How much does the 2021 Subaru WRX cost?

Prices have softened 2.57% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 878 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable amount of inventory to compare. If you find a listing below $22,220.58, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru WRX earns a 4.67/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Performance and Cost effectiveness.

It stands out as a sedan that prioritizes sharp cornering, brisk acceleration, and everyday usability, with standard all-wheel drive as a core advantage. The trade-offs are clear: the cabin is low-grade, the back seat is cramped, and the technology is dated.

Cons: poor fuel economy and an outdated technology experience are the biggest compromises, and the stiff ride can make daily commuting less relaxed than in some rivals.

For you, that means the WRX makes the most sense if you want driving engagement first and comfort second. With 30.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX reliable?

Owners rate it 4.67/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The WRX’s appeal is built around standard all-wheel drive and a performance-focused setup that is meant to deliver year-round traction and engaging driving. Its expert evaluation also points to a balanced engine layout and a chassis tuned for precision, which supports the sense that it is engineered for durability in spirited use.

The performance notes also suggest the car is happiest when you keep the engine in its powerband, so long-term ownership is less about luxury-car ease and more about accepting a sporty, mechanical character. For used buyers, the main risk is not a lack of appeal but the possibility that hard use and maintenance neglect could matter more than they would on a softer commuter sedan.

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

At 73.5% 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 the car has been modified or driven hard. Focus on signs of wear that match the WRX’s sporty mission, including the clutch, brakes, tires, and suspension. Because the model trades refinement for engagement, condition matters more than it might on a typical compact sedan.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base WRX comes with 17-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, manual seats, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims add features such as 18-inch wheels, fog lights, heated seats, pushbutton start, a larger screen, leather upholstery, power adjustment, and adaptive LED headlights.
• Powertrain: The WRX uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. You can get 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 only on 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.
• Infotainment: The base car gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offer a 7-inch screen. Both support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and both are described as easy to use despite dated graphics.
• Fuel efficiency: Fuel economy is modest either way, with the manual delivering 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, and the CVT returning 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. Premium fuel is recommended.

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 trim: This is the most stripped-down version, so you miss out on the upgraded wheels, heated seats, larger screen, and the safety-tech availability that comes with higher trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Premium is the best value if you want the biggest step up from the base car, because it adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, heated seats, pushbutton start, auto on/off headlights, and a larger infotainment screen.
• Premium/top trim: The Limited is the most complete version, adding leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive LED headlights, and access to more driver-assistance features.
• Off-road trim: Not applicable here.

The safety-package note is simple: EyeSight is only available on Premium and Limited trims with the CVT, so manual-transmission shoppers give up that feature set.

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 with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 878 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.57% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,220.58, 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 $23,289 sits slightly below last year's $23,902.

That softer pricing suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy more carefully now but may also limit short-term upside if you plan to resell soon. For a future seller, the key is that the WRX still has a defined enthusiast audience, so well-kept examples should remain easier to move than ordinary commuter sedans. Condition and documentation will matter a lot, especially because buyers in this segment tend to be selective.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.67/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX safe?

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 Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. That means manual-transmission shoppers miss out on the model’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. Every trim does include a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.

The main safety caveat for you is that the most useful active-safety features are not broadly standard, so you should pay close attention to trim and transmission when comparing used listings.

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:

• 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.57% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines standard all-wheel drive with a powerful engine and a sedan body that still works for everyday use.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,857, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,289 average.
• It blends practical daily usability with a manual transmission option and standard all-wheel drive.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $26,338, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,289 average.
• It sharpens the formula with updated powertrain, suspension, and technology.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest balance of price, performance, and availability, the 2021 is the sensible target. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is worth a look; if you want the newer update and can spend more, the 2022 is the upgrade path.

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