Used 2021 Subaru Impreza for Sale nearSacramento, CA

How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost?

Prices have softened 3.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 594 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Impreza options 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 stands out as a practical compact car with standard all-wheel drive, and it is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, which broadens its usefulness if you want a small car with extra flexibility. It also has a comfortable ride and a manual transmission option, but it is held back by interior materials that feel cheap and limited cargo space.

One trade-off is that it is not especially engaging to drive, and the steering and engine response are not its strongest points. Another is that the styling is conservative enough to be easy to overlook.

36.5% 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 built around its practical design, standard all-wheel drive, and straightforward compact-car mission. The expert review also describes it as solid and refined, which supports the idea that it is engineered for everyday use rather than flash.

Its 2.0-liter boxer engine and CVT-equipped setup are presented as durable, mainstream hardware, and Subaru’s standard warranty coverage is in line with what many rivals offer. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about complexity and more about finding an example that has been maintained well and not worn down by hard use.

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

At 68.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and make sure the car’s accident record, title status, and service history all line up. A pre-purchase inspection is especially useful here because the Impreza’s value depends heavily on condition, and you want to confirm that any prior damage was repaired properly. Pay close attention to body panels, alignment, tire wear, and signs of interior wear that could hint at harder-than-average use.

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.
• Powertrain: Every model uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, with a CVT on most versions and a five-speed manual 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 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 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 and Sport variants vary slightly from those figures.

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 least expensive way to get the Impreza’s standard all-wheel drive and manual transmission availability, so it makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and do not need extra equipment.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday convenience while also gaining SI-Drive drive modes for 2021, making it the sweet spot if you want a better-equipped Impreza without jumping too far up the range.
• Sport: Choose this if you want the most distinctive look and the most driver-focused setup in the lineup, including 18-inch alloy wheels, model-specific suspension tuning, and torque vectoring for the AWD system.
• Limited: This is the trim to buy if you want the most comfort and the most upscale equipment, including leather upholstery, LED headlights, and the available navigation and Harman Kardon audio package.

The standard EyeSight safety suite is part of the Impreza’s value story on CVT-equipped models, while the Limited’s headlight upgrade helps address the lower-rated standard headlights.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you are a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 594 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.94% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 68.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,001, 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 $17,001 sits slightly below last year's $17,699.

That softer pricing suggests the Impreza is currently in a buyer-friendly phase, which can help you if you are shopping now but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. Even so, the model’s practical reputation and standard all-wheel drive should help it stay relevant with shoppers who want an affordable all-weather compact car.

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 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 Impreza missed out on a Top Safety Pick+ award because its standard headlights received only a Marginal rating. The Limited trim’s available headlights earned 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:

• 36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 68.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model year adds SI-Drive drive modes to the Premium trim and keeps the lineup otherwise unchanged.

The bottom line: The 2021 Impreza makes sense if you want a practical all-wheel-drive compact car and you value current-year pricing that has softened. If you are especially price-sensitive, you may also want to compare nearby model years for the best combination of condition, mileage, and asking price.

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, driving enjoyment, and a broader range of body styles.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.