2025 Subaru Legacy review
One of the few midsize sedans available with standard all-wheel drive, the Legacy delivered all-weather performance in a stylish, comfortable package. The Legacy featured a spacious cabin that could be outfitted with an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen display as well as niceties like leather trim and heated/ventilated front seats. All variants came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight®, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assist systems. Two engines were offered, including a potent turbocharged four-cylinder engine on higher-level trims. However, with the interest in non-SUV models diminishing, Subaru discontinued the Legacy after the 2025 model year.
Explore the evolution of the Subaru Legacy
Get our expert take on used Subaru Legacy models, or view year-by-year changes.
Seventh generation Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy had always been a bit quirky, but the new 2020 model felt more mainstream, both in design and features. The seventh-gen Legacy was built on Subaru’s new global platform, which improved driving dynamics while delivering a more comfortable, quieter ride. Inside, the Legacy had a more upscale appearance, highlighted by the available 11.6-inch vertical display and new center console. All trim levels came standard with the EyeSight® advanced driver-assist system, which was updated with improved performance and new features for the seventh generation.
Two new engines were offered in the latest-generation Legacy. The standard powertrain was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, while XT trims upgraded to a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The previous version’s six-cylinder engine did not carry over to the new generation. In 2023, the turbo engine was added to the Sport trim. Both powertrains featured a continuously variable transmission and the brand’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with active torque vectoring.
Model highlights
Available 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ standard
Available turbocharged engine
Extensive standard driver-assist features
Improved driving dynamics with new global platform
Sixth generation Subaru Legacy
The 2015 Subaru Legacy arrived with a stylish new design that gave the brand’s long-lived sedan a modern look, with a sleeker profile than the outgoing version. While the dimensions were almost identical to the previous generation, the updated model featured a roomier interior with increased space for front and rear passengers, as well as slightly more cargo space. A new infotainment system debuted in the updated Legacy, featuring an available seven-inch touchscreen display and rearview camera. Upper-level trims came with an improved EyeSight® driver-assist system, featuring adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Powering the next-generation Legacy were two engine options that carried over from the previous year, but with some improvements in performance and efficiency. A 2.5-liter boxer engine was standard, while a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine powered the top-level 3.6R trim. No longer offered with a manual gearbox, all Legacy trims were equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive.
Model highlights
Available seven-inch touchscreen display
Sport trim available (added in 2017)
Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ (added in 2018)
Available steering-responsive LED headlights (added in 2018)
EyeSight® driver-assist system (standard in 2019)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2020 - 2025
2025 Subaru Legacy
2024 Subaru Legacy
2023 Subaru Legacy
Highlights
Refreshed styling
Upgraded EyeSight® driver-assist system
Added power for Sport trim
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2022 Subaru Legacy
2021 Subaru Legacy
2020 Subaru Legacy
Previous generation from 2015 - 2019
2019 Subaru Legacy
2018 Subaru Legacy
Highlights
Fresh exterior styling
New 6.5-inch display for base model
New eight-inch display on Premium and higher
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2017 Subaru Legacy
2016 Subaru Legacy
2015 Subaru Legacy
Reliability
RepairPal gave the Subaru Legacy an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Subaru Legacy 12th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Subaru Legacy is $460, compared to an average of $430 for Midsize Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Subaru Legacy owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.8 times per year, compared to an average of 0.9 times for Midsize Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 12% for the Subaru Legacy, compared to an average of 12% for Midsize Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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