Used 2023 Subaru WRX for Sale nearPalm Desert, CA

How much does the 2023 Subaru WRX cost?

Prices have softened 3.46% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,264 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used WRX options 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.

The WRX is a rally-inspired sport compact that keeps its enthusiast focus while still working as a daily driver. Subaru’s own review notes point to stylish design, great handling, and the availability of a manual transmission, which makes it especially appealing if you want an engaging all-wheel-drive sedan.

The trade-offs are real: the cabin tech can feel unintuitive, value is not its strongest suit, and cargo space trails rivals. Even so, the WRX’s mix of character and capability helps it stand out if you care more about driving enjoyment than maximum practicality.

Good and great deals account for 34.1% of listings, which suggests you can still find worthwhile pricing if you shop carefully.

Is the 2023 Subaru WRX reliable?

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

The WRX’s current formula leans on a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine, standard all-wheel drive, and a manual transmission option, all of which support its reputation for durable enthusiast appeal. Subaru also positions it as a well-rounded performance sedan rather than a fragile specialty car, and the expert notes describe it as quiet and comfortable enough for daily use.

Its performance character is competent and predictable, with smooth acceleration and confidence on twisty roads. Subaru also recommends 93-octane fuel, so your long-term ownership costs can rise if you drive it hard or rack up a lot of miles.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been modified or driven hard. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, brake wear, and signs that the car has been used as an enthusiast vehicle rather than a commuter.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models get 17-inch wheels and a simpler cabin setup, while higher trims add 18-inch wheels, a larger touchscreen, and more upscale interior materials. The GT stands apart with Recaro Performance Design front seats, Ultrasuede upholstery, and a more premium feel.
• Powertrain: The WRX uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine with 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. You can get a standard six-speed manual or an optional CVT, and the manual is the better fit if you want the most engaging drive.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite 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 use 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 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the CVT is rated at 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 experience at the lowest entry point. You still get the core performance formula, standard all-wheel drive, a manual transmission, and the same enthusiast character that defines the car.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the larger 11.6-inch touchscreen and keeps the WRX’s core strengths intact. If you want a better cabin experience without jumping too far in price, this is the trim to target.
• Limited: Choose this if you want more comfort and convenience, plus the available safety and lighting upgrades that make the car easier to live with. It’s the step up for buyers who want a more polished daily driver.
• GT: This is the most premium and most expensive version, with Recaro Performance Design front seats, Ultrasuede upholstery, electronically controlled dampers, and drive mode select. It suits you best if you want the most equipment and are willing to pay for it.

EyeSight is available only with the CVT, so if advanced driver assistance matters to you, that trim-and-transmission pairing is important to keep in mind.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,264 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.46% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 87.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,198, 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 $27,623 sits slightly below last year's $28,614.

That decline suggests the WRX has softened a bit in the used market, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper short-term resale gains if you plan to sell soon. Even so, the model’s enthusiast appeal and all-wheel-drive performance identity should help it stay relevant with shoppers who want a sporty sedan.

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 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 notable for using stereo cameras mounted behind the windshield, and with the CVT it 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.

One caveat is that the standard headlights were rated "Acceptable," while the headlights available on Limited and GT models got the "Good" rating.

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:

• 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.46% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Subaru says there are no changes for 2023, so you’re getting the current WRX formula without waiting for a redesign.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,496, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $27,623 average.
• It offers a performance-and-all-weather-practicality mix that remains hard to match at its price.

The bottom line: If you want the current WRX formula and are shopping the used market with a decent amount of inventory, the 2023 is the cleaner choice. If your priority is saving money and you’re comfortable giving up some of the current-year pricing stability, the 2022 is the smarter value play.

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 transmission, while the Civic Type R counters with more power and a higher expert score. If you want the more affordable, all-weather-friendly option, the WRX makes sense; if you want the stronger performance benchmark and can live without AWD, the Type R is the more compelling enthusiast pick.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.