Used 2021 Subaru WRX for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

How much does the 2021 Subaru WRX cost?

Prices have softened 3.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 845 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

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 sports sedan that prioritizes driving enjoyment, with sharp cornering, brisk acceleration, and standard all-wheel drive. That makes it especially appealing if you want a sedan body with more engagement than a typical commuter car.

The trade-offs are clear: the ride is stiff, the cabin quality is low-grade, and the technology feels dated. It works best if you value fun and traction more than refinement.

Only 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market still rewards careful comparison.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX reliable?

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

The WRX’s appeal comes from a straightforward formula: a turbocharged engine, standard all-wheel drive, and a sedan layout that gives you everyday usability alongside performance. The expert assessment also points to a balanced engine layout and torque-vectoring hardware that help the car feel composed when you push it.

On the cost side, the manual version returns the better fuel economy, and premium fuel is recommended. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the car’s performance focus comes with higher running costs and less comfort than many rivals.

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

At 73.3% 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’re considering a car with performance modifications or a higher-mileage example. Pay close attention to signs of hard use, since the WRX’s enthusiast appeal can mean more wear than you’d expect from 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, 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 7-inch screen. The Limited adds leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat, LED fog lights, and adaptive steering-responsive LED headlights.
• Powertrain: You get a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard, and a CVT is available. 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: EyeSight is available on the Premium and Limited trims, but only with the CVT, and it includes adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning. 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 both use Subaru’s Starlink system.
• 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, Limited.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value play if you want the WRX’s core formula at the lowest entry point. You still get the turbocharged engine, standard all-wheel drive, and the essential infotainment and connectivity features, but you give up the comfort and convenience upgrades found higher up the range.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds heated seats, pushbutton start, fog lights, and the larger touchscreen without pushing you all the way to the top. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to focus on.
• Limited: This is the right pick if you want the most comfort and the most available safety and convenience equipment. It adds leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, adaptive headlights, and access to the most advanced driver-assistance options.

The safety suite is limited by trim and transmission: EyeSight is only available on Premium and Limited with the CVT, while the Limited gets the extra available driver-assistance features.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough price softness to create opportunities.

• Deal availability: 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 845 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.3% 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 $22,760 sits slightly below last year's $23,573.

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 is to buy well and keep the car in strong condition, because performance cars tend to reward clean history and careful ownership.

The WRX’s strong enthusiast appeal helps support demand, especially when the car is well maintained and unmodified. If you keep mileage reasonable and preserve condition, you should be in a better position when it’s time to resell.

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?

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 is available on the Premium and Limited trims, but only with the CVT, and it includes adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking are available only on the Limited.

A key caveat is that the manual transmission cannot be paired with the latest safety tech, so safety-minded shoppers may need to choose the CVT or move up to the Limited for more available assistance features.

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:

• 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.45% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It delivers sharp cornering and brisk acceleration in a practical sedan body.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,333, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,760 average.
• It blends standard all-wheel drive with a manual transmission for engaging daily driving.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,801, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,760 average.
• It brings a sharpened update with improved powertrain, suspension, and technology.

The bottom line: if you want the best balance of price and performance, the 2021 is the primary target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want the newer update and can spend more, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.