Used 2021 Subaru Legacy for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 10.09% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 552 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

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 especially appealing if you want a practical sedan for everyday use and poor-weather confidence. The trade-offs are clear: styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and the interior materials can feel cheap.

For shoppers who value all-weather traction and a well-rounded value proposition over excitement, that balance makes sense. 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

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 practicality, efficiency, safety, and standard all-wheel drive, and the expert review reinforces that it’s a sensible, confidence-inspiring sedan for everyday driving. It also comes with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, which adds some reassurance for used buyers.

The main long-term ownership risk is that the same features that make it useful can also make it less satisfying if you’re sensitive to noisy driver alerts or want a more polished cabin experience.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or a car with optional equipment. Focus on overall condition, interior wear, and whether the safety and driver-assist systems behave as expected during a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim gets dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and higher trims upgrade to an 11.6-inch infotainment screen and add more convenience and premium features.
• Powertrain: The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while XT models use a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft.
• 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.
• Infotainment: All models get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Premium and higher trims add the 11.6-inch screen.
• 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 entry point, but it still gives you standard all-wheel drive, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Subaru EyeSight. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Legacy’s core strengths.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch infotainment screen and more of the features that make the cabin feel more modern and usable.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a little more visual flair and upgraded wheel options without jumping all the way to the turbocharged models.
• Limited: This is the more upscale non-turbo choice, adding more comfort and premium touches while keeping the efficient base engine.
• Limited XT: This is the best pick if you want stronger passing power and hill-climbing ability without going all the way to the top trim.
• Touring XT: This is the most powerful and most fully equipped version, so it suits you if you want the Legacy at its most premium and don’t mind paying for it.

Subaru EyeSight is standard across the lineup, 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, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough pricing softness to create opportunities.

• Deal availability: 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 552 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.09% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,568, 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 $19,570 sits slightly below last year's $21,767.

That decline suggests the market has softened, which can be good news if you’re buying now but less favorable if you’re planning to sell soon. If you own one, pricing pressure may continue to work against you unless your car is especially clean, well maintained, and equipped with desirable features.

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 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.

One caveat is that the system can be annoying in daily use because of frequent beeps, chimes, and 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:

• 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.09% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps standard all-wheel drive, strong safety, and practical everyday usability in a value-oriented package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,775, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,570 average.
• It leans into practicality, efficiency, safety, and standard all-wheel drive.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-market mix of inventory, pricing, and feature content, the 2021 is the better all-around pick. If your priority is spending less upfront and you’re comfortable with an older model year, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.