Used 2021 Subaru WRX for Sale nearAlexandria, VA

How much does the 2021 Subaru WRX cost?

Prices have softened 4.15% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 861 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX a good car?

Yes — you get a 4.7/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating, which points to broad appeal for shoppers who want a sports sedan with everyday usability. The WRX stands out as a car that prioritizes driving enjoyment over refinement, while still offering enough practicality to suit four or more passengers. Its strongest traits are straightforward: it is fun to drive, it has a powerful engine, and it comes with standard all-wheel drive.

The trade-offs are just as clear. The ride is stiff, the back seat is cramped, and the cabin quality and technology feel dated compared with more polished rivals. If you want sharp cornering and brisk acceleration in a sedan body, those compromises may be acceptable.

The model scores 8/10 across Performance and Cost effectiveness.

There are 30.5% of listings priced as good or great deals, which gives you room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The WRX’s appeal is built around a simple formula: standard all-wheel drive, a turbocharged engine, and a focus on driver engagement. That kind of setup can be a strength for long-term ownership if you value durability-minded simplicity over luxury features. The expert assessment also notes that the car’s performance hardware is balanced by a low-grade cabin and dated technology, which are more comfort and convenience concerns than mechanical ones.

Its performance setup is described as balanced and precise, with well-weighted steering and torque vectoring helping it feel composed on winding roads. The cost-effectiveness notes also point out that the WRX makes fun-on-four-wheels accessible at a relatively attainable price.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the car’s enthusiast appeal may mean harder use and more wear than a typical commuter sedan.

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

At 72.1% 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 modified or driven hard. Focus on signs of wear in the clutch, suspension, brakes, and interior, since the WRX’s sporty mission can mean more aggressive use than average. It also makes sense to compare trim equipment carefully, because some desirable safety and convenience features are tied to higher trims or specific transmissions.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim is the most stripped-down version, while the Premium adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, heated seats, pushbutton start, auto on/off headlights, and a larger 7-inch infotainment screen. The Limited adds leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, LED fog lights, and adaptive steering-responsive LED headlights.
• Powertrain: The WRX uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. You can choose a six-speed manual or an available CVT, and the manual returns 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the CVT returns 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite includes adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning. It is available on the Premium and Limited trims, but only with the CVT. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking are available only on the Limited.
• Infotainment: The Base trim gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims get a 7-inch screen, and the system remains easy to use even if the graphics feel dated.
• Fuel efficiency: The WRX returns 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined with the manual, or 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with the CVT.

Which 2021 Subaru WRX trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru WRX is offered in 3 trim levels: Base, Premium, and Limited.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value play if you want the WRX’s core formula at the lowest price. You still get standard all-wheel drive, the turbocharged engine, a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the same driving character that defines the car.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the comfort and convenience upgrades that make daily use easier, including heated seats, pushbutton start, fog lights, and the larger 7-inch infotainment screen. It also opens the door to the CVT and the EyeSight safety suite.
• Limited: Choose this if you want the most upscale WRX experience, with leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive LED headlights, and access to additional driver-assistance features through an option package.

The EyeSight safety suite is available on the Premium and Limited trims, but only with the CVT.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on a strong listing.

• Deal availability: 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 861 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.15% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,215, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru WRX's resale value?

The current average of $22,476 sits slightly below last year's $23,449.

That decline suggests the market has eased, which can help you buy more confidently now but may also temper near-term resale upside if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the key takeaway is that the WRX’s value is being supported by its enthusiast appeal rather than by broad commuter demand. If the car remains clean, unmodified, and well maintained, it should still attract buyers who want a sporty sedan with standard all-wheel drive.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX safe?

The WRX does not come standard with any of the latest safety features.

It earns a 6/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru’s EyeSight system includes adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, but it is available only on the Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking are available only on the Limited. Every trim does come standard with a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.

A key caveat is that the manual transmission cannot be paired with the latest safety tech, so safety-minded shoppers may want to prioritize the CVT-equipped Premium or Limited.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru WRX 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 72.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.15% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It balances sharp handling with standard all-wheel drive and sedan practicality.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,906, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,476 average.
• It emphasizes everyday usability with standard all-wheel drive and a manual transmission.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,602, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,476 average.
• It brings a sharper, more polished update with improved powertrain, suspension, and technology.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price and performance, the 2021 is the sweet spot. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the lower-cost path into the same basic formula.

How does the 2021 Subaru WRX compare to the 2021 Honda Civic Type R?

The WRX is the far more affordable choice, both new and used, and it also has much broader inventory. The Civic Type R is positioned as the pricier, rarer performance option, while the WRX gives you a lower-cost route to all-wheel-drive performance sedan ownership.

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