2021 Subaru Legacy
| MSRP | $24,732 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $24,835 |
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’s the fuel economy? | |
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?
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.
2021 Subaru Legacy pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $22,895
- MPG & Fuel
- 27 City / 35 Hwy / 30 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: all wheel drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- Flat 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 182 hp @ 5800 rpm
- Torque: 176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 190.6 in. / Height: 59.1 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 82.0 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 72.4 in.
- Curb Weight: 3499 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 15.1 cu.ft.
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?
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?
Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy a good car?
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