“The Subaru Legacy just seemed to combine the right amounts of luxury, dependability and practicality at a cost that was reasonable. I love everything about it.”
Subaru Legacy: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 13, 2026
The Subaru Legacy is a midsize five-seat sedan known for standard all-wheel drive, a roomy and comfortable cabin, and a strong focus on safety. It is a practical four-door for everyday driving, especially where wet or snowy weather is common.
Across its generations, the Legacy has offered the familiarity of a traditional sedan with the added security of standard all-wheel drive. Redesigns have steadily made it roomier, quieter, and more comfortable, while safety technology has become a bigger part of its character. Engine choices have changed over time, but secure daily driving and long-trip comfort have remained the main themes. The 2025 Legacy was the final U.S. model year.
Strengths
- Standard all-wheel drive gives every Legacy added confidence on wet or snowy roads.
- The cabin has useful space for adults, including 39.5 inches of rear legroom in 2025.
- Comfort has been a recurring priority, with several redesigns bringing a roomier, quieter cabin and smoother road manners.
- Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite has been standard across the Legacy lineup since 2019.
- The 2025 lineup covers relaxed daily driving and stronger acceleration, with 182 horsepower in most trims and 260 horsepower in the turbo models.
Who it's for
The Legacy suits commuters, small families, and frequent road-trippers who prefer a sedan but still want confident traction in poor weather. It is especially appealing to shoppers in snowy climates who do not need or want an SUV.
Subaru Legacy lineup
The Base trim keeps the Legacy’s core all-wheel-drive and safety-focused formula without extra frills, while Premium is the sensible step up for more comfort and convenience. Limited has traditionally been the more comfort-oriented choice, with richer equipment than the lower trims. Sport has emphasized a sharper look since it joined the lineup, and since the 2023 refresh it has also served as the lower-priced turbo model. In the 2020-2025 generation, Touring XT is the upper-trim alternative for shoppers who want turbo power in a more upscale package.
Subaru Legacy generations
From 2009 to 2025, the Legacy spans four generations. The current 7th Generation arrived for 2020, following the 6th Generation (2015–2019).
7th Generation (2020–2025)
The Legacy moved to Subaru’s newer vehicle platform for a roomier, quieter cabin. It paired standard AWD with a 2.5-liter engine or a 2.4-liter turbo, and most trims received an 11.6-inch touchscreen.
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2025
Final U.S. model year. The Limited gained several standard features, but the engines, AWD system, design, and five-trim lineup carried over.
2024
The Sport gained a standard 11.6-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio; the rest of the lineup largely carried over.
2023Mid-cycle update
Refreshed front styling, updated safety technology, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for models with the 11.6-inch screen. The Sport also replaced the Limited XT as the lower-priced turbo model.
2022
Equipment updates added alloy wheels to the Base, rear console vents to the Premium, and more standard convenience and safety features to the Sport.
2021
Steering-responsive LED headlights became standard across the lineup, along with added seatbelt and rear-seat reminders.
2020New generation
Full redesign on Subaru’s newer vehicle platform, with a roomier and quieter cabin, updated 2.5-liter engine, returning turbo power, and expanded safety and touchscreen technology.
6th Generation (2015–2019)
This redesign brought a roomier, quieter cabin, a more streamlined body, new touchscreen technology, and a standard continuously variable automatic transmission. Standard AWD remained part of every Legacy.
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2019
The EyeSight safety suite became standard across the lineup, and all trims gained a 5-inch instrument display.
2018Mid-cycle update
Revised front and rear styling, a quieter cabin, retuned suspension and steering, and updated touchscreens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2017Trim changes
The 2.5i Sport joined the lineup with sportier styling, keyless start, and a power moonroof.
2016
Revised steering tuning across the lineup and smoother-riding suspension tuning for Limited trims.
2015New generation
Full redesign with a roomier and quieter cabin, a more streamlined body, new touchscreens, and a standard continuously variable automatic transmission.
5th Generation (2010–2014)
The Legacy grew into a larger midsize sedan with more rear-seat and trunk room, a new platform, and fresh styling. It retained standard AWD while offering four-cylinder, turbo four-cylinder, and six-cylinder engines.
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2014Trim changes
The six-cylinder range was reduced to the 3.6R Limited. Other updates were limited to transmission tuning and added equipment for the 2.5i Premium.
2013Mid-cycle update
Redesigned front styling, a newer 2.5-liter engine, revised automatic-transmission tuning, and retuned steering and suspension. The EyeSight safety suite also arrived on select upper trims.
2012Trim changes
Premium trims gained Bluetooth and USB audio features, while Limited trims gained standard fog lights.
2011Trim changes
The turbo lineup was reduced to one model, the 2.5GT Limited. Other changes were minor.
2010New generation
Full redesign with a larger cabin and trunk, a new platform, new styling, a different rear suspension design, and a new continuously variable automatic transmission for non-turbo 2.5-liter models.
4th Generation (2005–2009)
This generation used standard AWD and offered four-cylinder, turbo four-cylinder, and six-cylinder engines. The 2009 model year was its final year before the 2010 redesign.
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2009Trim changes
The 3.0 R joined the lineup as a new six-cylinder model below the Limited, while the 2.5 GT Limited gained adjustable engine-response settings.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Subaru Legacy.
2025 Subaru Legacy2024 Subaru Legacy2023 Subaru Legacy2022 Subaru Legacy2021 Subaru Legacy2020 Subaru Legacy2019 Subaru Legacy2018 Subaru Legacy2017 Subaru Legacy2016 Subaru Legacy2015 Subaru Legacy2014 Subaru Legacy2013 Subaru Legacy2012 Subaru Legacy2011 Subaru Legacy2010 Subaru Legacy2009 Subaru Legacy
Frequently asked questions
Is the Subaru Legacy a sedan or an SUV?
The Subaru Legacy is a four-door midsize sedan. Final-generation models seat five, provide 39.5 inches of rear legroom, and have a 15.1-cubic-foot trunk.
Does every Subaru Legacy have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Every Legacy trim and model year covered here has standard all-wheel drive, from the basic 2.5i and Base models to the turbo, six-cylinder, and luxury versions.
Does the Subaru Legacy come as a hybrid?
No. The Legacy models covered here use gasoline engines. Depending on the era and trim, that means a regular four-cylinder, a turbocharged four-cylinder, or an older six-cylinder.
What is the Subaru Legacy known for?
The Legacy is known for combining standard all-wheel drive with a roomy, comfortable sedan cabin and a strong focus on safety. It favors secure everyday driving over flashy styling.
Who is the Subaru Legacy a good fit for?
The Legacy suits someone who wants a traditional, comfortable sedan but values all-weather traction. Its roomy rear seat also makes it useful for families, commuters, and longer trips.
Which Subaru Legacy generations are covered here?
The covered Legacy sedans span four generations: the fourth generation through 2009, fifth from 2010-2014, sixth from 2015-2019, and seventh from 2020-2025. The major redesign years were 2010, 2015, and 2020.
Is the Subaru Legacy discontinued?
Yes. The 2025 Legacy was the final model year in Subaru’s U.S. lineup. It ended the seventh generation, which ran from 2020 through 2025.
Subaru Legacy Reviews
What owners are saying about the Subaru Legacy.
4.2
Subaru Legacy
(2,382 reviews)
“As an older senior citizen, AWD is important to me, and Subaru has a reliable reputation for that feature.”
“This is a great car. It is very reliable, safe, and comfortable. The best part is the gas mileage, which is far above what I expected.”
“They hold their value, limited drop in value and they last forever. The car also handles very well in snow and other inclement conditions. Just as big if not bigger than the Camry, can fit car seats in there easily. Trunk space is also huge.”
“The Legacy is a great car that is fun to drive and drives with ease. There are many features that make driving safer and easier.”
“The Legacy is a great daily driver vehicle with easy to use technology and a sleek interior”
Sources
- subaru.com — trimComparison / 2025 / LEG
- subaru.com — Brochures / 2025 / 2025 Legacy Brochure 070224
- subaru.com — trimComparison / 2024 / LEG
- subaru.co.jp — Press / News En / 2019 02 08 6884
- subaru.com — Brochures / 2024 / MY24 Legacy Brochure
- subaru.com — trimComparison / 2023 / LEG
- subaru.com — Vehicles / Legacy / 2025
- subaru.com — Brochures / 2025 / 2025 Legacy Brochure 070224
- subaru.com — 2023 / Legacy / MY23 Legacy Brochure
- subaru.com — trimComparison / 2022 / LEG
- subaru.com — 2022 / Legacy / 2022 Legacy Brochure
- subaru.com — 2021 / Legacy / 2021 Subaru Legacy Brochure