Used 2021 Subaru WRX for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Subaru WRX cost?

Prices have softened 4.27% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 827 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru WRX earns a 4.7/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Performance and Cost effectiveness.

It fits you best if you want a sedan that prioritizes sharp cornering and brisk acceleration over everyday refinement. The WRX’s standard all-wheel drive broadens its usefulness beyond dry-road fun, and its performance-first setup gives it a lively feel that stands out in the compact-sedan space.

The trade-offs are clear: poor fuel economy, a cramped back seat, and outdated technology. If you can live with those compromises, the WRX delivers the kind of driving engagement that makes it appealing as a practical performance car.

32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some 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 comes from its durable everyday formula: standard all-wheel drive, a performance-focused chassis, and a straightforward sedan layout that makes it useful year-round. Its expert assessment also points to a car that is fun to drive and mechanically focused rather than overly complicated.

The performance setup is centered on a turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive hardware, which supports the WRX’s reputation for dependable all-weather traction and consistent driving character. The cost side is less reassuring, though, because the car’s fuel economy is poor and its cabin is not especially polished.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is living with a car that may be mechanically appealing but less forgiving in daily comfort and running costs.

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

At 67.6% 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 modifications or a harder driving life. Focus on overall condition, maintenance records, and signs of wear that could reflect the WRX’s performance-oriented use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base WRX gives you 17-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, manual seats, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth, satellite radio, USB ports, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, heated seats, pushbutton start, auto on/off headlights, and a larger 7-inch screen. The Limited adds leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat, LED fog lights, and adaptive steering-responsive LED headlights, making it the best-value trim if you want the most complete everyday package.
• 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, but it is available on the Premium and Limited 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 car gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims get a 7-inch screen. Both support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the system is 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 entry point if you want the WRX’s core performance and all-wheel-drive character at the lowest price. You get the essentials, but you also give up the larger screen, heated seats, and the more upscale cabin touches found higher up.
• Premium: This is the trim that adds the most useful everyday upgrades, including heated seats, pushbutton start, fog lights, and the larger infotainment screen. It is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it improves comfort and convenience without pushing the WRX into the highest price tier.
• Limited: This is the trim to choose if you want the most complete WRX experience, with leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, LED fog lights, and adaptive headlights. It also unlocks the most available safety and convenience equipment, though some of those features still depend on the CVT or an option package.

The safety package is limited on lower trims, and the most advanced driver-assistance features are concentrated on the Limited.

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 carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 827 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.27% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,214, 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 $22,214 sits slightly below last year's $23,205.

That decline suggests the WRX has softened a bit in the used market, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, that also means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car has been maintained.

Because the WRX appeals to buyers who want performance and all-wheel-drive practicality in one package, clean examples should continue to draw interest. A well-kept car with strong equipment and a good history should be easier to move than one with visible wear or accident history.

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 2021 Subaru 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. That means manual-transmission shoppers miss out on the brand’s main driver-assistance suite.

Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking are available only on the Limited. The main caveat is that the most useful safety tech is not broadly standard, so you need to shop carefully if safety equipment matters to you.

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:

• 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.27% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It balances sharp handling, brisk acceleration, and standard all-wheel drive in a practical sedan package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,741, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,214 average.
• It emphasizes everyday usability while keeping the WRX’s performance-first identity.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,241, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,214 average.
• It sharpens the WRX with updates to the powertrain, suspension, and technology.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the WRX formula at a softer price than the newer model year. If you are more price-sensitive, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want the newer update and can spend more, the 2022 is the upgrade path.

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

The WRX is the far more affordable option, both new and used, and it also has much broader inventory. The Civic Type R commands a much higher used price, so if you want performance on a tighter budget, the WRX is the easier car to shop.

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