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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $20,413–$25,919 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2018 Subaru Legacy at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Technology at 6.4/10 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 7.8/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.6/10 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 6.4/10 — 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 $20,413–$25,919, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru Legacy sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.7/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 8 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 2018 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 2018 Subaru Legacy ranks #687 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 48% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $20,413 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 26%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Subaru Legacy scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.4 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $20,413 | |
| 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.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 29/07/2021 · 21V587000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. |
|---|---|
| Visibility / Rearview mirrors/devices 31/12/2018 · 18V935000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this… |
| Electrical system / Software 01/11/2018 · 18V773000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.