Used 2021 Subaru Legacy for Sale near California

How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 8.13% 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 decent 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 expert score of 8.3/10. The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

The 2021 Legacy fits you well if you want a practical midsize sedan with standard all-wheel drive, comfortable seats, fuel efficiency, and standard advanced safety features. Its strengths line up with shoppers who value confidence in poor weather and an easy-to-live-with daily driver more than flash or sportiness.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and the interior materials can feel cheap. Even so, the Legacy’s standard AWD and safety focus make it a strong fit if you want a sensible sedan with extra all-weather confidence.

With 33.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy reliable?

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

The 2021 Legacy is built around practicality, with standard all-wheel drive, fuel efficiency, and a safety-first setup that supports everyday dependability. Its expert review also points to comfortable seats and a straightforward ownership experience, even if the cabin materials and fit-and-finish are not especially upscale.

The powertrain is described as efficient and capable for normal driving, and the standard safety tech is easy to use, even if it can be overly chatty. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the car’s cheaper-feeling interior and annoying alert behavior may matter more as mileage adds up.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.5% — 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 thorough inspection of the cabin, electronics, and safety systems, since the Legacy’s fit-and-finish and alert behavior are recurring themes. Focus on overall condition and how well the car has been maintained, especially if you plan to keep it for the long haul.

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 and more upscale equipment. Higher trims also add features like navigation, a premium audio system, and more convenience tech, so the lower trims are the ones where you’ll feel the biggest feature gap.
• Powertrain: Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while Limited XT and Touring XT add a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. The standard engine is efficient, and the turbo is the better pick if you want stronger passing and highway performance.
• 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 add-ons.
• Infotainment: Base models use dual 7-inch displays, and other trims get an 11.6-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but the system’s appearance is plain and the screen layout can feel crowded.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine returns an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine is rated at 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-focused starting point, and it gives you standard all-wheel drive plus the core safety and efficiency advantages that define the Legacy. It’s the trim to consider if you want the lowest entry price and can live without the larger screen and extra convenience features.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch infotainment screen and a more complete feature set without jumping into luxury pricing. If you want the strongest balance of equipment and price, this is the trim to target.
• Sport: This trim adds a more distinctive look and exclusive 18-inch black wheels, giving you a little more style without changing the Legacy’s practical mission. It suits you if you want a more expressive version of the car but still care about value.
• Limited: This is the more upscale non-turbo choice, with additional comfort and convenience equipment that makes the cabin feel more premium. It’s a good fit if you want a nicer daily driver but don’t need the turbo engine.
• Limited XT: This is where you get the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, making it the better pick if you want stronger highway passing and hill-climbing ability. Choose this if performance matters more than maximizing fuel economy.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end choice, pairing the turbo engine with the most upscale equipment in the lineup. It makes sense if you want the most complete Legacy experience and are willing to pay for it.

Every Legacy comes standard with Subaru EyeSight, 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, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 541 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.13% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,376, 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 $19,376 sits slightly below last year's $21,091.

That price movement suggests the Legacy has become more affordable for used buyers, which can help demand from shoppers who want standard AWD and strong safety content without paying new-car money. For a future seller, the softer market means you may need to price competitively to stand out.

Even so, the Legacy’s practical appeal and broad usefulness should help it remain relevant with value-minded buyers. 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, including crashworthiness, crash-avoidance tech, and LATCH system ease of use, and it was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It also earns five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

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, and buyers can add reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring.

The main caveat is that the system can be overly sensitive and noisy, with frequent beeps and chimes that may get annoying 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:

• 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.13% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model keeps standard AWD, strong safety content, and comfortable everyday usability.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,265, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,376 average.
• It emphasizes practicality, efficiency, and standard AWD.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger all-around used buy, the 2021 is the better target because it combines standard AWD, strong safety, and a softer price trend. If your main goal is to spend less upfront, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path.

How does the 2021 Subaru Legacy compare to the 2021 Toyota Camry?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Subaru Legacy:

• Pros: Standard all-wheel drive, Comfortable, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Sluggish performance, Interior materials feel cheap.

2021 Toyota Camry:

• Pros: Comfortable, Spacious, TRD trim adds extra performance and style.
• Cons: Outdated technology, Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 Subaru Legacy 8.3/10 and the 2021 Toyota Camry 7.8/10.

The Legacy is the better pick if you want standard all-wheel drive and a stronger safety focus. The Camry counters with more power at the base engine, a roomier feel, and a broader used-market presence. If you care most about all-weather confidence, the Subaru makes more sense; if you want a more conventional midsize sedan with stronger mainstream appeal, the Toyota is worth a look.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.