Subaru WRX Limited vs. Subaru Impreza Limited
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru WRX Limited and Subaru Impreza Limited 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 Subaru WRX Limited and the Subaru Impreza Limited.
In comparing the Subaru WRX Limited's and the Subaru Impreza Limited's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX Limited has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Subaru Impreza Limited has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Subaru WRX Limited's and the Subaru Impreza Limited's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Impreza Limited is a better car than the Subaru WRX Limited.
Pricing: A used 2021 Subaru WRX Limited ranges from $25,901 to $32,995 while a used 2021 Subaru Impreza Limited is priced between $19,689 to $26,744.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru WRX Limited loses 31.1 percent of its value and the Subaru Impreza Limited loses 29.7 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Impreza Limited retains 1.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru WRX Limited.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru WRX is 8.5 out of 10 while the Subaru Impreza's quality rating is 8.9 out of 10. This results in the Subaru WRX being ranked 18 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Subaru Impreza being ranked 6 out of 43.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru WRX is 7.0 out of 10. For the Subaru Impreza the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Impreza an advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru WRX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru WRX Limited’s base engine makes 268 horsepower, and the Subaru Impreza Limited base engine makes 152 horsepower. The Limited is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 429 miles. The Limited is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 475 miles. This gives the Subaru Impreza Limited the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru WRX Limited. The Limited uses premium unleaded, and the Limited uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Subaru Impreza Limited has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Subaru WRX Limited has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru WRX Limited and the Subaru Impreza Limited have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$32,095
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,295 - $28,695
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$25,895
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,295 - $28,695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$29,182
Price Range:
$25,901 - $32,995
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$21,394
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$13,751 - $30,996
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
25
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
42,543
# Good or Great Deals:
8
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$23,705
Price Range:
$19,689 - $26,744
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$21,394
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$13,751 - $30,996
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
8
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
28,690
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Subaru Impreza Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.9 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru WRX Limited
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.1 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Impreza Limited
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.1 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
2.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.3 - 16.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.3 - 16.8
Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
12 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
19 out of / 24Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Subaru Impreza Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 43Ranking
3 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 43Ranking
6 out of / 24Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
15 out of / 43Ranking
27 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan, Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Other Subaru WRX Trim Levels
Base, Premium, STI, STI Limited
Other Subaru Impreza Trim Levels
Base, Premium, Sport
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):
0.080 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
152 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
145 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 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):
20 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
318 / 429 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 36 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 475 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
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
Paddle Shifters:
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
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
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
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
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
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.2 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:
93.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
12.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3371 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:
3131 lbs
Width:
79.9 inches
Height:
57.3 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/50R17
