Used 2021 Subaru Legacy for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost?

Prices have softened 10.14% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 553 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 expert score of 8.33/10. 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, fuel efficiency, comfortable seats, and standard advanced safety features. It’s especially appealing if you value everyday usability and extra confidence in poor weather.

The trade-offs are clear: styling is uninspired, performance is sluggish, and the interior materials can feel cheap. Fit-and-finish questions also linger, so you should expect competence more than excitement.

With 32.2% 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 reliability case is helped by its practical design, standard all-wheel drive, and strong safety focus. The expert review also points to a well-rounded ownership experience built around comfort, efficiency, and everyday usability.

Its five-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty adds some reassurance for used buyers. Even so, you should still watch for signs of wear in the cabin and make sure the safety tech behaves the way you want it to.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should start with a history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has higher mileage or visible cosmetic wear. Pay close attention to cabin condition, panel fit, and whether the safety alerts and driver-assist features feel overly intrusive during a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base trim is the most stripped-down version, while Premium and higher trims add more desirable comfort and convenience features. If you want the best value, focus on the trim that gives you the equipment you’ll actually use without overpaying for extras.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine in the XT models makes 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. EyeSight Assist Monitor is also included, while reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring are available.
• Infotainment: Base models use dual 7-inch displays, while Premium and higher trims get a standard 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and higher trims add features like navigation, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
• 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, and it gives you the core Legacy formula with standard all-wheel drive and the basic safety and tech setup. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but you’ll miss out on some of the nicer convenience and infotainment upgrades.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen and a more polished feature set without jumping into luxury pricing. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to focus on.
• Sport: Choose this if you want a little more visual flair and wheel upgrade potential, but the content here still points to the Legacy’s comfort-first personality rather than a sporty driving experience.
• Limited: This trim adds more upscale comfort and convenience equipment, making it a good fit if you want a more refined daily driver and are willing to pay for it.
• Limited XT: This is the stronger choice if you want the turbocharged engine and more passing power. It suits you best if you regularly drive on highways, hills, or in situations where extra acceleration matters.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end choice for shoppers who want the most powerful version along with the richest equipment mix. It’s the pick if you want the most complete Legacy experience and don’t mind paying for it.

The standard EyeSight safety suite is a major plus across the lineup, but some safety and convenience features are reserved for higher trims or optional equipment.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 553 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.14% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,588, 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 $19,588 sits slightly below last year's $21,800.

That price drop suggests the Legacy has become more affordable for used buyers, which can help demand in the near term. For a future seller, it also means you may need to price competitively if you want to move the car quickly.

The model’s value proposition is still supported by standard all-wheel drive, strong safety credentials, and broad everyday usefulness. Those traits can help keep it appealing to shoppers who prioritize practicality over flash.

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. It was also named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and it 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 EyeSight system can be annoying because of frequent beeps and flashing, and the seat-belt monitoring system is very sensitive and 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:

• 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.14% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for standard all-wheel drive, strong safety credentials, and a practical, value-oriented setup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,704, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,588 average.
• It emphasizes practicality, efficiency, safety, and standard all-wheel drive.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger all-around package, the 2021 is the better pick because it combines standard AWD, solid safety, and a softer used-market price than last year. If your priority is saving money above all else, the 2020 is worth a look, especially if you find one in good condition with the features you need.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.