Makes›Subaru›Legacy›2019

2019 Subaru Legacy

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2019 models.

Subaru Legacy
Pictured: 2020 Subaru Legacy, front 10.1.20. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan 2.5i AWD, 4dr Sedan 3.6r AWD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
29 combined · 25 city / 34 hwy
Length
189 in
Curb weight
3,402–3,697 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2019 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2019 Subaru Legacy is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,402 lb (4dr Sedan 2.5i AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 34 highway), 3% better than the 2019 midsize car average of 28.1 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.

What changed for 2019

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2018 Legacy — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2018; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2018 Legacy →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan 2.5i AWD189 in72.4 in59.1 in108.3 in62.2 / 63 in3,402 lb59/41
4dr Sedan 3.6r AWD189 in72.4 in59.1 in108.3 in62.2 / 63 in3,697 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Legacy AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)All-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 29+3%$2,300311
Legacy AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (AV-S6)All-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23-18%$2,900387
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
28.1 MPG2019 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2019 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2019 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10.1%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2019 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash test — 2019 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2019 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD
Side crash test — 2019 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2019 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2019 Subaru Legacy (this car)29 MPG★★★★★3
2019 Toyota Corolla36 MPG★★★★★6
2019 Ford Mustang25 MPG★★★★★6
2019 Honda Accord48 MPGNot rated6
2019 Toyota Camry52 MPG★★★★★7
2019 Chevrolet Camaro25 MPG★★★★★1
2019 Nissan GT-R18 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jul 29, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Apr 16, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V218000 · 188,207 vehicles

Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Risk
If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
Structure · Jun 26, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V493000 · 2,107 vehicles

Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair or repurchase the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUH-93.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2019 Subaru Legacy is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

123Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
6,125 miTypical mileage at failure
Visibility/Wiper49
Electrical System35
Unknown Or Other20
Engine6
Vehicle Speed Control4
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking4
Steering3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/11: 323/12: 124/01: 524/02: 324/03: 124/04: 224/05: 224/06: 124/07: 124/08: 124/09: 124/11: 324/12: 225/01: 225/02: 225/05: 125/06: 125/07: 125/09: 125/11: 226/03: 226/04: 126/05: 226/07: 123/1124/0224/0524/0824/1225/0525/0926/04max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2019 Subaru Legacy buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Visibility/Wiper — 49 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Electrical System — 35 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Engine — 6 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,125 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Legacy. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Legacy years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 Legacy30191.3 in★★★★★06
2024 Legacy30191.3 in★★★★★017
2023 Legacy30191.3 in★★★★★210
2022 Legacy30190.6 in★★★★★234
2021 Legacy30190.6 in★★★★★331
2020 Legacy30190.6 in★★★★★6121
2018 Legacy29189 in★★★★★3117

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →