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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $14,400–$17,886 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Subaru Legacy at 6.9/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10, while Technology at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.4/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.6/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.3/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $14,400–$17,886, 16 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru Legacy sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.2/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2012 Subaru Legacy is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Subaru Legacy ranks #1118 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 15% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $14,400 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 48%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Legacy model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $25,641 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $24,895 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $24,148 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $23,401 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $22,654 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $21,907 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $21,160 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $20,413 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $19,667 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.3/10 | $18,920 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $18,173 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 7.1/10 | $15,749 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V009000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,… |
|---|---|
| Parking brake 13/09/2018 · 18V626000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V008000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V007000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,… |
| Electrical system / Ignition / Switch 11/04/2019 · 19V297000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key… |
Showing 5 of 16 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
