Used 2021 Subaru Legacy for Sale near Washington

How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 9.95% 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 decent amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy a good car?

Yes — 5/5 from users and 8.33/10 from our experts point to a strong overall case for the 2021 Subaru Legacy. The model scores 9/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

The Legacy’s appeal starts with standard all-wheel drive, comfortable seats, fuel efficiency, and standard advanced safety features. It is aimed at you if you want a practical midsize sedan that feels especially useful in poor weather and everyday commuting.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and the interior materials can feel cheap. Fit-and-finish concerns also show up in expert testing.

35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy reliable?

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

The Legacy’s reliability story is built around a practical formula: standard AWD, a fuel-efficient powertrain, and a straightforward cabin layout. Expert testing also describes it as a vehicle that delivers what typical Subaru shoppers want, with a focus on comfort, safety, and everyday usability.

The performance side is dependable in the sense that it gets the job done, but the base engine is modest and the turbo adds more power with some lag. The safety tech is effective, though the frequent alerts can become tiring.

If you plan to keep one long term, the main ownership risk is more about living with the car’s compromises than expecting major drama.

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 and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example or a car with optional equipment. Focus on overall condition, signs of wear in the cabin, and whether the safety and infotainment systems work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim gets dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and higher trims add the 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Lower trims miss some of the more upscale convenience and tech features found higher up the range.
• Powertrain: Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Limited XT and Touring XT models upgrade to a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.
• 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.
• Infotainment: All models get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Premium and higher trims add the 11.6-inch screen. Higher trims can also bring navigation, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and additional USB ports.
• 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: This is the entry point, but it still gives you standard AWD and the core safety story. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Legacy formula.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch infotainment screen and a more complete everyday feature set without jumping into the turbo models.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a slightly more distinctive look and upgraded wheels, but it is still more about appearance and equipment than real performance.
• Limited: This is the more upscale non-turbo choice, adding a richer feature mix while keeping the efficient base engine.
• Limited XT: This is the best pick if you want stronger acceleration without going all the way to the top trim; it pairs the turbo engine with a well-equipped cabin.
• Touring XT: This is the most fully equipped version and suits you if you want the most comfort and convenience features along with the turbo powertrain.

Safety content notes that the Legacy comes standard with Subaru EyeSight, and that reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring are available rather than standard.

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 with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 550 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.95% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,580, 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 $19,622 sits slightly below last year's $21,789.

That price movement suggests the Legacy has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. The current market also shows a relatively tight year-round range, which can support value if the car is kept in good condition.

For you as a buyer, that means the model may be easier to justify if you plan to own it for several years rather than flip it quickly. A well-kept example bought near the low end of the range should have a better chance of holding its appeal.

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 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 EyeSight system can be annoying because of frequent beeps and chimes, and Subaru’s seat-belt monitoring system is especially loud.

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 79.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.95% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines standard AWD, fuel efficiency, and standard advanced safety features in a practical midsize sedan package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,732, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,622 average.
• It leans hard into efficiency, safety, and all-wheel-drive capability.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of standard AWD, safety, and everyday usability, the 2021 is the better all-around pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the value-oriented alternative and still delivers the core Subaru formula.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.