Subaru Legacy (2025)
Comfortable, roomy, and confidently AWD-equipped, though more practical than sporty.
The 2025 Subaru Legacy is the sensible snow-day sedan, built for commuters and families who want confidence in bad weather without moving into an SUV. Its standard all-wheel drive claim is strongly backed by reviewers, who praise its visibility, stability, and reassuring grip. The cabin is quiet, roomy, and comfortable, while the available turbo makes highway passing genuinely easy. Still, the base engine feels strained, the CVT can hesitate or drone, and the handling is composed rather than sporty. At roughly $27,000 to $41,000, it offers compelling practicality, especially in the value-focused Premium trim, though newer hybrids are more efficient. Its overall recommendation rests on the balance of safety technology, comfort, AWD value, and final-year appeal.
Find Yours
What is your primary use for a gas-powered sedan or compact?
Answer to find your best matches.
The Field
Browse top contenders, or compare all options ranked by score and key attributes.
5 Options
The Scoreboard
Does this improve your life? Considers, health, habits, and environmental impact.
Benefits
Standard all-wheel drive makes rainy, snowy commutes feel steadier and less demanding.
Supportive seats, generous space, and a calm ride make commuting and road trips easier.
EyeSight driver assistance adds useful backup during traffic, highway driving, and poor visibility.
The available turbo engine makes merging and highway passing feel relaxed, not hurried.
Rear-seat room and a large trunk keep everyday family errands comfortably manageable.
Trade-Offs
At highway merges, the base engine and CVT can sound strained while acceleration arrives slowly.
When sudden acceleration is needed, the CVT may pause or drone before responding.
Occasionally slow screens make simple audio or climate adjustments take longer than expected.
Frequent alerts and automatic braking can interrupt parking or ordinary driving with extra beeps and corrections.
Alternatives
Join the Circle
Where real meets deal
Know what's worth buying-and when.
Tips, special offers, and rewards for buying and sharing.
Publications
4 LEADING PUBLICATION REVIEWS
Car and Driver views the 2025 Subaru Legacy favorably as practical transportation, though not an engaging sedan. It earns praise for its roomy, comfortable cabin, generous trunk, smooth ride, stable handling, abundant technology, standard all-wheel drive, and strong safety equipment. The turbocharged engine transforms performance, reaching 60 mph in 5.7 seconds in testing, while the base engine feels notably sluggish and the CVT reinforces the relaxed character. Fuel economy is acceptable but trails newer hybrid rivals, especially the Toyota Camry. The Legacy’s understated interior and unremarkable styling are serviceable rather than inspiring, and the Honda Accord and Kia K5 offer more driving excitement. With useful features and good value—particularly in the Sport trim—it remains a sensible choice for comfortable A-to-B travel, but enthusiasts should look elsewhere, especially as Subaru prepares to retire the model after 2025.
By Drew Dorian
Kelley Blue Book’s Russ Heaps views the 2025 Subaru Legacy favorably, though not without reservations. Its standout advantage is standard all-wheel drive across the lineup, paired with competitive pricing, a comfortable and roomy cabin, strong safety technology, and respectable fuel economy. The Legacy is especially appealing for families and drivers in snowy or hilly regions, while its nearly 40 inches of rear legroom and easy-to-live-with features add practical value. Still, the base engine feels noisy and uneven, the optional turbo is costly but worthwhile, and the interior lacks the refinement of newer rivals. The touchscreen takes some adjustment, trunk space is merely average, and the styling is forgettable. Heaps also flags the Legacy’s mixed IIHS results under newer tests. Overall, it is a sensible, safe, comfortable value—more compelling for practicality than excitement—made more urgent by its impending discontinuation.
By Russ Heaps
Car and Driver views the 2025 Subaru Legacy favorably as practical transportation, though not an engaging sedan. It earns praise for its roomy, comfortable cabin, generous trunk, smooth ride, stable handling, abundant technology, standard all-wheel drive, and strong safety equipment. The turbocharged engine transforms performance, reaching 60 mph in 5.7 seconds in testing, while the base engine feels notably sluggish and the CVT reinforces the relaxed character. Fuel economy is acceptable but trails newer hybrid rivals, especially the Toyota Camry. The Legacy’s understated interior and unremarkable styling are serviceable rather than inspiring, and the Honda Accord and Kia K5 offer more driving excitement. With useful features and good value—particularly in the Sport trim—it remains a sensible choice for comfortable A-to-B travel, but enthusiasts should look elsewhere, especially as Subaru prepares to retire the model after 2025.
By Drew Dorian
Kelley Blue Book’s Russ Heaps views the 2025 Subaru Legacy favorably, though not without reservations. Its standout advantage is standard all-wheel drive across the lineup, paired with competitive pricing, a comfortable and roomy cabin, strong safety technology, and respectable fuel economy. The Legacy is especially appealing for families and drivers in snowy or hilly regions, while its nearly 40 inches of rear legroom and easy-to-live-with features add practical value. Still, the base engine feels noisy and uneven, the optional turbo is costly but worthwhile, and the interior lacks the refinement of newer rivals. The touchscreen takes some adjustment, trunk space is merely average, and the styling is forgettable. Heaps also flags the Legacy’s mixed IIHS results under newer tests. Overall, it is a sensible, safe, comfortable value—more compelling for practicality than excitement—made more urgent by its impending discontinuation.
By Russ Heaps
YouTube
14 LEADING EXPERT & INFLUENCER REVIEWS
Matt Maran MotoringMatt Maran Motoring is warmly positive about the 2025 Subaru Legacy, especially as a comfortable, spacious, turbocharged AWD cruiser. He praises its exceptionally plush seats, quiet ride, visibility, standard EyeSight safety technology, and unusual standard CD player, while calling the Touring XT a compelling alternative to a WRX for buyers who prioritize power over sportiness. However, the CVT’s delayed, occasionally confused power delivery, intrusive stop-start and alerts, conservative styling, mediocre fuel economy, and heavily understeering handling limit its appeal. Overall, he sees the Legacy as an excellent value and commuter, but a disappointing successor to Subaru’s sportier past.
Sarah -n- TunedSarah-n-Tuned gives the 2025 Subaru Legacy XT a warmly enthusiastic sendoff, calling it an unfairly discontinued “really good car.” She praises its quick turbocharged power, smooth ride, strong grip, comfortable ventilated Nappa seats, spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy, and roughly $38,000 fully loaded value. Her hands-on testing reveals a solid, low-center-of-gravity platform that feels lighter than its weight, though she dislikes the CVT and wishes Subaru had offered a final manual-transmission edition. Overbearing but defeatable safety systems, especially automatic backup braking, are the main practical complaint.
Matt Maran MotoringMatt Maran Motoring is warmly positive about the 2025 Subaru Legacy, especially as a comfortable, spacious, turbocharged AWD cruiser. He praises its exceptionally plush seats, quiet ride, visibility, standard EyeSight safety technology, and unusual standard CD player, while calling the Touring XT a compelling alternative to a WRX for buyers who prioritize power over sportiness. However, the CVT’s delayed, occasionally confused power delivery, intrusive stop-start and alerts, conservative styling, mediocre fuel economy, and heavily understeering handling limit its appeal. Overall, he sees the Legacy as an excellent value and commuter, but a disappointing successor to Subaru’s sportier past.
Sarah -n- TunedSarah-n-Tuned gives the 2025 Subaru Legacy XT a warmly enthusiastic sendoff, calling it an unfairly discontinued “really good car.” She praises its quick turbocharged power, smooth ride, strong grip, comfortable ventilated Nappa seats, spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy, and roughly $38,000 fully loaded value. Her hands-on testing reveals a solid, low-center-of-gravity platform that feels lighter than its weight, though she dislikes the CVT and wishes Subaru had offered a final manual-transmission edition. Overbearing but defeatable safety systems, especially automatic backup braking, are the main practical complaint.
Matt Maran MotoringMatt Maran Motoring is warmly positive about the 2025 Subaru Legacy, especially as a comfortable, spacious, turbocharged AWD cruiser. He praises its exceptionally plush seats, quiet ride, visibility, standard EyeSight safety technology, and unusual standard CD player, while calling the Touring XT a compelling alternative to a WRX for buyers who prioritize power over sportiness. However, the CVT’s delayed, occasionally confused power delivery, intrusive stop-start and alerts, conservative styling, mediocre fuel economy, and heavily understeering handling limit its appeal. Overall, he sees the Legacy as an excellent value and commuter, but a disappointing successor to Subaru’s sportier past.
Sarah -n- TunedSarah-n-Tuned gives the 2025 Subaru Legacy XT a warmly enthusiastic sendoff, calling it an unfairly discontinued “really good car.” She praises its quick turbocharged power, smooth ride, strong grip, comfortable ventilated Nappa seats, spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy, and roughly $38,000 fully loaded value. Her hands-on testing reveals a solid, low-center-of-gravity platform that feels lighter than its weight, though she dislikes the CVT and wishes Subaru had offered a final manual-transmission edition. Overbearing but defeatable safety systems, especially automatic backup braking, are the main practical complaint.
Matt Maran MotoringMatt Maran Motoring is warmly positive about the 2025 Subaru Legacy, especially as a comfortable, spacious, turbocharged AWD cruiser. He praises its exceptionally plush seats, quiet ride, visibility, standard EyeSight safety technology, and unusual standard CD player, while calling the Touring XT a compelling alternative to a WRX for buyers who prioritize power over sportiness. However, the CVT’s delayed, occasionally confused power delivery, intrusive stop-start and alerts, conservative styling, mediocre fuel economy, and heavily understeering handling limit its appeal. Overall, he sees the Legacy as an excellent value and commuter, but a disappointing successor to Subaru’s sportier past.
Sarah -n- TunedSarah-n-Tuned gives the 2025 Subaru Legacy XT a warmly enthusiastic sendoff, calling it an unfairly discontinued “really good car.” She praises its quick turbocharged power, smooth ride, strong grip, comfortable ventilated Nappa seats, spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy, and roughly $38,000 fully loaded value. Her hands-on testing reveals a solid, low-center-of-gravity platform that feels lighter than its weight, though she dislikes the CVT and wishes Subaru had offered a final manual-transmission edition. Overbearing but defeatable safety systems, especially automatic backup braking, are the main practical complaint.
Matt Maran MotoringMatt Maran Motoring is warmly positive about the 2025 Subaru Legacy, especially as a comfortable, spacious, turbocharged AWD cruiser. He praises its exceptionally plush seats, quiet ride, visibility, standard EyeSight safety technology, and unusual standard CD player, while calling the Touring XT a compelling alternative to a WRX for buyers who prioritize power over sportiness. However, the CVT’s delayed, occasionally confused power delivery, intrusive stop-start and alerts, conservative styling, mediocre fuel economy, and heavily understeering handling limit its appeal. Overall, he sees the Legacy as an excellent value and commuter, but a disappointing successor to Subaru’s sportier past.
Sarah -n- TunedSarah-n-Tuned gives the 2025 Subaru Legacy XT a warmly enthusiastic sendoff, calling it an unfairly discontinued “really good car.” She praises its quick turbocharged power, smooth ride, strong grip, comfortable ventilated Nappa seats, spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy, and roughly $38,000 fully loaded value. Her hands-on testing reveals a solid, low-center-of-gravity platform that feels lighter than its weight, though she dislikes the CVT and wishes Subaru had offered a final manual-transmission edition. Overbearing but defeatable safety systems, especially automatic backup braking, are the main practical complaint.
Matt Maran MotoringMatt Maran Motoring is warmly positive about the 2025 Subaru Legacy, especially as a comfortable, spacious, turbocharged AWD cruiser. He praises its exceptionally plush seats, quiet ride, visibility, standard EyeSight safety technology, and unusual standard CD player, while calling the Touring XT a compelling alternative to a WRX for buyers who prioritize power over sportiness. However, the CVT’s delayed, occasionally confused power delivery, intrusive stop-start and alerts, conservative styling, mediocre fuel economy, and heavily understeering handling limit its appeal. Overall, he sees the Legacy as an excellent value and commuter, but a disappointing successor to Subaru’s sportier past.
Sarah -n- TunedSarah-n-Tuned gives the 2025 Subaru Legacy XT a warmly enthusiastic sendoff, calling it an unfairly discontinued “really good car.” She praises its quick turbocharged power, smooth ride, strong grip, comfortable ventilated Nappa seats, spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy, and roughly $38,000 fully loaded value. Her hands-on testing reveals a solid, low-center-of-gravity platform that feels lighter than its weight, though she dislikes the CVT and wishes Subaru had offered a final manual-transmission edition. Overbearing but defeatable safety systems, especially automatic backup braking, are the main practical complaint.
Matt Maran MotoringMatt Maran Motoring is warmly positive about the 2025 Subaru Legacy, especially as a comfortable, spacious, turbocharged AWD cruiser. He praises its exceptionally plush seats, quiet ride, visibility, standard EyeSight safety technology, and unusual standard CD player, while calling the Touring XT a compelling alternative to a WRX for buyers who prioritize power over sportiness. However, the CVT’s delayed, occasionally confused power delivery, intrusive stop-start and alerts, conservative styling, mediocre fuel economy, and heavily understeering handling limit its appeal. Overall, he sees the Legacy as an excellent value and commuter, but a disappointing successor to Subaru’s sportier past.
Sarah -n- TunedSarah-n-Tuned gives the 2025 Subaru Legacy XT a warmly enthusiastic sendoff, calling it an unfairly discontinued “really good car.” She praises its quick turbocharged power, smooth ride, strong grip, comfortable ventilated Nappa seats, spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy, and roughly $38,000 fully loaded value. Her hands-on testing reveals a solid, low-center-of-gravity platform that feels lighter than its weight, though she dislikes the CVT and wishes Subaru had offered a final manual-transmission edition. Overbearing but defeatable safety systems, especially automatic backup braking, are the main practical complaint.
Forum Reviews
CUSTOMER REVIEWS FROM 1 FORUM
Redditors are broadly enthusiastic about the 2025 Subaru Legacy, especially its value, comfort, and turbocharged performance. Owners describe the Sport as a quick, practical sleeper with responsive handling, a well-tuned CVT, roomy seating, AWD, and excellent long-distance comfort. The 2025 model also benefits from shared parts and strong support despite being discontinued, making the final production year appealing to buyers seeking a deal. Criticisms include uninspiring base-engine performance, slow steering and softer dynamics than a WRX, polarizing wheels and styling details, occasional transmission or reliability concerns, and mediocre standard audio. Overall, sentiment is strongly positive, with many urging shoppers to buy before remaining inventory disappears.
Many comments
In-Depth Review
Highlights
- •Standard All-Wheel DriveDesigned for traction across varied weather.
- •Turbocharged Passing PowerTurbo delivers brisk, relaxed acceleration.
- •Comfortable, Quiet RideSmooth suspension reduces fatigue on longer trips.
- •Roomy Passenger CabinGenerous rear legroom accommodates adult passengers.
Considerations
- •Sluggish Base AccelerationThe 182-hp engine strains during highway merges.
- •CVT Response DelaysHard acceleration can bring hesitation and droning.
- •Relaxed Handling CharacterBody roll and light steering limit cornering engagement.
- •Overeager Safety AlertsFrequent warnings and braking corrections interrupt driving.
Subaru’s final Legacy is a sensible counterpoint to today’s SUV-heavy market, pairing the brand’s safety reputation with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive in a conventional midsize sedan. It is aimed at commuters, families, and snow-belt drivers who want calm daily transportation, useful space, and weather confidence without paying for a crossover. The available 260-hp turbocharged BOXER engine changes the car’s pace considerably, while the standard engine favors efficiency and routine errands. Reviews consistently frame the Legacy as comfortable and composed rather than genuinely sporty, so the smooth, quiet ride matters more than aggressive cornering. Inside, supportive seating and 39.5 inches of rear legroom make longer trips easy, and the trunk keeps everyday hauling practical. Before deciding, weigh its fuel economy, utility, and CVT behavior against newer hybrids and sharper rivals—the Legacy’s charm is less fireworks than dependable traction, so the following sections show where that trade-off works best.
Engine And Acceleration
The powertrain choice determines whether the Legacy feels merely adequate or pleasantly quick. The standard 182-hp 2.5-liter BOXER four-cylinder handles routine commuting, but reviewers commonly describe it as slow, noisy, and strained during highway merges. The 260-hp 2.4-liter turbo BOXER is the better match for loaded trips and passing, with Car and Driver recording 0–60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Both use a CVT, which supports smooth cruising but can hesitate, drone, or feel disconnected when you demand sudden acceleration.
Cabin Space And Comfort
The Legacy’s cabin is one of its most dependable strengths. Supportive seats, clear sightlines, and 39.5 inches of rear legroom make it unusually accommodating for adult passengers, while the quiet ride reduces fatigue on longer journeys. Higher trims add features such as ventilated Nappa leather seats in the Touring XT, and reviewers generally find the interior comfortable and premium enough for its price. The trade-off is presentation: bland styling, dated-looking controls, and occasional touchscreen sluggishness keep it from feeling as polished as newer competitors.
Ride And Handling
The Legacy prioritizes composure and comfort over sporty responses. Its smooth, forgiving suspension and low-center-of-gravity BOXER layout produce a stable, quiet ride that suits commuting and long highway trips. The Sport adds a sport-tuned suspension, sharper responses, and turbo power, but reviews still note body roll, light or numb steering, and substantial understeer compared with a WRX or more athletic rivals. That relaxed setup is a strength for daily usability, though buyers seeking eager cornering or a manual-like connection may find the CVT and conservative chassis disappointing.
Trunk Capacity And Utility
The Legacy offers useful family-car practicality without switching to an SUV. Its 15.1-cubic-foot trunk provides solid room for groceries, luggage, and everyday gear, while the wide opening makes loading easier than the number alone suggests. The five-seat layout and generous rear seating support family errands and road trips, and the 18.5-gallon fuel tank helps extend time between stops. It is not as versatile as a hatchback or crossover, and some reviewers consider trunk space average, but for a conventional sedan it is an easy-to-live-with package.
All-Wheel-Drive Traction
Standard AWD is the Legacy’s defining advantage, giving every trim Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for steadier acceleration and confidence on wet, snowy, or hilly roads. Subaru’s claim is strongly supported by reviewers who repeatedly praise its all-weather stability and visibility, especially during severe-weather driving. It does not turn the sedan into an off-road vehicle, though, since its 5.9-inch ground clearance is modest. For snow-belt commuters who otherwise would need to pay extra for AWD, this is a genuinely useful feature rather than just a marketing distinction.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is respectable for a sedan with standard AWD, but it is not class-leading. The 2.5-liter models are rated up to 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, or 30 mpg combined, which supports practical commuting and long driving range. Turbo trims fall to roughly 23/31/26 mpg, yet reviewers still find that balance reasonable given the extra performance. The Legacy cannot match newer hybrid rivals such as the Camry, and real-world results can suffer when the turbo is driven hard, but regular unleaded and the lack of hybrid complexity help keep ownership straightforward.
Conclusion
The Legacy’s final act makes a clear case for the traditional sedan: standard AWD delivers reassuring traction, while the turbo engine supplies genuinely useful passing power; the base motor, however, is best reserved for patient commuters. Its quiet, comfortable ride and spacious cabin suit families and road-trippers, though light steering, body roll, and CVT hesitation disappoint anyone expecting WRX-like involvement. Fuel economy is respectable for an AWD car, but hybrids do better, and the practical trunk handles daily luggage without matching an SUV’s flexibility. Expert and owner feedback consistently frames it as dependable, roomy transportation rather than an exciting driver’s car. Choose the Premium for sensible value or the Sport/Touring XT for stronger performance. It earns its recommendation through traction, comfort, safety, and fair pricing—not polish or thrills—making it a particularly sensible final-year buy for all-weather buyers who still prefer a sedan.
Feature Scores
This reflects reviews and ratings from established critics, journalists, and users who have evaluated the item. Their opinions provide a comprehensive assessment.
Performance
Engine Power
4/5
Acceleration
4/5
Reliability & Durability
4/5
Handling & Ride Comfort
4/5
Braking Performance
4/5
Value
Purchase Price Competitiveness
4/5
Cost of Ownership
4/5
Resale Value
3/5
Feature Value
4/5
Design
Exterior Styling
3/5
Interior Ergonomics
4/5
Cargo Space
4/5
Infotainment Quality
3/5
Health
Cabin Air Quality
TBD
Material Toxicity
TBD
Safety
Crashworthiness
4/5
Active Safety Systems
5/5
Visibility & Lighting
4/5
Child Occupant Protection
4/5
Sustainability
Fuel Efficiency
4/5
Tailpipe Emissions
3/5
Recyclability
TBD
Manufacturing Footprint
TBD
Experience Style
Driver Engagement
3/5
Customization Options
3/5
Ease of Use
4/5
Ownership Convenience
4/5
Specifications
This section outlines the product's key facts, covering essential features, details, dimensions, materials, and any unique characteristics that define its functionality and usability.
Performance
Value
Design
Safety
Sustainability
Experience Style
Frequently Asked Questions
8 Questions
Find Yours
What is your primary use for a gas-powered sedan or compact?
Answer to find your best matches.
