Subaru Legacy

Name: 2003 Subaru Legacy
Brand: Subaru

EPA MPG: 25 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 25 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 15 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 15 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 15 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 15 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Legacy delivers a supple ride and handles with the agility of a European sports sedan, but it is not as forgiving at its handling limits. All-wheel drive is an advantage in slippery conditions, but takes its toll on acceleration and fuel economy.

2003 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

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Subaru Legacy

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Subaru vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Subaru vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Subaru vs. Other New Car Brands

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2003 Midsized cars Ratings

2003 Subaru Legacy

$3,025 - $4,100

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Chevrolet Malibu

$2,850 - $2,925

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2003 Chrysler Sebring

$2,900 - $3,075

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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2003 Honda Accord

$3,475 - $4,650

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2003 Hyundai Sonata

$3,025

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2003 Kia Optima

$2,900 - $2,925

EPA MPG NA

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Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mazda 6

$3,050 - $3,200

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mitsubishi Galant

$2,850 - $2,900

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2003 Nissan Altima

$2,900 - $3,150

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

$3,100 - $3,850

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2003 Saab 9-5

$2,975 - $3,100

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Camry

$4,150 - $4,600

EPA MPG NA

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2003 Volkswagen Passat

$2,975 - $4,350

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

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Features & Specs

wagon

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD

2.5-liter 4 (165 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2020-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned 2020 Legacy provides a comfortable ride that outshines some luxury cars. Handling is responsive but not sporty. This all-wheel-drive sedan is fitted with a choice of two four-cylinder engines: a 182-hp 2.5-liter or a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter. The standard engine is adequate but makes an unpleasant roar when pushed. It provides a decent 28 mpg overall. The turbo version delivers strong acceleration and is quieter. We like that the well-tuned CVT mimics the shift patterns of conventional automatics. Unfortunately, the large infotainment screen requires users to wade into menus to perform some common tasks. Standard equipment includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, but blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning are optional. Starting with the 2021 model year, steering responsive headlights, which are designed to swivel according to steering input to give added visibility in corners, are standard on all trims. Changes for 2022 include standard blind spot warning and reverse automatic braking on the Sport model. For 2025, the Limited trim receives a standard power moonroof, heated steering wheel, navigation, and DriverFocus distraction mitigation system. 2025 is the final year for the Legacy.

2015-2019

2015 Redesign Year

The Legacy's 2015 redesign delivered welcome refinement to an already roomy and accommodating mid-sized sedan. The car simply does everything well. The redesign improved interior quality, added contemporary connectivity from a new touchscreen infotainment system, and made the car one of the best-riding sedans available. Two engine choices are available, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that returns 26 mpg overall, impressive given the standard all-wheel-drive, and a smooth 3.6-liter six. Both engines are mated to a continuously-variable transmission (CVT); gone is the optional manual. Handling is responsive. The spacious and quiet cabin provides plenty of room for the driver, along with a large rear seat, and simple controls. The infotainment system, long a Subaru weak spot, finally was brought up to date. Large windows and thin roof pillars supply excellent outward visibility, helped by a standard backup camera and optional blind-spot monitoring. Crash-test results are top-notch, and Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety gear includes desirable features like forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

2010-2014

2010 Redesign Year

The Legacy's 2010 redesign transformed it into an accommodating and easy-to-live-with all-wheel-drive family sedan. Despite a considerable increase in size, fuel economy improved markedly, jumping to 25-26 mpg overall in our tests with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Some credit for that goes to the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that replaced Subaru's outdated automatics, aiding both efficiency and acceleration. Too bad the CVT emphasizes engine noise when accelerating or merging. A 3.6-liter six-cylinder with a five-speed automatic is an option, delivering smooth and easy power, along with 22 mpg overall. This satisfying engine choice makes the Legacy feel like a budget luxury car, pairing with the sedan's very impressive ride quality and a quiet interior. Handling lost some agility from the previous generation, but the Legacy remained more fun to drive than the average sedan, with quick steering turn-in. Despite standard stability control, emergency handling could still be sloppy. Suspension revisions for 2013 improved emergency handling, but overly hurt the ride; it went from being great to just good. Controls are simple and the rear seat is spacious. The 2013 update also brought Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety gear. This option includes forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, highly desirable safety features, but you'll only find it on loaded-up Legacy models.

2005-2009

2005 Redesign Year

Think of this generation of the Legacy as a budget-priced European sports sedan or wagon, with a Japanese nameplate. Handling is excellent, with pinpoint steering that delivers direct feedback, making the car feel lively and agile to drive. But this is no hard-edged sports car, with a supple ride that soaks up bad roads. All of this makes the Legacy a particularly well-rounded performer. It's not perfect though; the tail can slide easily in emergency maneuvers. Electronic stability control helps, but it didn't become readily available until 2008, finally becoming standard for 2009. Power from the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder is adequate, but nothing more. Expect 23 mpg overall from this engine, partly a consequence of its dated four-speed automatic, and partly due to the added weight of the standard all-wheel-drive system. A five-speed automatic was also available. Legacy 2.5GT and Spec B models have a more entertaining 2.5-liter turbocharged four, but fuel economy suffers for the fun. A smooth 3.0-liter six-cylinder was also available. Both four-cylinders were available with a manual transmission, but the six-cylinder was automatic only. Inside, the interior is rather well finished and controls are simple. Large windows, a low dashboard, and thin roof pillars deliver easy driver visibility. Front seats are well-sculpted and supportive, but the front cabin is fairly snug and rear seat legroom is rather tight. The Legacy wagon was dropped after 2007, a victim of the similar Outback wagon's overwhelming popularity.

2000-2004

2000 Redesign Year

Thanks to its roomy interior, comfortable ride, and nimble handling, the Subaru Legacy sedan has been a top performer for many years. Standard all-wheel-drive aids winter traction. Driving the Legacy is a delight, with its steering providing excellent feel and feedback. Emergency handling can be a handful, but stability control is not available on this generation of the Legacy. Acceleration from the 2.5-liter four is adequate, but not quick. Expect 22 mpg overall. Some useful interior features, like a folding rear seatback or height-adjustable driver seat, are only found on higher-trim versions. Interior ambiance is fairly drab, and the front seats are fairly narrow, but the wagon has a very spacious cargo area.