Reliable versions of the Subaru Legacy include the 2025, 2009, and 2018 model years. Meanwhile, 2015 and 2010 Legacy models are known to have more issues.
Subaru discontinued its famous Legacy sedan in 2025, ending the story of one of the brand’s most foundational vehicles and its longest-running nameplate after more than 35 years. And though you won’t find them in Subaru showrooms anymore, a used Legacy can still be an appealing car purchase for many different reasons.
For starters, Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is always something that made the Legacy stand out from its primarily front-wheel-drive competition. Also, that drivetrain helped the Legacy become the base for the Subaru Outback, which would eventually outlive and outsell the sedan that it was based on. For driving enthusiasts, at certain points, there were also performance-oriented versions of the Legacy that were more in line with a grown-up version of the Subaru WRX.
While looking at a used Legacy as a daily driver today, you’ve got a lot of different options to choose from. Subaru made the car across seven generations, with a variety of different engines and transmissions. With a bit of research and discretion, a used Legacy can be a great car that outperforms its rivals in situations like bad weather. That being said, it’s only natural that some Legacy models come more recommended than others. We’ve consulted several sources to single out three of the best model years for the Legacy, along with two that you will probably want to avoid. Best: 2025 Subaru Legacy
If you are looking for a used Legacy that’s going to give you the smoothest ownership experience right off the bat, one from the 2025 model year is the most straightforward recommendation. This is for the simple fact that, at time of writing, it’s still virtually a brand-new car, likely with a full factory warranty to back any potential issues. But even apart from the inherent « newness » of the ’25 Legacy, it’s a car that’s earned high marks for reliability in its class from organizations like JD Power.
Being the final model year of the seventh-generation also means Subaru should have worked out most of the kinks from earlier models. You can also get some extra peace of mind knowing that the drivetrains are virtually identical to those in many of the crossover vehicles that the Japanese automaker still produces.
By the final years of its existence, many would say the Legacy had lost some of the character that made its earlier iterations more interesting. Our review of the 2025 Legacy found the car to make up for in value what it lacked in excitement. It might be gone from the new market, but when it comes to its core mission of being a safe, spacious mid-sized sedan with proven AWD capability, the seventh-generation model gets high marks.
