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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  Lemon Legacy GT Wagon? - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By jorgeorge - October 31 - 1:46 am

  Recently purchased a new 2005 Legacy GT Wagon mid March of 06, guess it was a holdover from last year. This car has been back to the dealership 5 times, originally for check engine light as well as the cruise light. I also experienced shaking and loss of power each time. June 30, 2006, it went back AGAIN for same problem. I also didnt have the vehicle for approximately 15 days because of a rattle behind the dashboard which turned out to be some kind of cracked foam right behind the firewall. I have as of today sent my certified Lemon Law letter to the company hoping to get them to take back this UNSAFE vehicle. Not sure if I would get a Subaru again. To be continued.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Quite disappointed - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I love the looks and practicality of my Subaru Legacy wagon. However, I have already had to have the transmission replaced ($5,000 item at 49,000 miles), head gasgets, brakes, heat shield, the moon roof leaked into the interior light. Thank goodness it is has all been on warrenty, but I bought it thinking that it would be a work horse for many years. The dealer has worked hard to make me happy--but I really dont trust the car but dont want to incur another car payment now that this is just about paid off.

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  172K Test Drive - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By RobInIllinois - August 3 - 8:00 am

  I owned a 94 Legacy that I loved and ran to 200 K miles. This has been a disappointment. The Tranny failed at about 70 K and is failing again. Every winter the engine smells like gas as the metal fuel rail contracts. The head gasket is seeping oil.

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  Junkie - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By wew - June 24 - 4:20 am

  I had this subie for 9 months. It blow one head gasket. So I replaced both of them, after 700 miles it cracked a head. The head lights keep burning out. Wind noise is very loud. Its just a junkie car. Rust is coming in on the rear doors buy the seams. I wash and take care of my cars. But after 5 years and 85,000 miles its just junkie. I will never buy a sub again.

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  Engineering Problem - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Phillip - December 21 - 10:00 am

  After reading multiple consumer reviews complaining about drifting and steering wheel vibration in the 2010 Subaru, I waited for the 2011 model. I asked the dealer about it and they said the new model corrected the problem. I drove it about 15 miles as a test and it seemed fine, but above sixty miles per hour on the way home the steering wheel started to shake visibly. Subaru appears to have the same engineering problem with the 2011 model. The steering dynamics are also really bad. I will upgrade with Continental tires in a few days and have someone else check the front end. If that doesnt fix it, I will become a major critic of this car company. Very disappointed.

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  Manual Sedan - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By mjc440 - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This Legacy has a great ride, almost perfect steering, and is practically unstoppable in the snow. The negatives are inferior interior materials (compared to Honda and Toyata) and an engine with not a lot of power (although it performs well for a four cylinder). My biggest complaint is that the 5 speed manual is geared too low for normal highway driving. The engine screams at 3,000 RPMS at 70 MPH (and everyone blows past you). It really needs another gear. Also the manual transmission is sometimes hard to put into first gear. Shifting feels like youre shifting through gravel. Cloth seats are also uncomfortable.

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  DON"T BY A SUBARU - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By SUBARU HATER - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This car handles amazingly in all types of weather. The AWD is amazing and the styling is unbelievable. Nobody can believe this car is a Subaru. BUT!! The reliability is horrible. I have gone through 2 head gaskets, numerous repairs, and now at 107,000 miles i need a new transmission. After paying $10,000 for maintnence since day one, we have kept the car running but something always goes wrong. DON"T BUY A LEGACY!

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  Bad in snow - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By royboy - July 25 - 2:33 pm

  I am extremely disappointed with the incredibly cheap, flimsy plastic bumpers/fenders/fairings on my brand new Legacy. I live in Idaho where we have ice and snow on the ground all winter. My neighborhood remains icy and there are piles of snow at most of the corners. We have no through streets, lots of twists and turns. I always drive slowly in winter because of that. Yesterday I slid a little taking a left turn and the right front bumper hit a snowpile left by the city. I thought it was nothing to worry about but OMG the damage it did to that flimsy bumper was just way out of proportion to the impact. The Potenzas are awful on ice, and AWD/stability control did nothing to prevent the slide

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  My Purchase Was a Mistake - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By MarkYiu - June 9 - 2:00 am

  For the price I paid for this vehicle, I feel that I taken a loss.

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  Buy cheap, get cheap - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By cafe_guzzi - June 3 - 2:00 am

  First, the pros: Can be fun to drive! Wind it out 3rd, and youre still within the national speed limit. On wet roads, driving hard, you can feel all four wheels working-- great! Now, the cons: Electric-- Aweful; build quality-- more squeaks and rattles after 41K than my F250 Diesel had after 100K miles; Door panels have fallen off, switches break; and I dont know how the headlights pass DOT. Ill run this one into the ground, and doubt Ill get another... not even a WRX.