by Michael Butler
The 2021 Subaru Legacy is a midsize sedan that faces competitors such as the universally loved Toyota Camry and the highly capableHonda Accord. For 2021, the Legacy gets a few more safety features but remains primarily unchanged. That means you get to pick between a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated flat-four motor producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. An all-wheel drivetrain is standard, while a CVT does the work of shifting the gears. The Legacy is spacious and comfortable but isn't the most exciting thing to drive or look at, which is exactly why we think some people will adore it. Long live the low-key.
After entering its seventh generation in 2019, the 4-door Subaru has received minor updates. For the 2021 model year, a few safety enhancements have been added to the Legacy sedan to stave off the competition and maintain a good reliability and safety rating. All trims now receive steering-responsive LED headlights, a front/rear passenger seat belt reminder, and a rear-seat reminder. The latter system can remind the driver to check the back seat prior to exiting the vehicle and helps to prevent child and/or pet entrapment. The only other change is the addition of a new Brilliant Bronze metallic color for the Premium model.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base |
2.5L Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$22,895 |
| Premium |
2.5L Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$25,145 |
| Sport |
2.5L Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$27,095 |
| Limited |
2.5L Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$29,895 |
| Limited XT |
2.4L Turbo Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$34,445 |
The 2021 Legacy doesn't have to act as an active lifestyle type of vehicle: that's what its mechanically similar sibling, the Outback station wagon, is for. The Legacy takes on a more suburban-friendly approach and competes with other middle-management fare such as the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. The Legacy is perfect for those who want to attract as little attention as possible, all while enjoying a well-built and comfortable sedan. Safety is a big pro too, as shown in the IIHS' review of the 2021 Subaru Legacy, which resulted in a Top Safety Pick+ award. Still, competitors such as the Accord offer a more thrilling driving experience and arguably more attractive styling. We appreciate the Legacy's standard AWD and plethora of driver assistance tech, though. The turbocharged 2.4-liter engine is the one to go for and delivers a strong surge of power partly thanks to a CVT transmission keeping things in the sweet spot. It's not the most exciting car in the USA, but sometimes that's exactly what people want.
The price of the 2021 Subaru Legacy sedan starts at $22,895 and tops out at $36,145, so there is something for every budget. If you're content with the power on offer from the base 2.5-liter engine, then we would recommend looking at the Legacy Premium. The Premium adds just enough features over the base model to make it a comfortable daily driver without breaking the bank. Standard features include LED steering-responsive headlights, heated power-adjustable front seats, a leather steering wheel, keyless access, dual-zone climate control, and driver assistance tech such as pre-collision braking, lane departure, and sway warning. Going the turbo route will cost you at least $10k more, so you might as well go for the Legacy Touring XT, which comes with all the bells and whistles.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Subaru Legacy:
Check out some informative Subaru Legacy video reviews below.
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