2021 Subaru Legacy
| MSRP | $24,732 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $22,663 |
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2021 Subaru Legacy Review
- Standard all-wheel drive for excellent wet-weather traction
- Comfortable ride and seats
- Standard active driver-assist features
- Turbocharged engine provides robust power
- Tepid acceleration from base engine
- Overreliance on touchscreen for basic functions
- Useless voice controls
- Intrusive engine stop-start system
- Standard adaptive headlights turn in the direction you're steering
- Seat belt reminder and rear-seat reminder added to all trims
- Part of the seventh Legacy generation introduced for 2020
The 2021 Subaru Legacy is a midsize sedan that entered its seventh generation last year with a full redesign. The Legacy sits above the compact Impreza in Subaru's lineup and is closely related to the Outback crossover SUV. Like most Subarus, all Legacys come standard with all-wheel drive and an extensive list of standard driver aids and safety features. Most rivals don't even offer all-wheel drive, which gives the Legacy a leg up with drivers in wet or snowy climates. The Legacy remains largely unchanged for 2021, with just a few more standard features than last year's model.
Some automakers have dropped sedans from their lineups as customer tastes have gravitated to SUVs, but the Legacy still has plenty of competition. The Edmunds Top Rated sedan for 2021 is the Kia K5, an all-new replacement for the Kia Optima. The Honda Accord, the Mazda 6 and the Hyundai Sonata — the K5's sibling — are also highly regarded. All are worth considering if you're in the market for a family sedan.
Our verdict | |
The 2020 Subaru Legacy is a thoughtfully executed, comfortable and thoroughly competent midsize sedan. It's terrifically utilitarian, with plenty of room inside, good storage space, a large trunk and standard all-wheel drive. However, the non-turbocharged Legacy variants lack a distinctive personality and fail to get the blood pumping. | |
How does the Legacy drive? | |
The well-tuned transmission (a CVT) feels responsive, but flooring the pedal reveals there's not a ton of power on tap. With a 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds, the Legacy is slightly slower than similarly powered rivals, especially those with turbocharged base engines (such as the Volkswagen Passat). The Legacy shows an aptitude for handling performance, gripping the road a bit better than other midsize sedans, even though body roll feels a bit excessive in tight turns. The steering is nicely weighted, and the Subaru responds naturally to the driver's inputs. There's noticeable nosedive during braking, so slowing smoothly can be challenging. Smoothness isn't a hallmark of the auto stop-start system either, and the car bucks on restart with the force of a low-speed rear collision. | |
How comfortable is the Legacy? | |
Comfort takes a central role in the Legacy's story, as you'd expect of a midsize sedan. Our Sport test vehicle offered simple but effective front-seat adjustments. Cushioning is supportive without feeling stiff, and the bolsters keep you in place in turns. Even the back seats are sculpted for passenger comfort and feel much better than a flat bench. The ride is cushy without feeling floaty, but wind and road noise is more pronounced than in rivals. Engine noise, though, is more subdued than in many other cars equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The dual-zone climate system works well, but there is a bit of a learning curve to decipher some settings. The three-stage seat heaters work well and transition from mildly warm to overcooked. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Legacy's cabin is warm and inviting with plenty of room throughout for tall adults. The rear is surprisingly spacious, with ample toe room under the front seats and an abundance of headroom. Adjustments are basic, but it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. Getting in and out of the Legacy is a cinch, and the large windows afford excellent outward visibility. The only misstep is the overreliance on the central touchscreen. There are few physical controls, and most functions are hidden in touchscreen menus. The lack of a dedicated engine stop-start disable button is particularly egregious considering how intrusive the system is. The infotainment system is also slow to respond to user inputs. On the bright side, most menus are easy to navigate. | |
How’s the tech? | |
There's no doubt the Legacy is loaded with tech, but the hits come as often as the misses. The navigation interface is attractive, but searching for points of interest is effectively useless. There are plenty of USB ports (four on all but the base Legacy), and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard. In our testing, the voice control system was largely ineffectual and Apple CarPlay, as well as the entire infotainment system, suffered from frequent crashes. We like that the EyeSight suite of driving aids is standard, but some features are unintuitive. Forward collision warning is overly sensitive and will pump the brakes and sound alerts as you come gradually to a stop. Adaptive cruise is too quick to react to changing traffic situations. | |
How’s the storage? | |
At 15.1 cubic feet, the Legacy's trunk isn't huge by class standards, trailing the average by about 0.5 cube. That said, the cargo area is deep and tall, making it perfect for storing bulky items. Contributing to its practicality are rear seats that fold down either by pulling a trunk-mounted lever or pushing a button on the seat itself. The only flaw is the middle seat belt, which remains attached to the rear shelf, so it's in the way even with the seat folded flat. The cabin offers many places to store small items, including a two-tier underarm console, decently sized door pockets, a small bin in front of the shifter, and a shelf in front of the passenger. Car seat anchors are easy to access behind small Velcro flaps. | |
How economical is the Legacy? | |
The Legacy is rated at 30 mpg combined (27 city/35 highway), and we had no issue hitting 30 mpg on our 117-mile evaluation loop. The Legacy is slightly thirstier than most front-wheel-drive rivals, but it's nearly identical to the AWD Nissan Altima. It's also considerably more efficient than turbocharged (but faster) competitors such as the Buick Regal Sportback and Volkswagen Arteon. | |
Is the Legacy a good value? | |
The Subaru Legacy is slightly more expensive than comparably equipped rivals, but the gap can largely be explained by its all-wheel-drive powertrain. The same goes for its estimated fuel economy. The Legacy is a bit thirstier than front-wheel-drive competitors, but it's roughly neck and neck with the all-wheel-drive Nissan Altima. The interior design is clean, and the materials mix is definitely above average. Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage and roadside assistance are average for the class, though some other midsize sedans offer more generous coverage and free scheduled maintenance. | |
Wildcard | |
Most midsize sedans have finally adopted more expressive designs over the last few years, but the Legacy still looks relatively anonymous inside and out. The Legacy handles a bit better than rivals, somewhat bolstered by its all-wheel-drive powertrain. Still, the uninspiring engine never really makes you look forward to driving it. Those looking for a more exciting experience should consider the turbocharged XT or, better yet, a Kia Stinger. | |
Which Legacy does Edmunds recommend?
Most people will be well served by the midlevel Legacy Premium. You get a handful of good options such as heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control for not much more than the base model. If your budget can handle it, the turbocharged engine in the XT models is far superior to the standard motor.
Subaru Legacy models
The 2021 Subaru Legacy comes in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT and Touring XT. Non-XT models are powered by a 2.5-liter flat-four engine (182 horsepower, 176 lb-ft of torque). XT models get a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft on tap. Every Legacy uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Save as much as $3,141 with Edmunds
2021 Subaru Legacy pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Base
2.5L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$22,663
3 for sale in 20147
Premium
2.5L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$25,994
5 for sale in 20147
Sport
2.5L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$28,158
3 for sale in 20147
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Subaru Legacy.
Trending topics in reviews
- driving experience
- engine
- road noise
- visibility
- fuel efficiency
- brakes
Most helpful consumer reviews
4/5 stars, Not for short people
Ed,
Limited XT 4dr Sedan AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
A fine vehicle. I liked almost everything about it. I am short, I could reach the gas a brake pedals, but the side view mirror was at an inconvenient location from there. I had to find another make.
5/5 stars, Luxurious mid-sized sedan that's great to drive!
Bryan,
Limited XT 4dr Sedan AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
So not only is the Legacy one of if not THE safest mid-sized sedan out there, it's great fun to drive in XT trim. The handling is confidence-inspiring and the engine is very powerful. The suspension and AWD work to carve the corners and the engine pulls you out of the curves and down the straights in short order. On top of that, this car has ALL the bells and whistles to give you a nice relaxing drive down the highway if that's the agenda for the day. I love it!
5/5 stars, Get the XT!
Tom Jones,
Touring XT 4dr Sedan AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
I got the Touring XT. Incredibly smooth and quiet ride. The turbo engine provides PLENTY of power. The car drives like a sports sedan. Puts BMW’s to shame!
5/5 stars, Awesome and luxurious
joe momma,
Touring XT 4dr Sedan AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Unbelievable v
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Legacy safety features:
- EyeSight System
- Includes a variety of driver aids, such as lane departure intervention and emergency automatic braking for an imminent front collision.
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Sends power to any of the four wheels with the most grip. Helps with acceleration when the roads are wet or snowy.
- Blind-Spot Detection
- Warns you if you're about to move into an occupied lane. It's paired with rear cross-traffic alert.
Subaru Legacy vs. the competition
2021 Subaru Legacy
2021 Kia K5
Subaru Legacy vs. Kia K5
It's no secret we're fond of the Kia K5 — we just named it the Edmunds Top Rated Sedan for 2021. The K5 is comfortable and quiet, and it packs in a slew of features for less than you'll pay for a similarly equipped Legacy. We also like the GT trim's turbocharged engine. The Legacy does come with standard all-wheel drive, an option on the Kia.
Subaru Legacy vs. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has long been a favorite at Edmunds. It's a few years old at this point, but the Accord remains one of the best cars on the road today. It features a pair of peppy yet fuel-efficient engines and a spacious interior that feels nicer than some competitors' cabins. It's surprisingly fun to drive too. Unlike the Subaru, all-wheel drive is not available on the Accord. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Honda Accord.
Subaru Legacy vs. Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has been one of the best-selling cars in America for decades. A buzzy (but fuel-efficient) four-cylinder engine, a loud highway ride and somewhat frustrating tech keep it from being one of our favorites. However, we are fond of its spacious cabin and standard suite of driver aids. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Toyota Camry.
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FAQ
Is the Subaru Legacy a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Legacy both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.4 out of 10. You probably care about Subaru Legacy fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Legacy gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg to 30 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Legacy has 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Subaru Legacy. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Subaru Legacy?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Subaru Legacy:
- Standard adaptive headlights turn in the direction you're steering
- Seat belt reminder and rear-seat reminder added to all trims
- Part of the seventh Legacy generation introduced for 2020
Is the Subaru Legacy reliable?
To determine whether the Subaru Legacy is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Legacy. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Legacy's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Subaru Legacy is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Legacy and gave it a 7.4 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Legacy is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Subaru Legacy?
The least-expensive 2021 Subaru Legacy is the 2021 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $22,895.
Other versions include:
- Limited XT 4dr Sedan AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $34,445
- Limited 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $29,895
- Sport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $27,095
- Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,145
- Touring XT 4dr Sedan AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $36,145
- 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $22,895
What are the different models of Subaru Legacy?
If you're interested in the Subaru Legacy, the next question is, which Legacy model is right for you? Legacy variants include Limited XT 4dr Sedan AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT), Limited 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), Sport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), and Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Legacy models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more