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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  A Drivers Wagon - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By jan garcia - July 16 - 9:03 pm

  Just got our 2005 GT Ltd. Wagon 10 days ago. I was blown away during the test drive. The engine just pulls and pulls and pulls. Besides the fantastic engine, the interior was the deal clincher for me. I always liked Subarus in the past, but the interiors have never done anything for me before. In the 2005 model, I have to say that Subaru did a fantastic job in refining everything. So far, the car feels solidly built. Doors close with a thud. No signs of rattling anywhere. Handling is great, but the ride suffers a little. Its very much a sports car ride. Lack of navigation option bugged me, because they have it in Japan and in Europe. Not a deal breaker, but it wouldve been nice.

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  Blizzard of Dec 26th - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By gladiator1000 - July 14 - 1:33 pm

  I drove this car 170 miles through the blizzard of Dec 26th, 2010 in Upstate NY. The car performed flawlessly. It never slipped or got squirrly. This is my first Subaru after driving Toyota and Honda for 16 years. I am a believer in the symmetrical AWD and low center of gravity thanks to the boxer engine.

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  Love this car - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Robert Jackson - July 13 - 9:41 pm

  If youre not into street racing and you want a solid, comfortable driving experience you will love the 2016 Legacy 3.6R Limited. I have had mine for three weeks now and have put about 1000 miles on it on interstate highways and mountain roads. I can say that in my 70 years I have never driven a finer vehicle. The boxer six provides plenty of power for my needs. The steering is firm and positive. The interior is very comfortable. The sound system is outstanding. And the electronics are intuitive and easy to use. You can pay more for a midsize sedan but you will not find a better value.

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  Traded Accord for Legacy - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By ITP - July 8 - 2:46 am

  This is an awesome car, very smooth and powerful. Very tight, nice interior, great seats. This car feels more substantial than my 2006 Honda Accord. So far, Im very happy with my choice.

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  Goes Like Stink - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Nick-O - July 4 - 12:10 pm

  This is a nice car, safe, big and heavy, but its fast. The 2.5 turbo is probably one of the top 10 engines out there. If you step on it hard, it takes a second then hold on! Passes anything on the highway and goes anywhere you want it to. Its a subaru so it is reliable. The only issue is now it makes a loud humming noise past 35 mph. Maybe a wheel bearing. The mileage is not good...maybe 15 around town :(But hey, its a big heavy AWD car with 250 hp.

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  Super-Ru - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By rkmebane - July 4 - 12:06 am

  This is a great car. I got it for my wife for her birthday gift and she loves it. The build quality is great. A very underrated Accord alternative. The AWD was the #1 selling feature for me. So far no problems, well one...I havent been able to drive it because my wife wont let me.

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  Disappointed owner - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By disappointed owner - July 2 - 8:26 pm

  Fuel mileage for a 4 cyl. is very poor. Do not like the hesitation from start. Do not like the pulsating in fuel going down hill. Would much rather have my SUV back.

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  Satisfied Subie Owner - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Legacy Owner - July 1 - 5:20 pm

  Purchased for $600 under invoice. Have just over 1.5K miles. Not quite as quick as previous car - 2002 Maxima SE 6spd, but more comfortable- great cruiser. Very comfortable, steering and road feel tremendous. HK sound system more than adequate.

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  Impressed - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By DaBoz - June 30 - 8:40 am

  Love this car! This is the finest AWD vehicle for the money you can purchase. While it does not have a lot of the bells and whistles of the higher priced competitors,check the price!.Honestly, I dont feel like I compromised anything in buying a less expensive car.The reality is that Subaru makes an awesome and reliable car with good performance and safety for a very reasonable price. This is my second Subaru and I will definitely buy another in the future. My wife drives a 2010 Acura TL and she always steals my keys. She likes the ride better and it gets awesome mileage with the CVT transmission, 27 MPG around town and 32 MPG on the highway. AWD at a reasonable price! Buy one!

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  2005 Legacy Wagon - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Badwater - June 27 - 6:20 pm

  First Subaru and boy I am impressed. In 1.5 years of ownership I have had zero problems. In combination driving average about 28 mpg. On a trip depending on how fast we drive we can get around 32 mpg. The car can be a little cramped on a log trip especially if you have more than one passenger. Rear seat room is tight. I am 6-1" and wish that there was a little more leg room for the driver. In summary, great car.