Used 2021 Subaru Impreza for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost?

Prices have softened 4.30% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 571 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Impreza options to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza a good car?

Yes — with a 5/5 user rating and an expert score of 7.7/10, the 2021 Subaru Impreza is a strong fit if you want a practical compact car with standard all-wheel drive and sedan or hatchback flexibility. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The overview and expert review both point to the Impreza’s all-weather usefulness, especially if you live where winter traction matters. The trade-offs are clear too: interior materials feel cheap, cargo space is limited, and the styling is understated rather than memorable.

36.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza reliable?

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

The overview and expert review both frame the Impreza as a practical, easy-to-live-with compact car rather than a high-strung one. Its standard all-wheel drive, comfortable ride, and straightforward daily-driver character support that reputation, while the available manual transmission adds to its appeal for shoppers who want a simpler setup.

The performance notes also describe it as an agreeable daily driver that feels solid and refined, which is a good sign for long-term ownership. For used buyers, the main risk is less about mechanical drama and more about finding an example that has been maintained well and not worn down by heavy use.

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

At 66.5% 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 are comparing multiple listings at similar prices. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the car’s equipment matches the trim level you expected. Because the Impreza is often chosen for practical use, it is worth paying close attention to wear and tear inside the cabin as well.

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, so the lower trims are the ones where you will feel the biggest feature gap.
• 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.
• 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 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 top Limited trim can add TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT sedan is rated at 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, while the manual sedan is rated at 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The hatchback loses 1 mpg in the combined category with the CVT and gains 1 mpg in the city category with the manual.

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 entry point if you want the lowest-cost way into standard all-wheel drive, and it is also one of the few trims where you can get the manual transmission. It makes the most sense if you care more about value and simplicity than extra comfort or tech.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday convenience while keeping the Impreza’s core strengths intact. It also gained SI-Drive drive modes for 2021, which makes it the trim to watch if you want a little more flexibility without moving up to the sportier model.
• Sport: This trim is the one to choose if you want the most character in the lineup. It adds model-specific styling touches, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and sport-tuned suspension, and it is also the only other trim with a manual transmission in hatchback form.
• Limited: This is the trim to buy if you want the most upscale equipment in the range. It adds leather upholstery and LED headlights, and it is the trim where the available headlight upgrade earns a better safety rating.

The safety package is standard on CVT-equipped models, but some features remain optional, so check the equipment list carefully before you buy.

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 with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 36.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 571 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 66.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,867, 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 $16,867 sits slightly below last year's $17,625.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a better entry point today. If you plan to sell later, the same trend means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim choice rather than broad market momentum.

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 rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars in all crash tests.

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

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 as options.

One caveat is that the standard headlights kept the car from earning Top Safety Pick+ status, though 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:

• 36.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 66.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.30% 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 comfortable ride, and strong safety performance remain key strengths.

The bottom line: The 2021 Impreza makes the most sense if you want a practical compact car with standard all-wheel drive and you value safety and all-weather usability. If you are especially price-sensitive, you can also compare nearby model years, but the 2021 is a sensible target when you want a balanced mix of value, traction, and everyday livability.

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 more comfort-focused daily driver. The Civic has the edge if you care more about style, body-style variety, and a more engaging drive, but it gives up the Impreza’s all-weather advantage.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.