Used 2021 Subaru WRX for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Subaru WRX cost?

Prices have softened 3.66% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 851 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX a good car?

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

The WRX is aimed at you if you want a sports sedan that prioritizes sharp cornering and brisk acceleration over everyday polish. Its standard all-wheel drive and powerful engine make it feel more capable than many affordable performance cars, while the sedan body still gives you usable space for four or more passengers.

The trade-offs are clear: the ride is stiff, the back seat is cramped, and the cabin quality and technology trail more polished rivals. If you value driving engagement more than refinement, those compromises may be acceptable.

Only 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market still rewards careful shopping.

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 a straightforward formula: standard all-wheel drive, a turbocharged engine, and a sedan layout that gives you everyday usability alongside performance. That combination suggests a car designed to deliver consistent driving enjoyment rather than luxury-car polish.

Its performance hardware is a strength, but the same enthusiast focus also means you should expect a firmer ride and a cabin that feels less refined than many compact sedans. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a hard-driven example may show wear more quickly than a more ordinary commuter car.

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

At 71.6% 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 thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been modified or driven hard. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, tire wear, and whether the car’s equipment matches the trim level you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base WRX gives you 17-inch alloy 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.
• 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. 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 car gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims can use a 7-inch screen. Both support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the layout is straightforward even if the graphics feel dated.
• Fuel efficiency: The WRX is not especially efficient, with the manual returning 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined and the CVT returning 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

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 experience at the lowest entry price. You still get the turbocharged engine, standard all-wheel drive, and the core infotainment setup with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but you give up the extra comfort and convenience features found higher up the range.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds heated seats, fog lights, pushbutton start, and the larger 7-inch screen. It also opens the door to the CVT and the EyeSight safety suite, which makes it the smarter pick if you want more everyday usability.
• Limited: Choose this if you want the most comfort and the most available safety equipment. It adds leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, adaptive headlights, and access to additional driver-assistance features, but it is the most expensive route.

The safety-package limitation is important: EyeSight is only available with the CVT on the Premium and 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 expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 851 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.66% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,221, 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 $22,614 sits slightly below last year's $23,473.

That decline suggests the market has eased, which can help you buy more confidently now but may also mean slower appreciation if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the key takeaway is that the WRX’s value is still supported by its enthusiast appeal, but it is not immune to broader price softening.

Because the model continues to attract shoppers who want a sporty sedan with standard all-wheel drive, demand should remain steadier than for many ordinary compact cars. Still, condition and mileage will matter a lot when it comes 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 includes adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, but it is only available on the Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. That means if you choose the manual transmission, you give up access to 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 for used buyers is that the safest-equipped versions are not the simplest or cheapest ones to find.

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:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.66% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It balances sharp cornering, brisk acceleration, and sedan practicality.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,067, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,614 average.
• It emphasizes standard all-wheel drive and everyday usability with a more engaging character.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,776, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,614 average.
• It brings a sharpened update with improved powertrain, suspension, and technology.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price and enthusiast appeal, the 2021 is the sensible target. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the cheaper route into the same basic formula, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for the newer update.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.