Overview & Reviews

Introduced more than two decades ago, the Subaru Legacy is the brand's longest-running nameplate in the United States. Thanks to its all-wheel drive, the Legacy has often been selected by consumers as a winter-beating alternative in the midsize sedan or wagon segment.

Perhaps as a consequence of the Legacy's off-beat nature, it's never been as popular in terms of sales as mainstream picks like the Accord and Camry. In recent years, though, Subaru has attempted to expand the Legacy's appeal by making it roomier and more fuel-efficient. The newest generation, in particular, is a fully competitive rival. As a used vehicle choice, we still highly recommend the Legacy (particularly if you want all-wheel drive), though certain model years are going to be more appealing than others, so a bit of extra research is recommended.

Current Subaru Legacy
The newest Subaru Legacy sedan has been fully redesigned for 2015. Representing the car's sixth generation, the new Legacy shares a similar look and feel to the previous version, but changes under the skin have resulted in more passenger and cargo room. The cabin itself features nicer materials and updated electronics.

The Legacy has a choice of two engines. The base 2.5-liter horizontally opposed ("boxer") four-cylinder produces 175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The available six-cylinder, which is also a boxer design, generates 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive.

Trim levels include 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited. Highlights for the base 2.5i models include air-conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, a rearview camera, a touchscreen display, Bluetooth and a four-speaker sound system. The 2.5i Premium adds dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver seat, heated front seats and an upgraded audio system that includes a larger touchscreen. Going with the 2.5i or 3.6 R Limited (which has the six-cylinder engine) gets you leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, heated rear seats and a 12-speaker premium sound system. Major options include a sunroof, a navigation system and added safety features.

Seating is pretty roomy inside the Legacy, and outward visibility is excellent. The cabin is trimmed in high-quality materials, and the touchscreen that's bundled with the navigation system can be controlled like a tablet. On the move, the Subaru Legacy's standard all-wheel-drive system gives it plenty of capability in bad weather. Both the four- and the six-cylinder engines are quiet and provide class-acceptable acceleration. We also like how the Legacy easily soaks up bumps and ruts, yet maintains its composure when you're driving through turns. All in all, the Legacy is a smart choice for a midsize family sedan.

Used Subaru Legacy Models
Previous to the current model was the fifth-generation Legacy sedan sold from 2010-'14. Compared to the car it replaced, this Legacy was bigger both inside and out and was more visually distinctive because of its blockier styling.

Originally, Subaru offered this Legacy in 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5GT Premium, 2.5GT Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited trim levels. All came standard with all-wheel drive.

The 2.5i models had a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that produced 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. You could get it with a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. The 2.5GT boasted a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four that cranked out 265 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, but only the manual transmission was offered. The 3.6R models came with a 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that generated 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic was the only available transmission.

Standard equipment included air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a four-speaker stereo. Moving up to the Premium and Limited trim levels would get you added features like power front seats, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, Bluetooth and a premium sound system. Exclusive to Limited models was an optional navigation system with a rearview camera.

The most significant changes for this fifth-generation Legacy occurred for 2013 when Subaru gave the car a sleeker look, made the four-cylinder engine slightly more powerful (173 hp) and fuel-efficient, revised the suspension tuning and CVT, and added a newly available frontal collision warning system (Subaru's "EyeSight" system). The 2.5GT model and its turbocharged engine were also discontinued that year.

Though it had some appealing qualities, this generation's Legacy didn't appeal to us as much as previous ones did. It was certainly roomier and more fuel efficient, but it largely lacked the snappy, fun-to-drive personality established by the fourth generation. In reviews we praised the car for its roomy seating, good outward visibility and standard all-wheel drive. Downsides included behind-the-times audio and navigation systems, below-average fuel economy with the six-cylinder and a ride quality that could seem overly firm at times.

The fourth-generation Legacy was produced from 2005-'09. It was available as both a sedan and a wagon until 2008, when the wagon was discontinued. Although the base car was a bit of a stripper, the other trims were well-equipped and made the Legacy as luxurious and comfortable as some midsize cars wearing luxury badges.

When this Legacy was introduced for '05, it was available as a sedan and wagon, and there were two basic trim levels: 2.5i and 2.5GT. The former had a 168-hp 2.5-liter boxer-4, while the 2.5GT received a 250-hp turbocharged version of the same engine. These models came with either a five-speed manual or an automatic transmission -- four speeds in the base 2.5i, five in the 2.5GT. As time went on, a few additional models joined the lineup, notably the sedan-only 2.5GT spec.B and 3.0 R. The former was a better-handling version of the 2.5GT, while the latter was a luxurious Legacy that came with a 245-hp 3.0-liter flat-6 and a five-speed automatic transmission. As with all Subaru vehicles, AWD was standard.

In road tests, our editors found the fourth-generation Subaru Legacy to be both sporty and comfortable -- a challenging combination for manufacturers to master. The base 2.5-liter engine provided adequate power, but the turbocharged GT model was the one to have for enthusiastic driving. However, the GT performed better with the manual transmission, as the five-speed automatic seemed ill-suited to the turbo motor's power delivery.

This Legacy was a bit tight in the backseat relative to its midsize rivals, but it compensated with comfortable front seats and a sleek BMW-like dashboard design. Additionally, the wagon model brilliantly combined impressive driving dynamics with all-star utility. Although this Legacy vintage is getting a bit old now, we still highly recommend it if you're looking for a used midsize sedan or wagon with all-season versatility and an extra dose of driving flair.

Notable changes to the fourth-generation Legacy began in 2006, when the sedan-only GT spec.B trim was added. For 2007, the GT spec.B received a six-speed manual in place of the original five-speed unit, and the 2.5-liter engine's horsepower rating was revised to 243 (from 250). For 2008 Subaru discontinued the wagon model, and the sedan-only 3.0 R model debuted, bringing six-cylinder power to the Legacy lineup. For 2009 stability control became standard and every Legacy except the base 2.5i received an upgraded nine-speaker audio system.

The previous, third-generation Subaru Legacy was more of a rugged all-weather performer than the current model. Sold from 2000-'04, it launched with three primary trim levels: base L, sporty GT and premium GT Limited. A Brighton value trim was also included in the 2000 lineup for the wagon, but was removed the following year.

Although it was a bit lacking in refinement, the previous Legacy was well stocked with standard features, including AWD. All trims came with a smooth and responsive 165-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard and a four-speed automatic was optional. In 2003, Subaru moved the L trim upscale and added the L Special Edition trim, which was renamed the 35th Anniversary Edition a year later.

Value-minded buyers looking for an all-weather vehicle might take a look at the second-generation Subaru Legacy. Sold from 1995-'99, it was best known for spawning the Outback wagon, a rugged SUV alternative that came with standard AWD. The model's one weak link was its anemic 135-hp 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, which many people felt was a downgrade from the 160-hp turbocharged 2.2-liter four-cylinder that was available in the first generation's Sport Turbo trim (sold from 1991-'94).

User Reviews:

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  Good enough - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By ckc - April 28 - 10:16 am

  This car replaced my 01 Audi S4 Avant. I didnt miss it anymore. This is a very good drivers car. Great utility. Good stereo with power sub. Shifting could be smoother, but the Short shifter is great. Several service related problems: low steering and gear oil noted within the first month of driving, malfunction cruise control that dealer cant fix until another dealer changed the O2 sensor. (I complained to manufacturer). Battery leak led to corrosion of the bracket; dealer replaced the battery.

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  1st Subaru - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Todd - April 4 - 7:36 pm

  This is my first Subaru. Downsized from a GMC Yukon. My objective was to get better gas mileage and still have a capable vehicle to handle the NE Ohio winters, while still having a fun experience that wont break the bank. So far so good, we have a family of 5 that fits well (booster and car seats). The styling and performance creates a fun commute no mention making daily sales calls and being on the road all day! Leather, homelink, bluetooth and the HK stereo are all awesome.

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  A Good Car Made Better - 2018 Subaru Legacy
  By Spoolie - March 12 - 1:21 pm

  Took a 2018 Legacy Premium lease late August. Aside from a small software problem Subbru has promised a fix for soon, this is a much, much better car than the 2104, and quite a bit better than the 2011 we liked more than the 2014. Fixes: 1) much less tiring steering feel, 2) much quietier, especially the drivetrain & transmission 3) seating more comfortable, 4) ride/suspension vastly improved, and 5) a bunch of small but important interior feature/comfort changes. The most dramatic improvement was the highway mileage; our last trip at 74 mph on a pretty hilly NYS Thruway was 39+ mpg for the 250 miles - pretty good for a pretty good sized AWD car. That is about 33% better than the about 30 mpg for the 2014. City mileage is just a little better. To be redundant, Subaru made some very good and important changes.

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  Solid sedan - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By foggnm - February 10 - 6:53 am

  I sold a new 2012 Mazda3 which I never really fell in love with and purchased this car used with very low mileage as basic transportation. I drive about 5K per year. I wanted something I could transport my bikes and canoe on the roof. Nicely built sedan. Good handling. Not powerful at high speeds, but peppy at low and mid range. Decent trunk space that opens into back seats. Comfortable driver seat. After a 1000 miles of driving no issues, solid feel, and happy with my purchase. Mileage has been 24 city, 29 highway.

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  Reliable but uncomfortable - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By wvfrontier - January 24 - 5:40 pm

  I drive quite a distance to work everyday and wanted a reliable economical car. I got both those things in my Subaru legacy but what I didnt get was any comfort. The seats in the legacy are the most uncomfortable hard seats I have ever set in. You cannot stand to sit in them for more then 15 min. which makes going for long drives in this car unbearable.

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  Nice Car - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Danlo - January 2 - 7:56 am

  I bought my Legacy used with 7000 miles. After 2 months of driving, this car is trouble free. Havent driving on snow yet. This is my first Subaru & I am very happy with this car. Gas mileage is around 25 combined & 34 on highway. Only complains are loud engine noise when cold starts & lack of storage.

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  The Pillow - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By Howard Larkin - December 16 - 7:46 pm

  My wife traded in her 2005 Volvo S40 for this 2017 Subaru Legacy 2.5i mostly because the Volvo was getting too expensive to keep repairing -- Volvo parts are ridiculously expensive and the thing is so complicated they had to take the grill off to recharge the air conditioner. So the nice roomy layout under the Legacys hood is a welcome switch, or so my mechanic tells me. You can actually see and reach the spark plugs without disassembling half the engine. This is actually our third Subaru, the previous two being a 1996 Outback and a 2012 Forester which we still have. The Legacy doesnt handle quite as well as the Volvo but they are such different cars it is not really fair to compare them. However, the Legacy does feel very planted on cloverleaf freeway entry ramps and it is easy to change and hold a line. I give credit to the symmetrical all-wheel-drive, which sounds like advertising but it really does eliminate torque steer. Physics, I guess.The Legacy is much better at absorbing the massive potholes and bumps all over the streets in Chicago and suburbs, which destroyed the Volvos front end twice in 100,000 miles. The Subaru is at least a match for the Volvo in the rain and I am sure it will be much better in the snow as well. The Volvo was pretty good in snow for a front-wheel-drive car, but our other two Subarus were and are practically snowmobiles. This is a big reason why my wife chose the Subaru. based on previous experience with continuously variable transmissions, I was a little leery of this feature. However, the Legacys CVT is very responsive and the car moves right out when you need it to. On my wifes 35 mile commute of about half highway and half streets the Legacy is getting about 29 mpg, which is about five or six better than the Volvo got on the same trip. We havent taken any long road trips yet, but the dash says it hits 35 mpg on the freeway right after a fill up, and so far the dash mpg report has been pretty accurate, within about two percent of miles divided by gallons when we fill it up. The Legacy is much bigger inside than the Volvo, with a very comfortable back seat, though the Volvo had better seats. The lumbar cushion on the base Legacy are not adjustable, and tend to push me out a little farther than ideal on the bottom cushion, though this isnt a hug problem. Much, much better visibility out of the Legacy and the back up camera helps avoid backing into the garage wall. The Legacy is very solid and quiet, much more so than our 2012 Forester. Based on the excellent durability and reliability of our other two Subarus -- no repairs needed at all in 55,000 miles on the 2012 Forester, not even brake pads -- I am hoping this one wont need much work over the next 10 years or so.

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  subarus rock - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By christyanna - December 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Subaru, my second Legacy. I bought it used (2000 in 2002). It took me awhile to find a used Legacy as people usually keep them for several years. It looks great, handles great, and is great getting up the hills to my home in the winter, as it snows alot where I live.

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  Ticking When Turning the Engine Off - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Dolly - December 2 - 12:36 pm

  I bought a 2008 used Subaru Legacy with 20,000 miles on it in March 2009. The only complaint I have is that after I drive it and then turn the engine off, it makes a ticking sound for approx 20 secs as though the engine is cooling down. I never heard this sound in other cars Ive owned, so its new to me. Im wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and if its common. The dealer said its the engine cooling, but Im leery of it. The engine sounds more like a cheap car and is not as quiet when started or when driving. Ive owned a Honda and Dodge, Intrepid and they seemed more sturdier than the Subaru Legacy.

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  Traded after 20k Miles - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By yit - November 6 - 5:50 am

  I loved my Legacy. Bought it used with 70k miles and traded it with 90k, after the windshield wiper motors went out, the back door handle broke, the wheel bearings need replaced, replaced both oxygen sensors, and the catalytic converter (went out around 88k miles, 8k miles after the emissions warranty went out of effect.) It began to be a money pit. Performance was good, the engine has some power between 3k-4k RPM but is hindered by the outdated 4 speed automatic. AWD was a life saver in the snow. Drove it though 11" of snow and didnt get stuck once. MPG was better than EPA estimates, 95% highway driving returned a consistent 28-29 MPG. If it was more reliable, I would still have it!