Makes›Subaru›Legacy/Outback

Subaru Legacy/Outback

13 model years from 2005 to 2017, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Subaru Legacy/Outback
Pictured: 2011 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon 2.5i EyeSight in Ice Silver Metallic, front right. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2017
Class
Midsize Cars, Compact Cars
Latest engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Best MPG
22–29 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
0 campaigns, all years
Interest
11,414 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2017 Legacy/Outback in brief

The 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 34 highway), 8% better than the 2017 midsize car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

The Subaru Legacy/Outback has 13 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2017, classed as Midsize Cars, Compact Cars.

Its most efficient year was 2017 at 29 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 29 MPG.

Buying used? 2017 has the fewest problems in our data.

How the 2005 Legacy/Outback compares

The 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback is a compact car offered with 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 1% worse than the 2005 compact car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

About the Subaru Legacy/Outback

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.

2017 Legacy/Outback pros & cons

Full 2017 details →

What's good

  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Best and worst years to buy used

Best year

2017 Legacy/Outback

0 owner complaints · 0 recalls

No clear problem year

None of the 3 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 3 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Legacy/Outback changes by model year

  1. 2015
    • Best combined MPG up from 27 to 29
  2. 2013
    • Engine dropped: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
    • Best combined MPG up from 25 to 27
  3. 2010
    • Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl
    • Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 22 to 26

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 13 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20172.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl29 MPG––Not rated00
20162.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl29 MPG––Not rated00
20152.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl29 MPG––Not rated00
20142.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl27 MPG––Not rated00
20132.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl27 MPG––Not rated00
20122.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl25 MPG––Not rated00
20112.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl25 MPG––Not rated00
20102.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl26 MPG––Not rated00
20092.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl22 MPG––Not rated00
20082.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl22 MPG––Not rated00
20072.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl23 MPG––Not rated00
20062.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl23 MPG––Not rated00
20052.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo23 MPG––Not rated00
Best combined MPG by model year — Subaru Legacy/Outback
2005: 23 MPG2006: 23 MPG2007: 23 MPG2008: 22 MPG2009: 22 MPG2010: 26 MPG2011: 25 MPG2012: 25 MPG2013: 27 MPG2014: 27 MPG2015: 29 MPG2016: 29 MPG2017: 29 MPG2005200720092011201320152017max 29 MPG

Alternatives to the 2009 Legacy/Outback

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated6
2009 Toyota RAV424 MPGNot rated14
2009 Honda CR-V23 MPGNot rated12
2009 Toyota 4Runner18 MPGNot rated6
2009 Chevrolet Suburban16 MPGNot rated4
2009 Hyundai Tucson22 MPGNot rated1
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 →