Used 2021 Subaru Legacy for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 9.01% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 541 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 5/5 user-rated car with an 8.33/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

The Legacy stands out for standard all-wheel drive, comfortable seats, fuel efficiency, and a strong safety focus. It’s a practical sedan for you if you want confidence in poor weather and a straightforward daily driver rather than something sporty or luxurious.

The main trade-offs are sluggish performance and interior materials that can feel cheap, so you should expect competence more than excitement. The 35.5% good-or-great-deal share suggests there are still some attractive listings if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy reliable?

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

The Legacy’s appeal is built around standard AWD, efficiency, and safety, which usually makes it an easy car for you to live with day to day. The expert review also points to comfortable seats and a practical, mainstream-sedan character.

Its dependability story is helped by the fact that the car is described as straightforward and easy to use, with a focus on function over flash. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is more about condition and maintenance history than about the car’s basic mission.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any car you’re considering, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re shopping higher-mileage examples or a turbo model. Focus on overall condition, fit-and-finish wear, and whether the safety tech behaves the way you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim starts with dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and higher trims get the larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Higher grades also add more premium equipment, so the base car is the one most likely to feel stripped down.
• Powertrain: The Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the Limited XT and Touring XT use a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. Both engines use a CVT, and the turbo is the better pick if you want stronger passing and hill-climbing.
• 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: Premium and higher trims get the 11.6-inch screen, and all models include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get standard USB ports, a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack, and automatic climate control.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbo 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 starting point, but it’s also the most basic version, with dual 7-inch displays instead of the larger screen found higher up the range. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and are comfortable with a simpler cabin.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch infotainment screen and moves the car closer to the more polished versions without jumping into luxury pricing. If you want the strongest mix of equipment and price, this is the trim to focus on.
• Sport: This trim sits above Premium and adds a more distinctive wheel treatment, including 18-inch black wheels. It’s the choice if you want a little more visual flair without moving into the turbo models.
• Limited: This trim builds on the mainstream lineup with more upscale equipment and is a good fit if you want a more refined daily driver. It’s also the point where the cabin can feel more premium without going all the way to the XT models.
• Limited XT: This is the first turbocharged trim, so it’s the one to choose if you want stronger acceleration and better highway passing power. It’s the best fit for you if performance matters more than maximizing fuel economy.
• Touring XT: This is the top trim and combines the turbo engine with the most upscale equipment in the lineup. Choose it if you want the most fully equipped Legacy and are willing to pay for it.

Subaru EyeSight comes standard, and buyers can add reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 541 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.01% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,580, 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 $19,597 sits slightly below last year's $21,536.

That price movement suggests the Legacy has softened enough to be more approachable for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively. If you buy well now, you’re starting from a lower cost basis than shoppers were facing a year ago.

The model’s practical reputation, standard AWD, and strong safety focus should help keep it relevant with buyers who value function over flash. 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 Subaru Legacy earned the top scores in every category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including crashworthiness, crash-avoidance tech, and LATCH system ease of use, and it was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) 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 annoying in daily use because of frequent beeps, flashing, and very sensitive seat-belt alerts.

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:

• 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.01% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 brings standard AWD, strong safety content, and a practical, comfort-first setup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,678, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,597 average.
• It’s a practical midsize sedan with standard AWD, good mileage, and a clear focus on everyday usefulness.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced buy, the 2021 is the stronger choice because it combines standard AWD, strong safety, and a softer price trend. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value path, especially if you’re comfortable giving up some of the 2021’s updated equipment and refinement.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.