photo byBernard ChamaopDe-splash
Subaruhas built a brand of robust and all-round vehicles. One of Subaru's main selling points is the standard four-wheel drive, making their cars the go-to choice for many outdoor junkies and shoppers who want a reliable, rugged vehicle. That said, one of Subaru's longest-running flagship models is the Legacy midsize sedan.
If you're looking for a reliable sedan that offers a mix of passenger space, luggage space and fuel economy, the Subaru Legacy is undoubtedly worth a look. But with so many model years to choose from, you're probably wondering what the most reliable Subaru Legacy year is.
For today's post, we're looking at some of the recent Subaru Legacy generations and picking out the most reliable model years and the ones you might avoid. Let's see.
Subaru legacy from 2000-2004
The third-generation Legacy is a good lineup for those looking for a well-rounded, high-performance mid-sized sedan. Handling and steering are excellent, and the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine is adequate but nothing exciting. The best part is that all of these models have AWD as standard for better winter traction.
For this generation, we recommend checking out the 2004 Legacy, the most reliable model of the bunch. With decent fuel economy and reliability, the 2004 model is certainly the most reliable Subaru Legacy year for this generation. For a used model you are looking at a price range of €3,050 – €4,150, which offers spectacular value for money.
Another notable model for this generation is the 2000 Legacy. Although older and basic in appearance, the 2000 Legacy is a reliable mid-sized sedan and an excellent first car for young drivers. With an average price between $2,900 – $2,975, you get a lot of car for the price.
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2005-2009 Subaru-erfenis
The years 2005-2009 were also friendly to the Legacy sedan, with a few notable model years in terms of reliability. This Legacy generation has good handling and precise steering, with a relatively smooth ride, even on rougher roads. Also worth noting is that this generation marked the discontinuation of the 2007 Legacy wagon due to the rising popularity of the Subaru Outback.
Most Legacy models of this generation are reliable. For the most reliable Subaru Legacy year in this range, we recommend choosing the 2006 and 2007 model years due to their excellent reliability ratings and fuel economy. BothSubaru Legacy from 2006 and 2007models received the "Seal of Awesome" award from CarComplaints.com.
Meanwhile, the 2009 model is one of theworst Legacy years to avoid, due to many reliability issues. To begin with, many drivers complained about engine failures on this model. Some reported that the engine failure happened out of the blue. Leaking head gaskets were also common for this model year.
THE SUBARU LEGACY YEARS TO AVOID
We've taken a look at some of the worstSubaru Legacy years to avoidso you can make an informed purchasing decision.
Subaru legacy from 2010-2014
The fifth-generation Legacy was noted as one of the best series for the midsize sedan. In 2010, the Legacy was known as a compliant and easy-to-use family sedan. So what is the most reliable Subaru Legacy year of this generation?
Honestly, it's hard to go wrong with any fifth-generation Legacy model. However, if you want to avoid models from this batch, the years 2010 and 2011 might be worth skipping. The 2010 Legacy suffered from headlight failures and the CVT transmission proved to be quite a headache for many owners. Meanwhile, the 2011 Legacy was more of a repeat of the 2010 model in terms of reliability issues. It still had the annoying problem with the headlights and transmission problems.
As for the good years, the 2013 Legacy is oneCR Recommended Choice by Consumer Reportswith a confidence score of 4.0 out of 5.0 – although it had a lower customer satisfaction score of 2.0 out of 5.0. It did a great job on common reliability issues such as the engine, transmission and drive system.
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Subaru-erfenis 2015-2019
The sixth generation of the Legacy brought a welcome refinement to an already very practical family sedan. It had an improved interior, spacious passenger compartment and a high ride quality.
As for the models to avoid, we've marked the 2015 Legacy as one of the models to avoid simply because of the many complaints from drivers. It's worth noting, though, that this is still an excellent used mid-size saloon, and the issues were mostly minor. It's also a recommended model by Consumer Reports, so it's still worth checking out for a reasonable price.
As for our top picks, this generation had two of the best Legacy models you can buy pre-owned: the 2016 and 2017 years. For starters, the 2016 model is recommended by Consumer Reports with a perfect reliability rating and a customer satisfaction rating of 3, 0 out of 5.0. In addition, CR cited many highlights for this model, including excellent visibility and standard AWD.
Also recommended by CR, the 2017 is also a great used family sedan that shares many positive attributes with the 2016 model year.
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2020-present Subaru Legacy
The current generation Legacy is one of the most attractive sedan series on the market. At this point, Subaru knows more than what it's doing and has made the Legacy a staple in the midsize sedan segment.
That said, the year 2020 is one of our top picks for the best Legacy models. Many of the previous Subaru sedan reliability issues have been addressed. Now you have a solid all-rounder with a spacious interior, technical upgrades and improved safety features.
In addition, the 2021 is also a highly rated family sedan that has earned the 'CR Recommended' badge. It scored 4.0 out of 5.0 in reliability and 3.0 out of 5.0 in customer satisfaction. Best of all, the 2020 and 2021 model years have a fuel efficiency rating of 28 mpg – which is fantastic in today's skyrocketing gas prices.
That concludes our roundup of the most reliable Subaru Legacy year in every generation. Overall, the Legacy is a very reliable sedan with a top-notch value proposition. Be sure to choose the correct model year to avoid future headaches.
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