The 2021 Subaru Legacy enters the midsize sedan sector with symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD), a STARLINK-equipped infotainment centre, and an optional turbocharged 2.4-litre engine. The vehicle won’t receive any aesthetic upgrades for the new model year, as it was redesigned in 2020. However, Subaru’s latest inception includes new driver assistance features that help maintain its relevance in the passenger car market. 

What Is The 2021 Subaru Legacy?

The seventh-generation 2021 Subaru Legacy holds its own against its competition by excelling in three essential areas for sedan owners: proven reliability, driver assistance features, and AWD as standard equipment. The inclusion of AWD capabilities and an optional turbocharged engine helps the Legacy models stand out in the midsize market. In terms of safety, the four-door sedan received a Top Safety Pick badge from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It earned the highest possible scores for critical collision mitigation measures like collision avoidance, crashworthiness, and LATCH ease of use for car seat installation. 

While the features included in the Base Legacy are impressive, Subaru offers more advanced technology across a line of trim levels, including the Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT and Touring XT models. 

The manufacturer boasts that this year’s model is the quietest Legacy ever. Its nearly soundproof cabin is achieved with an acoustic windshield and available laminated front-side glass. Find out more about the exceptional handling, impressive technology, and safety features included in the 2021 lineup.  

What’s Under The 2021 Subaru Legacy’s Hood?

Subaru and Porsche are the most well-known modern automotive manufacturers that utilize the intricate boxer engines in their vehicles. Unlike a standard V6 or V8 motor, the cylinders lie flat, causing the pistons to pass each other like sparring boxers’ arms — hence the name. The engine’s unique design affords automakers the chance to mount it lower in the car to increase handling and steering, especially while cornering.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy includes two 4-cylinder engine options paired with an impressive, continuously variable transmission to complete the powertrain.

• The base model 2.5 4-cylinder motor creates 182 horsepower and delivers 176 lb-ft torque. Subaru states that the powertrain can achieve 27 mpg city and up to 35 highway, and estimates that a full tank can range nearly 650 miles during highway travel.
• An optional 2.4-litre turbocharged engine is available on some submodels. The direct-injection turbo boasts 260 horsepower and a stellar 277 lb-ft of torque. Owners must trade a slight decrease in fuel economy for the additional power, as it’s only rated for 24 mpg city, 32 highways, and 600 miles on a full tank.

The more powerful turbocharged engine is only available on the Limited XT and Touring XT model lineup.

How’s the 2021 Subaru Legacy Interior?

The design scheme inside the 2021 Subaru Legacy is acceptable but far from mind-blowing. The simple solid colours (Titanium Gray or Warm Ivory) and contrast stitching provide a contemporary appearance but lack the jaw-dropping style of other midsize competitors, such as the Kia K-5. You can upgrade the Sport model’s interior style to include red-contrast stitching or the attractive Nappa leather seats and accents found exclusively within the Touring XT trim.

The interior size of the midsize sedan is comparable to that of other vehicles in its class. It comfortably seats five passengers because of the spacious rear seat, offers storage in the door panels, and has a 15.1 cu. ft. trunk for additional cargo. While its boot is less impressive than cars like the 2021 Honda Accord (16.7 cu. ft.) and the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu (15.7 cu. ft.), it does feature a wide-opening hatch to make loading easier.

How’s the 2021 Subaru Legacy’s Tech?

While the 2021 Subaru Legacy interior may be considered bland by some, the infotainment centre gives it a high-tech edge. Each trim level above Base (the Base media centre is only 7.0 inches) features an 11.6-inch touchscreen orientated in portrait mode that includes settings for climate control and the stereo. Fortunately, the automaker also provides physical knobs for temperature adjustments, as navigating the touchscreen interface while driving can be difficult. 

Listening to music in the cabin is a five-star experience, as the sound is powered by a premier 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a dedicated centre subwoofer. If you find the Subaru system challenging to use, the software also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a more familiar user experience.

Safety and Subaru go hand in hand. The 2021 Subaru Legacy is exceptionally equipped with driver assistance features in a collection called EyeSight. This cutting-edge system is possible due to dual colour cameras installed near the rear-view mirror. These cameras work together to monitor the road for unexpected hazards or out-of-sight pedestrians. The EyeSight software is standard on all trim levels and includes support for automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, pre-collision throttle control, and sway warning. Also new this year as standard equipment are the steering-responsive LED headlights that follow curves and turns as you travel.

The Limited XT and Touring XT are stocked with the Subaru DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System for more advanced driver assistance features. The safety suite is also optional on the Limited trim. The software is packed with impressive technology that alerts drivers when the vehicle senses that they are tired or distracted. One of the most incredible things about DriverFocus is that it can recognize up to five different drivers and automatically resume their preferred seat status, temperature settings, and side-view mirror position.

Our Take on the 2021 Subaru Legacy

Sure, the 2021 Subaru Legacy didn’t see any substantial changes in the new model year, but the manufacturer did uphold its safety and dependability reputation. The standard safety features included in each model are incredibly generous and can help make highways safer places to travel. 

The lineup’s highlight is the lavish Touring XT model with its premium Nappa leather interior, turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder engine, and new, virtually soundproof cabin. The Subaru is also a smooth-operating midsize sedan, thanks to the symmetrical AWD system and its proven Global Platform chassis. We recommend choosing high-end Limited and Touring XT trims when looking for the 2021 Subaru Legacy with stellar reliability and the highest number of bells and whistles available.