Used 2021 Subaru Legacy for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 8.40% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 560 listings available, which suggests you should have some room to compare prices and condition.

If you find a listing below $19,627.29, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru Legacy earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.33/10 expert rating.

The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

It stands out for standard all-wheel drive, fuel efficiency, comfortable seats, and standard advanced safety features, which makes it a practical fit if you want a mainstream sedan with extra confidence in poor weather. At the same time, it is not chasing excitement: styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and the interior materials can feel cheap.

The trade-offs are clear in the expert notes: you give up some driving punch, and the cabin does not feel as upscale as some rivals.

With 27.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive price if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2021 Legacy is presented as a practical, safety-minded sedan with standard all-wheel drive and a strong emphasis on everyday usability. Its expert notes also point to comfortable seats and a well-rounded setup that should suit you if you want dependable all-weather transportation rather than a sporty personality.

Its performance setup is straightforward, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the lower trims and an available turbocharged 2.4-liter in the higher trims, both paired with a CVT. The turbocharged version adds power for highway passing and hill climbing, while the standard engine is described as adequate for daily driving.

The ownership picture is helped by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical drama and more about whether the car was maintained well and whether the cabin and electronics still feel fresh.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Subaru Legacy?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are not the same as guaranteed clean-condition cars. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the cabin, electronics, and any signs of wear in the interior materials. It also makes sense to confirm that the safety tech works as intended, since the system can be sensitive and may have been turned down or disabled by a previous owner.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim is the most stripped-down version, while Premium and above add the larger 11.6-inch screen and more upscale equipment. Higher trims also bring features like a power moonroof, leather, navigation, and premium audio, so you should compare how much convenience you want versus how much you want to spend.
• Powertrain: Lower trims use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while Limited XT and Touring XT use a turbocharged 2.4-liter with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. The turbo is the better pick if you want stronger passing power or more confidence on hills.
• Safety package: Subaru EyeSight is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision automatic emergency braking and throttle management, and vehicle lane departure and sway warning. EyeSight Assist Monitor is also included, while reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring are available.
• Infotainment: Base models use dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and higher trims get a standard 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and higher trims can add Subaru Starlink Connected Services, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine returns 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Subaru Legacy trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Legacy is offered in 6 trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the value play if you want the standard all-wheel-drive setup at the lowest entry point, but you give up the larger 11.6-inch screen and some of the more premium convenience features. It makes sense if your priority is getting the core Legacy formula for less.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen and a more complete everyday feature set without jumping into luxury territory. If you want the strongest balance of price and equipment, this is the one to focus on.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a slightly more distinctive look and available 18-inch black wheels, while still staying with the standard engine. It is the trim for you if style matters more than outright power.
• Limited: This is the better pick if you want a more upscale cabin, more available comfort features, and a more polished daily-driving experience. It is a good middle ground if you want more refinement without paying for the turbo.
• Limited XT: This is the best choice if you want the stronger turbocharged engine and a more confident highway feel. It suits you if you care about passing power and want a more capable long-distance sedan.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end choice for buyers who want the turbo engine plus the most premium equipment available. It is the right fit if you want the most fully equipped Legacy and are willing to pay for it.

Subaru EyeSight is standard across the lineup, and reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring remain available rather than standard.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Subaru Legacy?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you should shop with a clear target and compare condition closely.

• Deal availability: 27.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 560 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.40% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,627.29, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru Legacy's resale value?

The current average of $20,030 sits slightly below last year's $21,866.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can help you as a buyer now but may also limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at a strong price and keep the car in clean condition, you should be better positioned than someone who pays near the top of the range.

The Legacy’s standard AWD, safety focus, and practical reputation should help it stay appealing to shoppers who want a dependable all-weather sedan. Strong owner satisfaction also supports demand over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy safe?

The 2021 Legacy earned the top scores in every category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and it was also named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Legacy a five-star overall rating.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru EyeSight comes standard and includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision automatic emergency braking and throttle management, and vehicle lane departure and sway warning. EyeSight Assist Monitor is also included, and buyers can add reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring.

One caveat is that the system can be noisy and overly persistent, with frequent beeps, flashing, and sensitive seat-belt alerts that may annoy you in daily use.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Legacy or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 27.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.40% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines standard AWD, fuel efficiency, and standard advanced safety features in a practical sedan package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $18,033, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $20,030 average.
• It leans into practicality, efficiency, safety, and standard all-wheel drive.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of standard AWD, safety, and current-market value, the 2021 is the better target. If your main goal is saving money and you can live with an older model year, the 2020 is the cheaper path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.