Makes›Subaru›Legacy

Subaru Legacy

8 model years from 2018 to 2025, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Subaru Legacy
Pictured: 2020 Subaru Legacy, front 10.1.20. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2018–2025
Class
Midsize Cars, Large Cars
Latest engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Best MPG
29–30 combined, by year
Latest rating
★★★★★ (2025)
Recalls
12 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2019 (123)
Fewest problems
2023
Interest
11,414 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2025 Legacy in brief

The 2025 Subaru Legacy is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 191 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,541 lb (4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (27 city / 35 highway), 0% better than the 2025 midsize car average of 30 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

The Subaru Legacy has 8 model years in our data, from 2018 to 2025, classed as Midsize Cars, Large Cars.

Its most efficient year was 2025 at 30 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 29 to 30 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the visibility/wiper (157), electrical system (101), unknown or other (99).

Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2020 is the year to avoid.

2020 has the most recalls (6); all years together count 12 campaigns and 459 owner complaints.

How the 2018 Legacy compares

The 2018 Subaru Legacy is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,402 lb (4dr Sedan 2.5i AWD).

About the Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy was a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru from 1989 to 2025. The maker's flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine.

From the Wikipedia article "Subaru Legacy", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2025 Legacy pros & cons

Full 2025 details →

What's good

  • Strong performanceUp to 260 hp, versus about 200 hp for similar 2025 models.
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 7 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the Legacy with any other car →

Legacy changes by model year

  1. 2020
    • Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
    • Engine dropped: 3.6L 6-cyl

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 8 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20252.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo30 MPG191.3 in3,541 lb★★★★★06
20242.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo30 MPG191.3 in3,541 lb★★★★★017
20232.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo30 MPG191.3 in3,541 lb★★★★★210
20222.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo30 MPG190.6 in3,541 lb★★★★★234
20212.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo30 MPG190.6 in3,541 lb★★★★★331
20202.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo30 MPG190.6 in3,541 lb★★★★★6121
20192.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl29 MPG189 in3,402 lb★★★★★3123
20182.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl29 MPG189 in3,402 lb★★★★★3117
Best combined MPG by model year — Subaru Legacy
2018: 29 MPG2019: 29 MPG2020: 30 MPG2021: 30 MPG2022: 30 MPG2023: 30 MPG2024: 30 MPG2025: 30 MPG20182019202020212022202320242025max 30 MPG

Alternatives to the 2025 Legacy

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2025 Toyota Corolla50 MPG★★★★★1
2025 Honda Civic49 MPGNot rated2
2025 Honda Accord48 MPGNot rated3
2025 Toyota Crown41 MPGNot rated3
2025 Toyota Camry51 MPGNot rated6
2025 Hyundai Elantra54 MPG★★★★★2

Most common owner-reported problems

Visibility/Wiper157
Electrical System101
Unknown Or Other99
Engine25
Visibility › Windshield15
Air Bags14
Fuel/Propulsion System13
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking13
Owner complaints by model year — Subaru Legacy
2018: 1172019: 1232020: 1212021: 312022: 342023: 102024: 172025: 620182019202020212022202320242025max 123
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →