Used 2021 Subaru Impreza for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost?

Prices have softened 1.87% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 621 listings available, which gives you a modest pool of options to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza a good car?

Yes — the 5/5 user rating and 7.67/10 expert rating point to a strong overall case for the 2021 Subaru Impreza. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The Impreza’s appeal comes from its standard all-wheel drive, comfortable ride, and straightforward compact-car practicality. It is available in sedan and hatchback body styles, so you can choose the format that fits your daily use best.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials feel cheap, cargo space is limited, and the styling is uninspired. Even so, the Impreza makes sense if you want low operating costs and foul-weather capability without moving up to an SUV.

31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

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 aimed at everyday usability rather than complexity. The expert evaluation also describes it as a solid and refined daily driver, which supports the idea that it should be easy to live with over time.

Its 2.0-liter boxer engine and available CVT are straightforward mechanical pieces, and the model’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty adds some reassurance for used buyers. For long-term ownership, the main risk is less about sophistication and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by hard use.

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

At 71.2% 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 considering a car with a lower price or a sparse service record. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs of prior repair work, since those details can tell you a lot about how the car was treated.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models are the most stripped-down, 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 you should pay close attention to whether the features you want are present on the specific car you are considering.
• 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. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights are available, and the Limited trim gets the better-rated headlights.
• Infotainment: Base and Premium trims use a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth, while higher trims get an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited trim can also be equipped with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The sedan is rated at 32 mpg combined with the CVT and 26 mpg combined with the manual. The hatchback loses 1 mpg in combined driving with the CVT, and the 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 list. It still gives you the Impreza’s core strengths, including standard all-wheel drive and the available manual transmission, but you give up the nicer cabin touches and upgraded tech found higher up the range.
• Premium: This is the trim to target if you want the best balance of price and everyday comfort. It adds a more polished feel than the base model, and for 2021 it also gains SI-Drive drive modes, which makes it the most compelling middle-ground choice for many shoppers.
• Sport: Choose this if you want the most distinctive driving and appearance package in the lineup. It adds 18-inch alloy wheels, contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, model-specific suspension tuning, and torque vectoring, but it still isn’t a true performance car.
• Limited: This is the trim for you if you want the most upscale Impreza experience. It adds standard leather upholstery and LED headlights, and it is the trim to look for if you want the available upgraded headlights and the most complete feature set.

The safety package is standard on CVT-equipped models, but the Limited trim is the one that benefits from the better-rated headlights.

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: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 621 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.87% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,163, 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 $17,914 sits slightly below last year's $18,255.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a better entry point today. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend more on condition, mileage, and equipment than on broad market momentum.

If you keep the car clean, documented, and accident-free, you should be in a better position when it is time to sell. 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.

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 important caveat is that the standard headlights only received a Marginal IIHS rating, which kept the car from earning Top Safety Pick+ status. The Limited trim’s available headlights received a Good score, so that trim is worth a closer look if safety equipment is a priority.

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 71.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.87% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• For 2021, SI-Drive drive modes become available on the Premium trim, and the lineup gets a $100 price increase.

The bottom line: The 2021 Impreza is a smart pick if you want standard all-wheel drive, simple trim choices, and a used-car market that still offers some negotiating room. If you are especially price-sensitive, you may also want to compare nearby model years for the best combination of equipment, condition, and asking price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.