Used 2021 Subaru Legacy for Sale nearDetroit, MI

How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 8.49% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 550 listings available, which gives you a meaningful pool to compare before you commit.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a model that earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.3/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

The 2021 Legacy stands out for standard all-wheel drive, comfortable seats, and standard advanced safety features. It’s also described as budget-friendly and fuel-efficient, which makes it a strong fit if you want traction and efficiency without moving up to a pricier vehicle.

The trade-offs are clear: styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and the interior materials can feel cheap. If you value everyday usefulness over excitement, that balance may work in your favor.

35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you still have 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 presented as a practical sedan with standard all-wheel drive, fuel efficiency, and strong safety credentials. The expert summary also points to a model that delivers the kind of everyday usefulness Subaru buyers tend to want, with comfortable seats and a safety-first mission.

Its EyeSight system is described as easy to use, and the car’s warranty coverage adds another layer of reassurance for ownership. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about core dependability and more about living with the car’s annoying alerts and modest refinement.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks for fit-and-finish issues, interior wear, and any signs the car has been used hard. Focus on overall condition, because the model’s value proposition depends heavily on whether it still feels well-kept.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim uses dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and higher trims get an 11.6-inch infotainment screen and more upscale equipment. The lower trims are the ones most likely to feel sparse if you want a richer cabin experience.
• Powertrain: Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while Limited XT and Touring XT models add a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine 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 used example has those extras.
• Infotainment: Base models get dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and above get an 11.6-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and higher trims can add navigation, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and other convenience features.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine returns 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, while the turbocharged engine returns 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

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, and it gives you the core Legacy formula with standard all-wheel drive and the basic dual-screen setup. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it’s the least equipped version.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen and a more complete feature set without jumping into the turbo models. If you want the strongest mix of comfort and equipment, start here.
• Sport: This trim adds a more distinctive look, including 18-inch black wheels, while staying with the base engine. It suits you if you want a little more style without moving up to the pricier XT models.
• Limited: This is the more upscale non-turbo choice, with additional comfort and convenience equipment. It’s a good fit if you want a more polished cabin but don’t need the turbo engine.
• Limited XT: This is the first trim with the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, so it’s the one to choose if you want stronger performance and still want a well-equipped cabin.
• Touring XT: This is the top trim and combines the turbo engine with the most premium equipment. It’s the pick if you want the most complete Legacy experience and are willing to pay for it.

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’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 550 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.49% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,110, 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 $19,110 sits slightly below last year's $20,884.

That softer pricing suggests the model has moved into a more buyer-friendly range, which can help you if you’re shopping now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car has been maintained.

Because the market has already adjusted downward, a clean, well-equipped example is more likely to stand out than a rough one. 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. The National Highway Traffic Administration 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, with frequent beeps, flashing, and a very sensitive seat-belt reminder.

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:

• 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.49% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model stands out for standard all-wheel drive, fuel efficiency, and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,303, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,110 average.
• It emphasizes practicality, efficiency, and safety in a straightforward midsize-sedan package.

The bottom line: Choose the 2021 if you want the stronger current-market mix of value, safety, and standard AWD. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better budget-first alternative.

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 story. The Camry counters with more power at the base engine, more highway efficiency, and a roomier-feeling mainstream sedan package.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.