DecodedCars2021 Subaru WRX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan, Sti 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 268–310 hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 180.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,369–3,402 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 310 hp, versus about 169 hp for similar 2021 models.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 16% below the 2021 compact car average of 27.5 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Subaru WRX is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 181 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,402 lb (4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 16% worse than the 2021 compact car average of 27.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 WRX — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 WRX →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Ota, Gunma
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 WRX configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 180.7 in | 70.1 in | 57.9 in | 104.3 in | 60.2 / 60.6 in | 3,402 lb | 60/40 |
| Sti 4dr Sedan | 180.7 in | 70.1 in | 57.9 in | 104.3 in | 60.2 / 60.6 in | 3,369 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRX | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -16% | $3,550 | 390 |
| WRX | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 21 | -24% | $3,900 | 432 |
| WRX | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -35% | $4,550 | 483 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.1% |
Similar 2021 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Subaru WRX (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Toyota Corolla | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda 3 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 33 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
Recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights › Switch · Jul 21, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V522000 · 59,934 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Risk
- Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
Not every 2021 Subaru WRX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Subaru WRX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 6 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Visibility/Wiper — 2 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Subaru WRX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other WRX years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 WRX | 22 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 WRX | 22 | 183.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 3 |
| 2024 WRX | 22 | 183.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 14 |
| 2023 WRX | 22 | 183.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 9 |
| 2022 WRX | 22 | 183.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 25 |
| 2020 WRX | 23 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 18 |
| 2019 WRX | 23 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 31 |
| 2018 WRX | 23 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 45 |
| 2017 WRX | 23 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 53 |
| 2016 WRX | 23 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 34 |
| 2015 WRX | 24 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 51 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →