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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  What a Find - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Landshark - October 28 - 3:46 pm

  I am not your "typical" import buyer. I only owned one other import make in my life and that was a Honda Civic I purchased new. That was built in Ohio, and this car is built in Indiana - an excellent selling point for me. My son crashed my Saturn Aura so I was put into the used car market, and my wife and I settled on looking for a good buy on a Subaru since we did not really want to have 2 trucks or SUVs. This little machine is great. I dont live where I can do the things I really like very often(boat, fish, swim, jet ski) but what we do have is some excellent twisty, hilly roads that those in coastal locals often dont have. With the Subaru,I get to have fun on my way home from work! Get1!

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  2008 Legacy 70000 miles later - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Ed - October 21 - 6:56 am

  This is my third subaru. I had two imprezas before this one and I got to say I am pretty happy with the car. I live in Florida and I rarely ever see anyone else with the car. Never had a problem with it, just changed the oil and brakes, thats it.

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  2000 Subaru GT Sedan 5spd Manual - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By WD Baseley - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Dummies put UGLY advertising plate on car despite SPECIFIC instructions not to! Otherwise nice, good service. GT worth extra $ to me because of sunroof, rear LSD, power extras, upgraded sound sys. Extra bonus is better accel. due to lower final drive ratio. Gas mileage is fine (22 to 28) and car is very relaxed cruising at speed. Confidence-inspiring handling, fun to toss around in the twisties, safe as a house, good pep but could stand another 20-30 hp. Orig. equip. tires so-so, better rubber makes big difference. Also winter tires if you see snow; they turned my car from "gets me home in any conditions" to "whoo-hoo its snowing lets play!"

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  Perfect If Youre Looking For An AWD Sedan - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By Bridget - October 13 - 5:11 am

  I just purchased a 2013 Legacy with only 14k miles. I previously owned a 2008 Ford Escape. I wanted a car with better gas mileage that also had AWD. I was originally looking at Crosstreks, however, they are hard to come by pre-owned and the Legacy was a great deal. This is a great car if AWD is a must for you and you dont want to spend a lot of money. I wouldnt recommend the Legacy if you are looking for a real sporty/peppy ride. I dont find it boring but the CVT took me a while to get used to. It feels a little sluggish at times and is awkward in stop and go traffic. Its also pretty noisy. The steering is solid/heavy and you feel glued to the ground. The visibility/mobility is better than any other car I have owned. I can switch lanes very easily on congested highways. Its also super comfortable and roomy. Overall, I like the Legacy as it has everything that is important to me. It has AWD, good gas mileage and was under $20K. I also like it because its different. I didnt want to drive what everyone else out there has. I can see why Legacy has such a loyal following. Its a unique driving experience and that can be good or bad depending on what youre looking for. I made out pretty good and will probably look at Subarus again.

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  A great contender in the mid-sized cat - 2015 Subaru Legacy
  By ecarre - October 6 - 11:25 pm

  I decided to buy this vehicle after test-driving it. I think they have done a great job gearing this car towards a younger audience. My dealership is 5 mn away from home and that was a decision factor too. I read peoples comments (editors included) that the car might seem underpowered, I will tell you this is NOT true. Of course, this is no Corvette or GT-R, but what more do you want? For years, we the consumers have been begging for better fuel efficiency, and when this is achieved, we complain. Great, pretty, comfortable, All-wheel drive, great cabin tech are all great selling points to me. I got the Premium model with eyesight, plus all dimming mirrors, and trunk tray plus wheel locks

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  From Outback to GT - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By giddyap - October 4 - 10:33 am

  Through no fault of its own, a bad rollover accident in my Outback put us into the buyers market again. (lost our Outback, but we walked away) Went looking for another Subie of course! Test drove the 2002 Outback, Forrester and finally the GT. Hands down it was the GT!! With my daily commute of 90 miles (1/3 of the trip on mountain roads) I was glad to switch. The GT handles hair-pin curves and tight situations beautifully. Dont test drive a GT if you dont want to own one.

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  Good, reliable car - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By darthbateman - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for about 3 years and have put around 20,000 miles on it, including two trips from central Florida to Savannah, GA (about 700 miles round trip). Ive enjoyed my time with this car. It has been very reliable, never been in the shop except for a door light issue (which was caused by the dealership). My only real complaint is the interior space. The back seat isnt really made for anyone 6 feet tall or over. Neither is the front seat, for that matter. Im just under 6 feet and I have to keep the seat all the way back. But, if youre looking for a car that will never go wrong, this is it. I average about 18 MPG in the city and about 26 on the highway at less than 70mph.

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  Youd be surprised... - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By vtdriver - September 30 - 10:00 am

  how many trips I had to make to the service department. Issues during the warranty period were numerous. 2 that linger are chatter when engaging the clutch in cold weather, and softness of the brake pedal, which improves if you come of the brake and then get back on it again. The dealer claims that these flaws do not exist. Legacy does a nice job cruising through the Vermont winter. Mileage isnt bad for all wheel drive. Were reliability better, I would gladly recommend it. Unlike my old Loyale, this is no longer a car that can rack up hundreds of thousands of miles without racking up a big maintenance bill.

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  2009 Legacy is Great - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By RB26301 - September 29 - 5:40 pm

  I just got my Legacy last week and its great! It handles extremely well in the snow and even did better then my Jeep Cherokee. The car is sleek, classy and comfortable to drive.

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  Mine - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Judy Edwards - September 28 - 9:05 am

  The car I had before and it had things I liked and didnt get in this one. I had a Mercury Milan, I miss my silence in the car (no noise, or wind sounds) I miss my self locking vehicle that would lock itself upon acceleration. I miss the sound of the trunk/doors closing (very solid sound). This Subaru has a lot of new things as my son said I will need as I age. Thank you son. Getting to learn them hasnt been easy. There are still things I havent figured out yet. My daughter and I went to a Funeral last night and tried the map app on the car and it tried to work, we had to get out the book and start over, easy to operate, no. The feature of the garage door openers on the rear view mirror, great idea. I wouldnt have been able to use it at all if it wasnt for the fact that my opener broke the day I was buying the car and had to replace it. I had it set and works great. I went to set the other side and not so great, what Ive found out through friends, you have to have a newer garage opener for it the work. So I have one that works and one that doesnt. I have yet to get my oil changed and heard from friends how expensive it is, So Im bracing for that surprise. I have a flip cell phone and it wouldnt transfer to the car, but if you add each contact to the car works fine. Ive noticed it is too detracting all the electronics on the dash. Need to be watching the road, so Im ignoring a lot in the car while I drive.