Used 2021 Subaru Legacy for Sale near California

How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 9.73% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 568 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

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 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. It is especially appealing if you want extra confidence in poor weather and a value-oriented daily driver.

The main trade-offs are that styling is uninspired and performance is sluggish. Interior materials can also feel cheap, so if you care most about polish or quick acceleration, you may want to look elsewhere.

Good and great deals account for 32.6% of listings, which suggests there are still some worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy reliable?

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

The 2021 Legacy is built around practical strengths that usually matter most over time: standard AWD, fuel efficiency, comfortable seating, and a safety-focused setup. Its expert evaluation also points to a well-rounded ownership experience for everyday use, especially if you value confidence in poor weather.

The performance setup is straightforward, with a 2.5-liter engine in lower trims and a turbocharged 2.4-liter option in higher trims, both paired with a CVT. That simplicity can be a plus for used buyers who want a familiar, low-drama sedan, though the car’s annoying warning chimes and fit-and-finish concerns are worth keeping in mind.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.5% — 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 so you can check for wear, warning-light issues, and any signs that the car’s safety systems or interior trim have been neglected. Focus especially on overall condition, because this model’s value depends heavily on whether it has been kept tidy and well maintained.

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 convenience and luxury equipment, so the base model is the one most likely to feel sparse.
• 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 and hill-climbing ability.
• 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. Reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring are available, so check whether a given car has those extras.
• Infotainment: Base models use dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and above get an 11.6-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but the larger screen and added connected features are more appealing on higher trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine returns 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine gets 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 least expensive way into the Legacy, but it’s also the most stripped-down. You get the core AWD value proposition, but the smaller dual-screen setup makes it the trim most likely to feel basic.
• 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.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a more distinctive appearance and a few extra style touches, but it’s still more about presentation than major performance gains.
• Limited: This is the better pick if you want a more upscale feel and a stronger mix of comfort and convenience features without going all the way to the turbo models.
• Limited XT: This is the best choice if you want the stronger 260 hp turbo engine and a more relaxed passing experience while still staying in a well-equipped trim.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end choice for buyers who want the most power and the most premium equipment in the lineup.

Subaru EyeSight is 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, selective-buyer market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 568 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.73% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,606, 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 $19,678 sits slightly below last year's $21,799.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you’re planning to resell soon. If you buy at the right price and keep the car in strong condition, you’ll be better positioned to preserve value.

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, 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 comes standard, and it includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision automatic emergency braking and throttle management, and vehicle lane departure and sway warning. The system also includes EyeSight Assist Monitor, which projects warnings and system status onto the windshield.

A caveat worth noting is that the safety tech can be noisy and intrusive, with frequent beeps, chimes, and alerts that may bother you during everyday driving.

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:

• 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.73% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for standard AWD, strong safety, and a practical value-focused setup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,784, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,678 average.
• It leans into practicality, efficiency, safety, and standard AWD.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger all-around market position, the 2021 is the better target because it combines standard AWD, solid safety, and a softer price trend. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the core Legacy strengths.

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