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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  Love it - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Ken - March 13 - 6:06 am

  I have had the car for three months and like it better than when I bought it.

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  All the bells and whistles - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By Jason Kellner - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Coming from an AWD Impreza, I thought the handling was good. My 03 Legacy GT far surpasses it. Because it sticks to the road like glue, I can keep up with Porsches and BMWs easily on mountain roads and fly right by clumsy SUVs. I test drove one with an automatic, and the complaints about power with this trans are warranted. I got a 5-speed and the sluggishness issues were resolved. Im averaging 28 MPG in mixed driving. Whats best is the 03 and 04 GTs have every option imagineable -- In-dash CD changer, heated leather seats w/side airbags, heated mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, fog lights, 16-inch wheels, moonroof, etc. Very hard to find a 5-speed.

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  Best Car Ever, so far - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By iluvcar - March 5 - 9:38 am

  It may be a little early to write a review. Ive owned the car since 120,xxx, it has 150,000 now. This car is solid. Ive had no major mechanical issues. With some weight reduction and iridium spark plugs, this car can easily get 22 city/ 28 hwy mpg. I bought it in May 2013 for $2,400.

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  fast, fun, and a winter ride - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Sean Glazar - February 19 - 2:43 am

  I bought my Subie for the AWD system because i live in Pittsburgh and winter driving can be tough sometimes. Thanks Subaru for a great all around ride that drives great in the snow; so far an 8 inch storm hit the area and I drove everywhere a slip here and there but never got close to stopping - always going forward.

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  No Nonsense Performance & Practicality - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By jcgolfer - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is exactly what I had hoped it would be. It is primarily a practical car with enough flair to make it fun and pleasurable to own and drive. The GT version handles well enough to have some sporting fun while the all-wheel drive allows you to drive relatively aggressively in the snow and ice. It is essentially a 12 month, 4-season GT car.

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  2nd Subie - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Jason - February 11 - 1:20 am

  My wife and I went to Detroit Auto Show to pick a new "fun" car. Had 14 on the list and as we continued to circle the show and whittle our choices down, we decided to look at Subaru (Wasnt on original list). Why didnt we look at it the first couple trips around? I heard the new body style was polarizing, but I fell into the bucket of "love it". I guess I just couldnt part with the AWD and was completely satisfied with the 2.5 in my 06 Outback. My wife stated it best: "The Legacy is a perfect blend of sport and luxury for us." If you are in the market for a car, at least put this on your list to test drive. I recommend Limited if you like gadgets.

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  Stealth hotrod - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Snowstorm - February 5 - 11:56 pm

  I traded a VW Passat V6 for this car and it beats the Passat in almost every way: handling, acceleration, traction, braking, comfort and standard equipment. Build quality and materials are equal to the VW -- and thats saying a lot because the VW is a great car! The Legacy feels glued to the road unlike any sedan or wagon Ive driven with the exception of a BMW 3-series. In fact, a friend who own a Porsche Boxster was comparing (favorably) the Legacys handling to his car after I let him take a spin. When he let me take a reciprocal drive in the Boxster, I understood.

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  Great all-around car - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Jim - February 2 - 8:53 pm

  I recently purchased a 2016 Legacy 2.5i Limited with the moonroof/nav/eyesight package and this is a great all-around car for the money. I got black with the ivory interior and its a very sharp looking car. It has an incredibly smooth and quiet ride and it really feels like a car that would cost thousands more. It doesnt even feel like a Subaru! Ive owned some older ones going back to 1999 and theyve come a long way! So far Im enjoying the comfy roomy interior which is well appointed. The materials have a soft and luxurious feel which is nice. The "high tech" features can be a bit much but many things in the world have become more complicated so thats just the way it is these days. The Eyesight system works well and it applied the brakes for me probably preventing an accident. I looked down for a sec then all of a sudden the car was stopping by itself. Pretty amazing feature. Overall this is a great car for the money.

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  My 2nd Subaru. - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By M.Koewalski - January 29 - 5:44 pm

  To test drive both engines to confirm if the 4 cylinder has enough passing power. I traded in a 2007 Rav4 with the V6 (it had generous torque/horsepower), and from various reviews-I felt the 4 cyl wouldnt cut it for me. This engine with the cvt has enough hp, but I think the cvt affects torque output. Ive only had this 3.6R 5 days and have put 100 miles (mostly city) on it, I need to take it on a trip to get a better feel for: the handling, drivers seat comfort/support, the sound system, and how well the hvac functions. My 1st Suburu was an 87 wagon, a nice solid car but much has changed since that car. Some coworkers whom I told about this car were knowlegable and impressed. Actually I have a friend who was extremely knowlegible about the Legacy and its features but deceided to purchase a new Prius instead. I live in the Pacific Northwest and the awd and the safety features got my attention, the 3.6 sealed the deal for me.

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  Couldnt be more pleased - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By TJ - January 16 - 1:00 pm

  I used the Guaranteed Trade Program and swapped my 04 Forester 2.5X for a 07 2.5i Legacy Special Edition wagon. I loved the Forester dearly, but the Legacy is on another level -- crisper, tighter handling with a much smoother and more refined ride. And its also considerably peppier than the Forester, which I wasnt expecting. I buy Subarus for their safety features, for the AWD, and for the reliability. Anything beyond that is gravy, and this Legacy pours it on. Its a very striking, very comfortable, very functional vehicle. An enormous moonroof, comfortable seats with nice upholstery; simple, uncluttered instrumentation -- all in all, it feels a lot more expensive than it actually was.