Used 2020 Subaru Legacy for Sale near California

How much does the 2020 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 10.34% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 527 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Subaru Legacy a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Subaru Legacy earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

The Legacy fits you well if you want a practical midsize sedan with standard all-wheel drive, fuel-efficient engines, and an easy-to-use interior. It also brings strong value for money and standard advanced safety features, which make it appealing as an everyday family car.

The trade-offs are that its technology can be unintuitive and the base engine is underwhelming. If you care more about capability, safety, and all-weather confidence than quick acceleration or a polished infotainment experience, the Legacy makes a strong case.

The market also looks reasonably favorable, with 32.3% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2020 Subaru Legacy reliable?

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

The Legacy’s reliability case is built around its practical design, standard all-wheel drive, and safety-focused setup. Its fuel-efficient engines and straightforward everyday mission suggest a car that is meant to be used heavily and dependably.

The performance notes also point to a responsive CVT and a chassis that handles well, which supports the sense that the car is engineered for consistent daily use. If you buy used, the main long-term ownership risk is ending up with a car whose tech frustrations or neglected maintenance make it less pleasant than its fundamentals suggest.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Subaru Legacy?

At 74.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has any accident history. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the interior tech and controls still function as intended. Because this model leans so heavily on standard equipment, you’ll want to make sure the features you expect are actually working properly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim comes with remote keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, dual 7-inch touchscreens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, voice recognition, Subaru EyeSight, and 17-inch steel wheels with plastic covers. Premium adds 17-inch alloy wheels, power side mirrors, four USB ports, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, a standard power moonroof, 10-way power front seats, and the All-Weather Package with heated seats, heated mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
• Powertrain: The base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims use a 2.5-liter boxer 4-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Limited XT and Touring XT use a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder with 260 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The base engine returns 27 mpg city, 35 highway, 30 combined, while the turbo engine returns 24 city, 32 highway, 27 combined.
• Safety package: Subaru EyeSight is standard and includes forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Other standard safety features include front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
• Infotainment: The system centers on an 11.6-inch touchscreen on most trims, with dual 7-inch touchscreens on the base trim. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and Subaru also provides over-the-air CarPlay functionality. The setup is easy to read but can be cumbersome to use.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine is rated at 27 mpg city, 35 highway, 30 combined, and the turbocharged engine is rated at 24 city, 32 highway, 27 combined.

Which 2020 Subaru Legacy trim should I buy?

The 2020 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 lowest entry point and still want Subaru EyeSight, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, automatic climate control, and standard all-wheel drive. It gives you the core Legacy formula without forcing you into a higher price.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim. It adds the 11.6-inch touchscreen, 10-way power front seats, a power moonroof, dual-zone climate control, four USB ports, and the All-Weather Package with heated seats, heated mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer. If you want the most useful upgrades for daily life, this is the one to target.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a little more style and a slightly more expressive cabin. It adds 18-inch alloys, a trunk spoiler, a more aggressive front fascia, LED fog lights, red contrast stitching, leather dash cladding, and aluminum alloy pedal covers.
• Limited: This is the comfort-focused step up. It adds adaptive LED headlights, auto power up/down for all four windows, an 8-way power front passenger seat, driver memory settings, perforated leather upholstery, and heated rear seats.
• Limited XT: Pick this if you want the stronger turbocharged engine along with extras like dual tailpipes, a distracted-driving monitor, and a heated steering wheel.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end choice if you want the turbo engine plus the most upscale cabin treatment, including power-folding mirrors with integrated turn signals, full Nappa leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats.

Subaru EyeSight is standard, so you do not need to move up a trim to get the core driver-assistance suite.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Subaru Legacy?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 527 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.34% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,784, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Subaru Legacy's resale value?

The current average of $17,784 sits slightly below last year's $19,835.

That decline suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means sellers may need to price competitively to move a used Legacy. If you’re planning to sell later, the current trend points to a softer resale environment than last year’s.

Even so, the Legacy’s practical reputation and standard all-wheel drive help it stay relevant with shoppers who want capability and safety in a sedan. A well-kept example should still attract interest, especially if it has the right trim and clean history.

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 2020 Subaru Legacy safe?

The 2020 Subaru Legacy earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

It comes standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The system also includes an alert that helps if the car ahead starts moving while you’re stopped, plus standard front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

That standard safety setup is a major part of the Legacy’s appeal, especially if you want a sedan that prioritizes everyday protection and driver assistance. The main caveat is that the safety tech is tied closely to the car’s broader tech experience, which can feel less intuitive than you might want.

Should I buy a 2020 Subaru Legacy or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.34% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines standard all-wheel drive with strong safety and practical everyday usability.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $19,678, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $17,784 average.
• It keeps standard all-wheel drive while emphasizing comfort and safety.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the stronger buy because pricing has softened and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model year, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative for shoppers who want to stay closer to the latest version of the Legacy formula.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.