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2020 Subaru WRX vs. 2021 Subaru WRX

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2020 Subaru WRX and 2021 Subaru WRX contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2020 Subaru WRX and the 2021 Subaru WRX.

When comparing the 2020 Subaru WRX's and the 2021 Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Subaru WRX has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for used cars. The 2020 Subaru WRX and 2021 Subaru WRX have the same fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2020 Subaru WRX's and the 2021 Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Subaru WRX is a better car than the 2021 Subaru WRX.

Pricing: A used 2020 Subaru WRX ranges from $19,095 to $36,060 while a used 2021 Subaru WRX is priced between $20,951 to $39,054.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2020 Subaru WRX and the 2021 Subaru WRX both lose 35.3 percent of their value.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru WRX is 8.5 out of 10. Subaru WRX is ranked 7 out of 37 Best Small Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Subaru WRX is 7.6 out of 10.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2020 Subaru WRX and the 2021 Subaru WRX makes 268 horsepower. Both the WRX and the WRX are rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 429 miles. Both models use premium unleaded.

Safety Ratings: The Subaru WRX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.

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Model & Pricing
2020 Subaru WRX
2021 Subaru WRX

2020 Subaru WRX
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2020 Subaru WRX for Sale

2021 Subaru WRX
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2021 Subaru WRX for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

27495

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

20870

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

14995 - 28595

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

27495

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

21197

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

15295 - 28695

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

26559

Price Range:

19095 - 36060

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

18391

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

11443 - 26559

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

223

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

54194

# Good or Great Deals:

47

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

28783

Price Range:

20951 - 39054

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

19841

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

11819 - 28783

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

204

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

48810

# Good or Great Deals:

48

Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.5 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.8 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10

Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.5 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.8 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2020 Subaru WRX

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

6.6

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

6.8

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

3.8 - 13.1

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.059

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Subaru WRX

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

7.6

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

7.8

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

4.8 - 13.1

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.059



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

4.011515277597256

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

3.3

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

1.0 - 13.5

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

4.5002519682929405

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.7

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

1.1 - 12.4

Subaru WRX Rankings

Most Comfortable Small Cars

2 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

4 / 37

Best Family Small Cars

5 / 37

Safest Small Cars

5 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

5 / 37

Best Small Cars for Teens

5 / 6

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

6 / 17

Best Small Cars

7 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

9 / 37

Most Reliable Small Cars

11 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

11 / 37

Best Small Cars for the Money

14 / 22

Most Affordable Small Cars

20 / 22

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

22 / 37

Subaru WRX Rankings

Most Comfortable Small Cars

2 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

4 / 37

Best Family Small Cars

5 / 37

Safest Small Cars

5 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

5 / 37

Best Small Cars for Teens

5 / 6

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

6 / 17

Best Small Cars

7 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

9 / 37

Most Reliable Small Cars

11 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

11 / 37

Best Small Cars for the Money

14 / 22

Most Affordable Small Cars

20 / 22

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

22 / 37

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

2020 Subaru WRX Trim Levels

Base, Limited, Premium, Series.White, STI, STI Limited, STI Series.White

2021 Subaru WRX Trim Levels

Base, Limited, Premium, STI, STI Limited

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

268 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque:

258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.081 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

268 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque:

258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.081 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Flat/Horizontally Opposed

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


21 / 27 / 23

Range (city/hwy):

334 / 429 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Flat/Horizontally Opposed

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


20 / 27 / 23

Range (city/hwy):

318 / 429 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Roof Rack:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Roof Rack:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Forward Collision Warning:

Available

Lane Departure Warning:

Available

Lane Keeping Assist:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Forward Collision Warning:

Available

Lane Departure Warning:

Available

Lane Keeping Assist:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

43.3 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.6 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

54.2 inches

Cargo Space:

12 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

96.6 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

43.3 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.6 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

54.2 inches

Cargo Space:

12 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

96.6 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3294 lbs

Width:

78.9 inches

Height:

58.1 inches

Length:

180.9 inches

Wheelbase:

104.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

4.9 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3294 lbs

Width:

78.9 inches

Height:

58.1 inches

Length:

180.9 inches

Wheelbase:

104.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

4.9 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

17.0 x 8.0 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

235/45R17

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

17.0 x 8.0 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

235/45R17

Exterior Colors

Black

Crystal Black Silica

Blue

Lapis Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl

Gray

Magnetite Gray Metallic

Red

Pure Red

Silver

Ice Silver Metallic

White

Crystal White Pearl

Exterior Colors

Black

Crystal Black Silica

Blue

Lapis Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl

Gray

Magnetite Gray Metallic

Red

Pure Red

Silver

Ice Silver Metallic

White

Crystal White Pearl

Interior Colors

Black

Carbon Black Checkered

Interior Colors

Black

Carbon Black Checkered

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