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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  Great Car - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By jakeylake - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Overall a solid car, both inside and out. The exterior finish of car is outstanding, while the interior is above average. The simplicity of using the controls in the car suggests a well designed layout. The lumbar seat for the driver is wonderful for long trips. The AWD was one of the main selling points for this car. The AWD is rock solid, and cars like the VW passat, Audi A4 and Volvo charge $1000.00s when comparing with Legacy GT.

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  Very happy three months in - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By lucasbear - June 22 - 7:06 am

  I got this Subaru almost on a whim since I wanted to dump my lemon of a Chevrolet Impala. So far I have been very happy with the car. For a 2.5 engine it has plenty of pep to climb hills and the interior is extremely comfortable. The stereo system rocks,and the controls are easy to reach. A little noisier than I anticipated, but the car feels like it is riding on rails no matter what the weather. Fun to drive, safe, and well-built. I would be happier if it got better gas mileage but so far am averaging about 26 MPH in a mix of city and highway, and I will trade that for the ride and security. The trunk could be a little bit bigger for vacation, but otherwise I am extremely happy.

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  Another excellent Subaru - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By IV - June 19 - 5:16 am

  Purchased after several years of careful research. I have a 2006 Subaru Impreza. The two cars feel quite different in spite of only 200 lb more. The Impreza (non-turbo) feels very light and agile. The Legacy is much more solid and "mature". After 20 years of driving a stick shift I cannot immediately adjust from one to another. The stick shift is the way to go and still one needs to work the gears a little more on the Legacy. Sound isolation is better. On a recent trip I got 35 mpg highway at 65 mph with a loaded car with 3 adults and luggage and 33 mpg measured at the pump at 75 mpg. City is 23 - 25 mpg. Outstanding for AWD and any midsize. Extremely stable in snowstorms. Very happy with it

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  Get this car - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By wesue4u - June 18 - 1:10 pm

  Owned high performance Audis (S6, S4), BMW (M3) and even a Mercedes or two but love getting into and driving this car as much if not more. The car is tight, quick and comfortable and looks very sporty with its 18 inch wheels.

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  2000 Legacy GT Limited - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By J. Meade - June 18 - 12:03 pm

  Quite a surprise for me to first drive this Subaru. I had a couple of older, less expensive Subys in the past. This one truly is a sports sedan that ranks with the Mazda 6, Jetta, Altima, and Accord. With the AWD feature youre one notch above these cars in bad weather. This car is very smooth without being mushy. Quiet and comfortable interior.

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  Chiropractor should be included! - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By JR - June 16 - 9:36 am

  I have put about 23,000 miles on this vehicle to date. Initially it seemed like a great car for the money. First and foremost, this is the most uncomfortable car I have ever driven. You will not realize this until you drive over 2 hours. I first thought it was me until I had others drive it and agree. I have since bought additional cushions which only slightly help the issue. Temp only adjusts hot or cold. They have replaced this unit multiple times and still not right. Automatic lights flicker on/off when going under an overpass in the middle of the day. Again could not fix! Clunky transmission that will not find a gear and act as if the car is in neutral. Scary in traffic!

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  Not quite on top, but FAR from the bottom - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By PCtechGUY2003 - June 15 - 6:56 am

  Good all around car, but small things are lacking, or are just annoying. Dont like overdrive gear in it... it kicks into overdrive at 35 mph... which is the average speed I go (I live in the country... the physical speed limit of the roads here is 35 mph). When you let off the gas to coast, and then give it a little gas, the car jerks a little as it jumps back into the underdrive gears. Very annoying, but nothing actually wrong. Only does this at the 35 mph mark. Gas mileage isnt what I would like: 16-18 mpg. Would also like a few more horses under the hood. Dont get me wrong... this car is MUCH better than the 96 chevy lumina it replaced.

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  Ups and Downs - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By jt51 - June 11 - 10:46 am

  Fail in love with car at first sight. Fun to drive, handles very well. Love the sound of the engine.

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  Legacy Limited - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Jack - June 6 - 2:30 pm

  Great car. I researched the heck out of this and this car has exceeded my expectations. Im 63" and the the interior (esp. headroom) is amazing. 4,000 miles and not a squeak and the Limited interior and sound system result in a wonderful travel experience. Im avg. right at 30.0 in overall mpg. May not be the quickest car, but more than adequate for me.

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  my Legacy - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By okcutim - June 5 - 5:13 am

  Almost great car that needs some work. No need to say more, I more than like it but less than love it. A little more attention to a few issues and this car will deserve every penny spent on it.