DecodedCars2018 Subaru Legacy
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan 2.5i AWD, 4dr Sedan 3.6r AWD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 25 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 189 in
- Curb weight
- 3,402–3,697 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
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).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 34 highway), 7% better than the 2018 midsize car average of 27.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 2.5i AWD | 189 in | 72.4 in | 59.1 in | 108.3 in | 62.2 / 63 in | 3,402 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr Sedan 3.6r AWD | 189 in | 72.4 in | 59.1 in | 108.3 in | 62.2 / 63 in | 3,697 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 29 | +7% | $2,300 | 311 |
| Legacy AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -15% | $2,900 | 387 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.1% |
Similar 2018 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Legacy (this car) | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Ford Mustang | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda Accord | 47 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2018 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Camaro | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2018 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jul 29, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices · Dec 31, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V935000 · 71,190 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
- Risk
- Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
Electrical System › Software · Nov 1, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V773000 · 228,648 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
- Risk
- The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
Not every 2018 Subaru Legacy is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Subaru Legacy buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 38 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Visibility/Wiper — 25 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Engine — 10 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,900 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Legacy. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Legacy years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Legacy | 30 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 6 |
| 2024 Legacy | 30 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 17 |
| 2023 Legacy | 30 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 10 |
| 2022 Legacy | 30 | 190.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 34 |
| 2021 Legacy | 30 | 190.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 31 |
| 2020 Legacy | 30 | 190.6 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 121 |
| 2019 Legacy | 29 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 123 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →