Used Subaru WRX for Sale nearSanta Barbara, CA

How much does the Subaru WRX cost in today's market?

Used Subaru WRX prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Subaru WRX's current nationwide average price is $23,542, and its lowest point over the past year was $22,637. Recently, prices have come down for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Subaru WRX a good car?

Yes — the Subaru WRX is a strong pick if you want an enthusiast-focused sedan with broad owner appeal. The all-generations owner rating is 4.82/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners consistently praise the WRX for its thrilling performance, sporty handling, and all-wheel-drive confidence, and many also value the manual transmission and everyday usability. Across the model years, the car’s turbocharged character and engaging driving experience come through as the core of its appeal.

Expert reviews rate the 2016 and 2020 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs that show up in recent expert reviews are outdated technology, poor fuel economy, and interior quality or comfort concerns, especially in the more basic cabins.

31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Subaru WRX models reliable?

Owners consistently praise the WRX for its performance, handling, and all-wheel-drive confidence, and expert reviews reinforce its engaging driving character and everyday usability. Across the model years, it stands out as a car that delivers a memorable driving experience while still serving as a practical sedan.

• Owners rate the Subaru WRX between 4.33 and 5.0 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, long-term ownership risk is most tied to how the car was driven and maintained, so a careful history check and a thorough pre-purchase inspection are especially important.

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

Across all model years, at 72% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

Older model years carry meaningfully higher accident rates, so always verify the vehicle history report on pre-2022 models.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: Subaru's EyeSight safety system
• Infotainment: Subaru Starlink infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus a pair of 7-inch touchscreens on base models or an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen on WRX Premium and higher trim levels
• Fuel efficiency: 22 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway) with the manual transmission and 21 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway) with the CVT

Which Subaru WRX trim should I buy?

The 2023 Subaru WRX offers these trims:

• WRX: The entry trim gives you the WRX’s core enthusiast formula, including the turbocharged performance character and standard all-wheel drive, and it is the best-value choice for shoppers who want the model’s essential driving experience.
• Premium: This trim adds the 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen and a more upscale equipment mix, making it a smart step up if you want a better daily-driver setup.
• Limited: This trim adds more comfort and convenience content, along with available safety equipment and upgraded headlights, for buyers who want a more feature-rich WRX.
• GT: This trim adds Recaro Performance Design front seats, Ultrasuede upholstery, electronically controlled dampers, and drive mode select, making it the most specialized choice in the lineup.

What Subaru WRX do most buyers choose?

The Subaru WRX years with the most listings are 2023, 2022, and 2024.

Higher-volume years tend to be the easiest to shop because you get more listings to compare and a better chance of finding the right color, mileage, and equipment mix. They also tend to be the years most shoppers cross-shop first when looking for value and availability.

What is the Subaru WRX's resale value?

Most WRX model years are down year over year, which is good news if you’re shopping used because it creates more room for value. The declines are generally larger on older years, while the newest examples are falling more slowly. That pattern gives you a wider spread of price points to choose from without having to chase a single model year.

The 2023, 2015, and 2021 model years have held their value best, with the smallest year-over-year price changes.

Is the Subaru WRX safe?

• 2023: 9/10
• 2022: 5/10
• 2021: 6/10
• 2020: 9/10
• 2016: 9/10

The 2023 WRX gets Subaru's EyeSight safety system.

For the safest used buy, the 2016, 2020 and 2023 models all post the highest confirmed score of 9/10.

Should I buy a used Subaru WRX now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2024 model is at −3.86% versus a year ago, and the 2023 model is at −1.42%.
• Deal availability: The 2024 model has 34.3% good and great deals, and the 2023 model has 32.7%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2023 model has the most listings at a current average price of $28,467. The Subaru WRX offers a distinctive rally-bred character that blends performance, all-wheel-drive confidence, and everyday usability.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The WRX is an in-betweener in its segment. With 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque generated by its 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine, the Subaru develops more horsepower (albeit less torque) than a Volkswagen Golf GTI, but less than a Golf R.
• Tech: The WRX's Subaru Starlink infotainment system includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and two display configurations.
• Safety: The WRX gets Subaru's EyeSight safety system, which is notable for using stereo cameras mounted in a less-vulnerable position behind the windshield in place of the bumper- or grille-mounted radar units most other automakers use as sensors for their driver aids.
• Starting price: Pricing starts at $31,625 (including the $1,020 destination charge) for the base model with the manual transmission.

If you're buying used today, the 2023 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for the next model year's inventory to build up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.