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What do our experts think of the 2021 Subaru Legacy? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2021 Subaru Legacy?
With a nameplate that has been on the market for over 30 years, the 2021 Subaru Legacy continues the, uh, legacy of being an AWD-only midsize sedan with a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine. Read our Car Engines Explained article for more detail on this “boxer” layout. A new seventh-generation Legacy was unveiled in 2020 and so, 2021 updates are mild. Steering Responsive LED high and low beam headlamps are now standard across the lineup as is a seat belt reminder for all seats and Rear Seat Reminder to prevent child and pet entrapment. On Premium models and above, Brilliant Bronze Metallic is added to the exterior color palette.
2021 Subaru Legacy – media.subaru.com | Shop 2021 Subaru Legacy on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Punchy turbocharged motor
Snappy tan Nappa leather upholstery
Huge 11.6-inch infotainment screen
Poky base motor
No wireless charging
Bland styling
Legacy continues plugging away
2021 Legacy Specs
- 182 horsepower from base engine
- 176 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 15.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system
- Set boundary, speed, and curfew alerts
- No mileage limit on 5-year rust coverage
2021 Subaru Legacy Powertrain
As with nearly all Subarus, the 2021 Legacy has standard AWD and a horizontally opposed, or “boxer”, four-cylinder engine. In base form, it displaces 2.4 liters to produce 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. XT models feature a turbocharged 2.5L version turned up to 260 hp and 277 torques. Both engines have a dual active valve control system and are paired with a continuously variable transmission that features an 8-speed manual shift mode with steering wheel paddles to channel your inner racecar driver. You can learn more about this type of transmission here.
Active torque vectoring is also standard equipment, the better to control traction across the four-corner independent suspension. The 2021 Legacy shares running gear with its Outback stablemate –whose history you can read here – sans the lifted stance and rugged appearance. As a traditional sedan, the Legacy is all about a pleasant, paved surface ride though the AWD is useful in foul weather.
If you do pine for power, the turbocharged XT engine is nearly two seconds faster to 60 mph in period testing, ensuring a bit more verve in your daily commute. Check out our turbocharger vs. supercharger article to learn more about this forced induction engine.
2021 Subaru Legacy Fuel Economy & MPG
With the base 2.4L motor, a 2021 Subaru Legacy is rated for 27 mpg in city driving and 35 on the highway, which is not bad for an AWD vehicle. With the 18.5-gallon gas tank, you’re looking at a nearly 650-mile highway range. The more potent turbocharged mill only drops those figures to 24 and 32 mpg, respectively. It also runs on 87 octane, which is worth keeping in mind considering current gas prices.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Boasting 39.5 inches of back seat legroom, the five-passenger 2021 Legacy keeps it comfortable for more than just kids. That is nearly five inches more space than the 2022 Hyundai Sonata that we compare to the Legacy here. The Legacy’s trunk has 15 cubic feet of volume and longer objects can be accommodated with the 60-40 split-fold rear seats. There is also an underfloor storage tray in the cargo area for keeping your valuables out of sight.
Simple cloth fabric in black, gray or ivory is found on the lower end of the Legacy trim hierarchy, giving way to two-tone cloth with red stitching on Sport models. A trio of leather color options is included for both Limited trims but you’ll need the top-spec Limited XT to access the handsome dark tan Nappa leather upholstery. Heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard amenities on Legacy Premium and above but once again, only the Touring XT comes with high-end features like ventilated front buckets.
Entertainment & Technology
On every 2021 Subaru Legacy, Base models excepted, a large 11.6-inch touch- and-gesture-sensitive display handles infotainment duty. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring tech is included here and on the Base Legacy, that has a pair of stacked 7-inch infotainment screens. On Premium models, and above, Subaru’s Starlink connectivity allows remote access to door locks, a vehicle locator and Curfew Alert via smartphone app. An available 12-speaker, 576-watt stereo system developed with Harman Kardon will please the audiophiles and as you move through the Legacy trim levels, there is Wi-Fi capability, back seat USB ports, integrated navigation and a 180° front view monitor.
Safety Features
EyeSight, Subaru’s brand name for their basket of active driver aids, features Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Pre-Collison Braking and Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keeping Assist as standard, along with High Beam Assist. Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Automatic Rear Braking are available as is DriverFocus, a system that monitors driver distraction and fatigue. These active safety nets are combined with eight standard airbags, which helps the 2021 Subaru Legacy earn a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.
2021 Subaru Legacy Trims & Pricing
Base – $23,820
New this year, the base 2021 Subaru Legacy features steering responsive LED headlamps that swivel based on steering input to better illuminate dark, curvy roads. Basic 17-inch steel wheels with hubcap are fitted outside and the interior is a simple gray fabric affair with four stereo speakers and dual front USB ports. There are no available packages but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included; managed by dual 7-inch infotainment screens.
Premium – $26,070
Black-finished, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors and access to Crimson Red and Brilliant Bronze paint are all on hand with the Premium trim. The cabin features heated front seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot and the 11.6- inch portrait-oriented infotainment display. For about $2600, you can add BSM with RCTA, push-button start, a moonroof and integrated navigation.
Sport – $28,020
A rear spoiler and 18-inch wheels complemented by LED fog lamps help the Legacy Sport earn its name. Red contrast stitching on the two-tone fabric seats spices up the interior that comes with a power-adjustable driver’s seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
Limited – $30,820
Top of the naturally aspirated Legacy food chain, Limited models are outfitted with body-colored side mirrors, leather upholstery in your choice of black, gray or ivory and heated rear seats. A 12-speaker stereo from Harman Kardon is included though you’ll need to shell out $2045 if you want a moonroof, heated steering wheel and driver attention monitor.
Limited XT – $35,370
One of two 2021 Subaru Legacy’s with the turbocharged motor, Limited XT trim features dual stainless-steel exhaust outlets, a moonroof and heated steering wheel. Navigation is integrated into the infotainment system and DriverFocus, the driver attention system is included.
Touring XT – $37,070
Top-dog Touring XT is both fast and fancy with satin chrome-finished and power-folding exterior mirrors, a 180° front view monitor, dark tan-colored Nappa leather hides and ventilated front seats. There are no optional packages at this level as the Touring XT is fully loaded.
Warranties
Subaru’s factory warranty ticks all the standard boxes but does not offer complimentary maintenance. The new car limited period runs 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain warranty is good for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
What we think
2021 Subaru Legacy – subaru.com | Shop 2021 Subaru Legacy on Carsforsale.com
If you live in the snow belt and are of the sedan mindset, a 2021 Subaru Legacy is a good place to start. The standard AWD setup is an obvious benefit and the spacious interior is nice regardless of how many people you typically tote about. The turbocharged motor has serious power, so it would be nice to see a little more styling pizazz on the XT models as the overall look is generally forgettable. For about $35,000, I would find myself in the Limited XT to capitalize on that boosted fun.
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