How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 7.50% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 560 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection to compare. If you find a listing below $19,627.50, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy a good car?

Yes — you get a 5/5 user rating and an 8.33/10 expert rating. The Legacy stands out because it makes all-wheel drive standard, which is a rare advantage in this class and a strong fit if you want extra confidence in poor weather. It also leans into practical strengths like fuel efficiency, comfortable seats, and standard advanced safety features.

The trade-offs are clear: styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and interior materials can feel cheap. That means you should view it as a comfort-focused, safety-minded sedan rather than a car built for excitement.

The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

With 30.2% 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 Legacy’s appeal is built around practicality, efficiency, safety, and standard all-wheel drive, which are the kinds of traits that usually matter most over years of ownership. It also pairs a fuel-efficient setup with a standard continuously variable transmission and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

The dependability story is strongest if you value a straightforward, comfort-oriented sedan with standard AWD and a strong safety focus. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about mechanical drama and more about whether the car’s condition and maintenance history match its reputation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a proper inspection. Prioritize a test drive that lets you evaluate the cabin, the ride, and how the driver-assist systems behave in real use. Focus on overall condition, especially signs of wear in the interior and any evidence that the car has been used hard or poorly maintained.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models get dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and higher trims add the 11.6-inch screen and more premium equipment. Lower grades also miss some of the nicer convenience and luxury touches found higher up the range.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged 2.4-liter in XT trims makes 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. Both engines use a CVT, and the turbo is the better choice 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 a standard 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and higher trims add connected services, navigation, and other convenience features.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. 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 trim: It gives you standard AWD and core safety tech, but you miss the larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen and some of the more premium convenience features.
• Sweet-spot trim: Premium is the best value if you want the bigger screen and a more complete everyday feature set without jumping to the pricier upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: Touring XT is the most upscale choice, adding the turbocharged engine and the richest mix of comfort and tech features.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims is positioned as an off-road choice, so you should focus on comfort, safety, and value instead.

Subaru EyeSight is standard across the lineup, and that safety-package consistency is a major reason the Legacy makes sense even in lower trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Subaru Legacy?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 560 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.50% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,627.50, 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 $20,168 sits slightly below last year's $21,804.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. If you plan to resell later, the Legacy’s standard AWD, strong safety reputation, and practical appeal should help it stay relevant with shoppers who want all-weather confidence. The biggest resale advantage will likely come from well-kept examples with desirable equipment 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 2021 Subaru Legacy safe?

The 2021 Legacy earned the top scores in every category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it was also named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) gave the Legacy a five-star overall rating.

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

Subaru EyeSight is standard, and the suite 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, giving you a head-up display with warnings and system status on the windshield. Reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring are available if you want to add more protection.

The main caveat is that the system can be noisy and overly persistent, with frequent beeps and flashing that may bother you in daily 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:

• 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.50% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model combines standard AWD, strong safety scores, and a practical, comfort-focused setup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $18,123, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $20,168 average.
• It leans into practicality, efficiency, safety, and standard AWD.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-year market mix of inventory, deal availability, and standard safety appeal, the 2021 is the better all-around pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the core Subaru strengths that matter most.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.