Used 2023 Subaru WRX for Sale near North Carolina

How much does the 2023 Subaru WRX cost?

Prices have softened 3.70% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,235 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Subaru WRX a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Subaru WRX earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.7/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Safety.

It stands out as a sporty compact sedan with a strong enthusiast identity, and Subaru’s all-wheel-drive heritage is a major part of its appeal. The car’s rally-inspired roots also help explain why it has long been a favorite among drivers who want something more focused than a typical commuter car.

The trade-offs are clear: its technology can be unintuitive, and it is considered poor value for money. It also offers less cargo space than rivals, so you should weigh the driving character against everyday practicality.

Good and great deals account for 34.5% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Subaru WRX reliable?

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

The WRX is presented as a well-established model with a familiar performance-first identity, and Subaru’s all-wheel-drive setup adds to its everyday usability. Its performance character is supported by a turbocharged engine and a manual transmission option, while the available CVT is described as smooth and predictable in normal driving.

Subaru also includes fairly standard warranty coverage, which helps with ownership confidence. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a performance-oriented car can be more sensitive to hard use, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Subaru WRX?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 84.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a performance sedan can see harder-than-average use. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, and focus on signs of wear in the drivetrain, brakes, tires, and interior condition.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models get 17-inch wheels, while other WRX trims get 18-inch wheels, and the GT adds Recaro Performance Design front seats, Ultrasuede upholstery, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
• Powertrain: The WRX uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine with 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and it comes with standard all-wheel drive plus a manual transmission or optional CVT.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight safety system is available only with the CVT and adds adaptive cruise control, automated lane-centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights are also available.
• Infotainment: Base models get dual 7-inch touchscreens, while Premium and higher trims get an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
• Fuel efficiency: The manual transmission is rated at 22 mpg combined, 19 mpg city, and 26 mpg highway, while the CVT is rated at 21 mpg combined, 19 mpg city, and 25 mpg highway.

Which 2023 Subaru WRX trim should I buy?

The 2023 Subaru WRX is offered in 4 trim levels: base, Premium, Limited, and GT.

Here's the short version:

• base: This is the value play if you want the WRX’s core formula at the lowest price, including the manual transmission and the model’s standard performance character.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the larger 11.6-inch touchscreen and keeps the WRX’s everyday usability intact.
• Limited: Choose this if you want more comfort and convenience, plus the available safety and lighting upgrades that help round out the package.
• GT: This is the most feature-rich version, with Recaro Performance Design front seats, Ultrasuede trim, electronically controlled dampers, and drive mode select, but it is the priciest choice.

Only the CVT-equipped trims get Subaru’s EyeSight safety system.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Subaru WRX?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,235 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.70% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 84.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,195, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Subaru WRX's resale value?

The current average of $27,467 sits slightly below last year's $28,523.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim, since the market is already pricing in some depreciation.

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

Is the 2023 Subaru WRX safe?

The 2023 Subaru WRX earns top "Good" scores in all crash tests completed so far from IIHS, and it earns a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, including five-star ratings in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru’s EyeSight safety system is the key driver-assistance suite, and it includes adaptive cruise control, automated lane-centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. It is only available with the CVT, so manual-transmission shoppers miss out on that package.

The standard headlights are rated Acceptable, while the headlights available on Limited and GT models are rated Good. That makes the higher trims more appealing if lighting performance matters to you.

Should I buy a 2023 Subaru WRX or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 34.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 84.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.70% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2023 model carries over the fourth-generation WRX with no changes, so you get the established formula without waiting for a redesign.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,405, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $27,467 average.
• It delivers a performance-first update with improved powertrain, suspension, and technology.

The bottom line: If you want the current-year WRX and are shopping for a used one, the 2023 is a sensible target because pricing has eased and inventory is healthy. If your priority is saving money, the 2022 is the better value path, especially if you want the same basic performance-first character for less.

How does the 2023 Subaru WRX compare to the 2023 Honda Civic Type R?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Subaru WRX:

• Pros: Stylish design, Great handling, Manual transmission available.
• Cons: Unintuitive technology, Poor value for money, Less cargo space than rivals.

2023 Honda Civic Type R:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Powerful engine, Comfortable.
• Cons: All-wheel drive not available, Sluggish touchscreen response.

Our experts score the 2023 Subaru WRX 7.7/10 and the 2023 Honda Civic Type R 8.2/10. The WRX gives you all-wheel drive and a manual option, while the Civic Type R counters with more power and a higher expert score. If you want a more distinctive all-weather performance sedan, the WRX makes sense; if you want the stronger performance benchmark, the Type R is the more compelling pick.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.