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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $21,907–$27,931 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.6/10, the 2020 Subaru Legacy earns a Recommended rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.2/10, while Technology at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 8.2/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.2/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.9/10 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 6.3/10 — 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 $21,907–$27,931, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru Legacy sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value lands at 7.9/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: Think of the 2020 Subaru Legacy as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in performance and technology are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
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 2020 Subaru Legacy ranks #494 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 62% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $21,907 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 21%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Subaru Legacy scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.6 — 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 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $21,907 | |
| 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.
| Back over prevention / Display function 10/12/2020 · 20V766000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with "high" grade and "mid" grade multimedia navigation. The August 2020 over-the-air software update may have timed out without completing the installation,… |
|---|---|
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 09/12/2021 · 21V955000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped. |
| 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. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Pedals and linkages 18/09/2019 · 19V664000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles. The brake pedal mounting bracket may have a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt. |
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 08/07/2022 · 22V485000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped. |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.