating. The headlights available on the Limited trim level received a “Good” score, however.

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:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model year keeps the familiar formula of standard AWD, available sedan and hatchback body styles, and only minor changes from the prior year.

The bottom line: If you want the most straightforward path to a used Impreza, the 2021 model is a sensible target because it combines standard all-wheel drive, strong safety, and a softer price trend. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can also compare nearby years, but the 2021 remains appealing when you want a familiar, practical compact car with broad everyday usefulness.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.