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2003
Subaru Legacy

Starts at:
$19,795
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New 2003 Subaru Legacy
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Safety rating
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Not rated
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr L Manual
    Starts at
    $19,795
    21 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr L Special Edition Manual
    Starts at
    $20,295
    21 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr L Manual
    Starts at
    $20,495
    21 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4 Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr L Auto
    Starts at
    $20,595
    22 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr L Special Edition Auto
    Starts at
    $21,095
    22 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr L Auto
    Starts at
    $21,295
    22 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4 Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr L Special Edition Manual
    Starts at
    $21,395
    21 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4 Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr L Special Edition Auto
    Starts at
    $22,195
    22 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4 Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr 2.5 GT Manual
    Starts at
    $24,995
    21 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr 2.5 GT Manual
    Starts at
    $25,895
    21 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4 Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr 2.5 GT Auto
    Starts at
    $25,995
    20 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr 2.5 GT Auto
    Starts at
    $26,895
    20 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4 Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy 2003 Subaru Legacy

The good & the bad

This vehicle doesn't have any good or bad insights yet.

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Safety review

Based on the 2003 Subaru Legacy base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
5/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 years / 80,000 miles
Basic
Coverage available for purchase
Dealer certification
152-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.2 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 3.7
Performance 3.7
Value 4.4
Exterior 3.6
Reliability 4.5

Most recent

  • Overall, this car is well above-average

    *this is the Legacy L Special Edition, not the base trim Lots of positive things to say about this car, with only a few minor negatives. Pros: -EXCELLENT in the snow, rain, etc given the very well performing AWD, which is superior to all other AWD systems. -Easy to drive, easy to service (oil drain plug points forwards, very easy and simple to access) -good interior -- all added features have no issues (eg heated seats, power windows, etc) -good visibility and control -gas mileage is fairly good. Not as good as say, a Honda Civic, but much better than other cars in this class or larger sedans. -Put 30,000 kms since bought (used) with no problems other than regular maintenance Cons: -comfortable overall, but suited for persons of average height or less -automatic drive shifter is annoying to shift into drive -no auxiliary adapter -- built in sound system is not great (unless upgraded) -you have to push the fob button at least twice to unlock the back doors Neutrals: -accelerator pedal (on automatics) increases speed based on how quickly you push the pedal, as opposed to how hard you push it. This is something to get used to, as, if you are trying to access maximum power by pushing the pedal really hard, it won't make the car rev harder. Most cars don't work this way and it gives the illusion that this car is under-powered. However, I assure you, if you push the pedal quickly and allow it to rev fully to 6,000 rpm, it has adequate power.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    9 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Reliable but Not Much Power

    One thing that I LOVE about my Subaru is about how reliable it is. It's an older vehicle and it will go forever! However, when it comes to speed it lacks quite a bit compared to most other cars.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Keeps on going

    Bought a Subaru for reliability and wasn't disappointed. 117,000 miles and it has a lot of life left in it. No major problems.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • the legacy is a great car.

    great design and performance. I had a lot of fun with that car. It was definitely my favorite car. The all wheel drive was great. I still put winter tires on because I had to drive in all weather conditions. With snow tire on it the car was a tank in the winter. I live in Vermont.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great at beginning then problems

    Good and reliable at beginning then more problems then I have had with my other Subarus I had problems with starting it that cost me over a thousand dollars. Axel problems for s lot of money, and a lot of little leaks in engine that needed fixing
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Owned Car for 9 Years

    I have owned my Subaru Legacy Sedan for 9 years. I have seen wear and tear on the vehicle. The brakes have lasted pretty long. I only had to replace them 2 years ago. The back breaks will be replaced in the near future. The exhaust is annoying as it rattles and the windows let wind noise in. This is a defect in the car. I have a person that does a regular oil change on it. They have stated that the oil is leaking badly. It smells like tires. I think this is because the vehicle is old. I have less than 100,000 miles on it. I have gotten tires two times and tires are pretty cheap to find for this vehicle. Customer Service at any Subaru dealership is outstanding. They do not treat any car owner different. There is wear and tear on the vehicle inside but it looks good for being 14 years old. It is harder to clean. It drives nice in the rain or snow. Midwest winters can be harsh and I have not seen (cross my fingers, knock on wood) rust on any of the body.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great deal

    I am lovingnthis car so far. That is probably due to the wonderful service I got at Acord Auto in Richmond ME. It is a ten year old car but the mileage is low and it has new gaskets belts and the brakes had been replaced fairly recently. In my experience Japanese cars can keep trucking for hundreds of thousands of miles so buying a car with under 100k miles that has been well maintained is the best way to go. It is old and i have to say it isnt the best looking car but I have a feeling it is going to last me a long time. I put seafoam engine treatment in the gas tank which I would highly recommend for any older car. It just cleans out the engine a bit and makes it run a little smoother. I got the hatchback which is amazing and can fit a ton of stuff in the back. I will say that the boxer engine did sound a little weird to me at first but It is an overall much more efficent design and the awd makes it great for the snow. I love my subie!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • NOT RELIABLE

    POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT AT 75000 MILES ENGINE WENT OUT AT 125000 MILES REAR WINDOW LEAKED WATER IN THE TAIL LIGHTS
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 2.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great car!

    Great car, very dependable and durable, love mine. Don't buy a Subaru if you like to have a new car often as you won't ever have a reason to trade it...they are that good!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • A very good wagon

    I like this small wagon with AWD. It has enough space in the back to put our two bikes or small pieces of furniture. It is an extremely useful car and the price was okay too. It is also very reliable. I like the AWD. It seems safer and I think is safer than non-AWD vehicles. The only drawback is that while the gas mileage is okay, I would like it to be better. The next time I buy a car, hopefully not for 3 or more years yet, gas mileage will be a very important consideration.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Excellent for the money

    I bought this car with 49K on the clock and it drives/looks brand new. Coming from three used Volkswagens (unreliable, but fun to drive), I must say I am very happy with this car. It is a little under powered, but I can seat 4+ of my friends very comfortably, and it is very practical. The AWD system is very helpful in slippery conditions, and holds to the pavement superbly in the dry. I think I will be sticking with Subaru for a very long time.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • It needs!

    It Needs! More power... Performance is anemic when launched, look around and be careful pulling out! It needs! More features... One speed interminent wipers, no power seat, no extension on the window visor, poor interior lighting - no footwell lights, no heat vents or center arm rest in rear.... A nice size vechicle with AWD that has been very reliable
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Subaru dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2003 Subaru Legacy?

The 2003 Subaru Legacy is available in 3 trim levels:

  • GT (4 styles)
  • L (4 styles)
  • L Special Edition (4 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2003 Subaru Legacy?

The 2003 Subaru Legacy offers up to 21 MPG in city driving and 27 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2003 Subaru Legacy?

The 2003 Subaru Legacy compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2003 Subaru Legacy reliable?

The 2003 Subaru Legacy has an average reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2003 Subaru Legacy owners.

Is the 2003 Subaru Legacy a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2003 Subaru Legacy. 92.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.2 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.9
  • Interior: 3.7
  • Performance: 3.7
  • Value: 4.4
  • Exterior: 3.6
  • Reliability: 4.5

Subaru Legacy history

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