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2001 Subaru Legacy

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$19,295

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

Sedan

Body style

5

Seating capacity

184.4” x 58.3”

Dimensions

All-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(11 reviews)

3 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2001 Subaru Legacy trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best Sedans for 2024

2001 Subaru Legacy review: Our expert's take

By Mark Glover

Quick, what’s the difference between a Subaru Legacy GT wagon and a Subaru Legacy Outback H6-3.0 VDC wagon?

If you said about $7,000, congratulations, you most certainly have a mind that gets to the bottom line very quickly. For those who want to know what that extra $7,000 gets you, read on.

This side-by-side comparison presented quite a challenge because I rank the Subaru wagons at the top of the segment. Subaru just has this segment down, and all-wheel drive across the board only sweetens the deal.

My test started with the top-of-the-line 2001 Subaru Legacy Outback H6-3.0 VDC, which starts at 31,895 (the tested model went for $32,390 with the destination and delivery charge). Now that’s a lot of money to pay for a wagon, even one with a sport-utility-vehicle-like ground clearance of 7.3 inches.

Fortunately, Subaru has stuffed a lot into the deal.

The alphabet soup of the H6-3.0 VDC is explained in part by the engine — a horizontally opposed six-cylinder job containing three liters and dishing out a decidedly enthusiastic 212 horsepower. VDC stands for Vehicle Dynamics Control, Subaru’s language for the stability and all-wheel traction system.

Without getting too technical, the VDC and AWD and Subaru’s VTD (that’s for “Variable Torque Distribution”) combine to make the Outback go like blazes. I was blowing away assorted coupes and sedans in a wagon — a veritable suburban warrior.

On the quieter back roads of Yolo County, I also discovered that it’s virtually impossible to make the Outback’s 16-inch all-season radial tires lose contact with the road — even on the sharpest corners. Actor Paul Hogan (also known in the movies as “Crocodile Dundee”) does some aggressive promotion of the Outback’s performance capabilities, and his stock just went up in my house.

Inside, the Outback was dressed up with what one would expect from a $32,000 purchase. The package included dual power moonroofs with sunshades, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, front seat side-impact air bags, wood and leather surfaces and a splendid McIntosh audio system with seven speakers and an in-dash CD player.

Gas mileage also was admirable, given the pop of the six-cylinder motor — 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Although some would grump that $32,000-plus is too much to pay for a midsize wagon, there’s something to be said for a luxurious wagon that’s nimble on the open road and capable of performing in the back country — as opposed to paying, say, $40,000-and-up for an SUV that does the same thing, while drinking more gasoline, which is quickly on its way to becoming the liquid of the rich and famous.

My only complaint with the Outback H6-3.0 VDC was being confused over what to call the thing. Subaru’s own literature rarely uses the “Legacy” name with the vehicle, even though it’s right there on the sticker. And the vehicle is alternately called an Outback Wagon, an Outback, a 3.0 wagon, an H6 or an H6-3.0.

Enough already. I finally settled on calling it Crocodile Dundee’s car just to avoid arguments.

Starting with the Outback H6-3.0 VDC wagon was a mistake, of course. No matter what, getting into the 2001 Legacy GT wagon felt like a letdown.

Not nearly as luxurious as its Outback cousin, the Legacy GT’s horizontally opposed 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine felt comparatively anemic after riding around in the six-banger.

Then, a funny thing happened. I noticed that the four-cylinder engine was generating some serious punch getting away from intersections where punch was needed. Once the revs were up, the Legacy GT was positively robust in traffic. I normally feel undressed with a four-cylinder engine, but this one started to grow on me.

Call it the all-wheel drive difference.

The AWD feature made the engine feel more like four-cylinders and an asterisk — with the asterisk desi ating a security-inspiring boost in handling.

Once the ride felt better, other things started feeling better.

Look up and there’s another pair of power dual moonroofs on the ceiling. The Legacy GT wagon’s mileage rating was 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway. My numbers, however, came out to a more-economical 24/29. The interior felt roomy and comfortable, even from the back seat.

All in all, the Legacy GT stacked up as a pretty fair AWD wagon with a $23,795 starting price ($25,336 as tested, including an optional automatic gearbox, a modest equipment package and the destination/delivery charge).

The bottom line is that the Legacy GT wagon really has most of what a wagon-lover craves, and the Subaru dependability numbers in this segment have been good. Obviously, the Outback H6-3.0 VDC wagon is a comparative luxury liner, and it’s priced that way.

The Outback model seems better suited to the customer who walks into the dealership and says, “I want the absolute best wagon I can get, and I don’t really care how much it costs.”

For those who simply want a wagon that will make the commute to and from work and then carry the recreational load on the weekends, go with the Legacy GT.

Consumer reviews

(11 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.1
  • Interior 4.1
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.7
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 4.5
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Most recent consumer reviews

My one true car-love

This was the first car I purchased post-divorce, and I'm not really sure why I had my heart set on a Subaru, except that I had heard they were safe and reliable, and those were most important to me. This was the BEST car ... it performed well in winter, it never, in 13 years, left me stranded anywhere. One time when it needed a new catalytic converter, I felt it was too new for that, and wrote to National Subaru, and they paid 100% for the repair. I hated getting rid of this vehicle, kept it 13 years, but I did not have a garage in all that time, and it was starting to rust. I have since owned a Jetta and a Cruze, and want my next car to be a Subaru. <3 I'm not the kind of person to get attached to cars, but I'm attached to Subaru (their commercials are also great). I'm a believer!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Best car ever

I had this car for 2 years, I changed the oil in it one time. I threw everything I could at it! I abused this car and drive it hard! I took it on off-road trails and into the mountains every night. The only issue was the lower radiator hose would come loose and leak coolant but that's a easy fix. It was super fast since I had the twin turbo boxer in japan. The all wheel drive kept me glued to the road! I loved this car and I wish I could have it still. Definitely consider a turbo legacy wagon!!!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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great famly car

great in the snow long trips are comfortable on long trips and plenty of room to take all your stuff

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 11 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2001 Subaru Legacy base trim.
Frontal driver
4
Frontal passenger
4

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Subaru
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
36 months/36,000 miles
Corrosion
60 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
60 months/60,000 miles
Roadside assistance
36 months/36,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
5 years/80,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
Coverage available for purchase
Powertrain
7 years/100,000
Dealer certification required
152-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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