Used 2021 Subaru Impreza for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost?

Prices have softened 2.73% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 613 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru Impreza earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

It fits you well if you want a practical compact car with standard all-wheel drive, a comfortable ride, and both sedan and hatchback body styles. The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials feel cheap, cargo space is limited, and the styling is uninspired.

The market also shows 34.3% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza reliable?

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

The Impreza’s appeal is built around everyday usability, standard all-wheel drive, and low operating costs, which are all traits that tend to matter over the long haul. Its 2.0-liter boxer engine and available CVT are straightforward, and Subaru backs the car with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a neglected example could be less satisfying than the ratings suggest, so condition and maintenance history matter.

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

At 70.6% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage car or one with visible cosmetic wear. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the car’s equipment matches the trim you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models are the simplest, with 16-inch steel wheels and the most basic interior presentation, while Sport models add 18-inch alloy wheels, contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals. Limited models add leather upholstery and LED headlights.
• Powertrain: Every 2021 Impreza uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models use a CVT, while a five-speed manual is available only on the base sedan and hatchback and the Sport hatchback.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite is standard on CVT-equipped models and includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. A rear-seat reminder is also standard, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights are available as options.
• Infotainment: Base and Premium trims get a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth, while higher trims get an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited can be optioned with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: Most sedan models return 32 mpg combined with the CVT and 26 mpg combined with the manual. The hatchback loses 1 mpg in combined driving with the CVT, and Sport models return slightly lower fuel economy in all configurations.

Which 2021 Subaru Impreza trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza is offered in 4 trim levels: base, Premium, Sport, and Limited.

Here's the short version:

• base: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry point and are comfortable with the simplest equipment. It gives you the core Impreza formula, including standard all-wheel drive, and it’s also one of the few trims where you can get the manual transmission.
• Premium: This is the trim to target if you want a better balance of comfort and equipment without jumping too far up the price ladder. It also gains SI-Drive drive modes for 2021, which makes it the most compelling middle-ground choice.
• Sport: This is the best fit if you want the most character in the lineup. It adds sport-specific styling, 18-inch wheels, model-specific suspension tuning, torque vectoring, and manual-transmission availability on the hatchback.
• Limited: This is the most upscale choice, with leather upholstery, LED headlights, and the option for navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. It makes sense if you want the most features and are willing to pay for them.

The safety package is strongest on CVT-equipped models, since that’s where Subaru’s EyeSight suite comes standard.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and deal activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 34.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 613 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.73% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 70.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,164, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru Impreza's resale value?

The current average of $17,665 sits slightly below last year's $18,161.

That decline suggests the market has softened, which can help you buy more affordably now but may also mean future resale gains are limited. If you plan to sell later, the Impreza’s value will likely depend heavily on condition, mileage, and whether it has a clean history.

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 2021 Subaru Impreza safe?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in all crash tests.

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

Subaru’s EyeSight safety tech is standard on CVT-equipped models and includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. A rear-seat reminder is also standard, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights are available as options.

The main caveat is that the Impreza missed out on a Top Safety Pick+ award because its standard headlights received only a Marginal rating. The Limited trim’s available headlights received a Good score.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Impreza 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:

• 34.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.73% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model year adds SI-Drive drive modes to the Premium trim and keeps the lineup straightforward with base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims in both sedan and hatchback body styles.

The bottom line: The 2021 Impreza is a smart pick if you want standard all-wheel drive, a simple trim structure, and a used price that has already softened. If you’re shopping mainly on value, this year makes sense; if you want the newest possible version of the same formula, a nearby model year may be worth comparing, but the 2021 remains the cleaner buy when you find a well-kept example at the right price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.