2011 Subaru Legacy

Change Year or Vehicle
$5,604–$14,376 USED Shop local deals
(4.6) 62 reviews
SAVE
Find out if this car is the best match for you.
2011 Subaru Legacy
Compare 7 Trims View Local Inventory
Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
Compare
Back to top
Local Inventory
Compare 7 Trims View Local Inventory

Key Specs

of the 2011 Subaru Legacy. Base trim shown.

  • Body Type:
    Sedan See similar vehicles
  • Combined MPG:
    21-27 Combined MPG
  • Engine:
    170-hp, 2.5-liter H-4 (regular gas)
  • Drivetrain:
    All-wheel Drive
  • Transmission:
    6-speed manual w/OD
  • View more specs

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Responsive steering
  • Roomy backseat
  • Good gas mileage for an AWD car
  • Available turbocharged drivetrain
  • Well-equipped base model
  • Wintry-weather suitability

The Bad

  • Middling cabin materials
  • Tiny stereo controls
  • Overly restrictive USB/iPod integration
  • Significant body roll in base model
  • Road noise
  • Crosswind susceptibility

Notable Features of the 2011 Subaru Legacy

  • Larger, restyled interior
  • Three engine choices
  • Standard AWD
  • Manual or automatic
  • Standard electronic stability system

2011 Subaru Legacy Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

The Legacy was redesigned for 2010, its first complete makeover since 2005. A sister of the Outback wagon, the Legacy comes only as a sedan. It grew for 2010, adding much-needed space to the backseat, yet its mileage improved. It competes with cars like the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.

Choices abound with the Legacy, which comes in many trim levels and offers three engine types and three transmissions. Distinguished first by the engine type — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a turbocharged version of the same and a new 3.6-liter six-cylinder — each comes with Premium and Limited trim levels. The 2.5i and 3.6R are base versions of the non-turbo trim levels.

New for 2011
Following last year's redesign, Legacy receives minor changes for 2011. All models now have standard folding side mirrors. The 2.5 GT Premium model is gone, leaving the 2.5 GT Limited as the lone turbocharged model.

Exterior
The Legacy's headlight shape strays into Nissan/Infiniti territory, but the grille has Subaru's familiar wing-shaped crossbar and constellation symbol. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 16-inch wheels
  • Available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Functional hood scoop on 2.5 GT
  • Projector beam headlights


Interior
In addition to a nearly 4-inch increase in backseat legroom, last year's redesign made the Legacy a couple of inches wider, which helps hip and shoulder room in the front and back. The interior mater...

Vehicle Overview

The Legacy was redesigned for 2010, its first complete makeover since 2005. A sister of the Outback wagon, the Legacy comes only as a sedan. It grew for 2010, adding much-needed space to the backseat, yet its mileage improved. It competes with cars like the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.

Choices abound with the Legacy, which comes in many trim levels and offers three engine types and three transmissions. Distinguished first by the engine type — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a turbocharged version of the same and a new 3.6-liter six-cylinder — each comes with Premium and Limited trim levels. The 2.5i and 3.6R are base versions of the non-turbo trim levels.

New for 2011
Following last year's redesign, Legacy receives minor changes for 2011. All models now have standard folding side mirrors. The 2.5 GT Premium model is gone, leaving the 2.5 GT Limited as the lone turbocharged model.

Exterior
The Legacy's headlight shape strays into Nissan/Infiniti territory, but the grille has Subaru's familiar wing-shaped crossbar and constellation symbol. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 16-inch wheels
  • Available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Functional hood scoop on 2.5 GT
  • Projector beam headlights


Interior
In addition to a nearly 4-inch increase in backseat legroom, last year's redesign made the Legacy a couple of inches wider, which helps hip and shoulder room in the front and back. The interior materials were upgraded and include metallic-looking trim on the steering wheel and other surfaces. Upholstery choices include cloth and leather. Interior features include:

  • Standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio and cruise-control buttons
  • Standard keyless entry
  • Standard 60/40-split folding rear seats
  • Available Bluetooth audio streaming capability
  • Available dual-zone climate control
  • Available navigation system with backup camera


Under the Hood
Three engines — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a turbocharged 2.5-liter and a 3.6-liter six-cylinder — make 170 horsepower, 265 hp and 256 hp, respectively. The GT has higher output across the board, but it requires premium gasoline. Mechanical features include:

  • 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder
  • 265-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder
  • 256-hp, 3.6-liter six-cylinder
  • Six-speed manual transmission
  • Continuously variable automatic transmission with manual mode
  • Five-speed automatic (3.6-liter six-cylinder)
  • Standard all-wheel drive


Safety
Standard safety features include:

  • Four-wheel antilock brakes with brake assist
  • Electronic stability system
  • Side-impact airbags
  • Side curtain airbags for front and rear seats

 


View 20 Photos

Latest 2011 Legacy Stories

See all 2011 Subaru Legacy articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.6
62 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.5)
Performance
(4.4)
Interior Design
(4.5)
Comfort
(4.6)
Reliability
(4.7)
Value For The Money
(4.6)

What Drivers Are Saying

(5.0)

We love this reliable vehicle!

by Lucky from Henry, VA on August 3, 2018

Living in upstate NY, the reliability of Subaru AWD in the snow is unmatched. We lived rurally and never had to worry about getting home on snowy roads. With normal maintenance, we had many reliable ... Read full review

(5.0)

Love my Subaru!

by Shawn from Evansville , Indiana on June 26, 2018

This is one of the nicest yet most fun cars I?ve ever owned! I drove a Jeep Wrangler for 20years and have to get something with better gas milage. I wanted some power with what I got though. I also ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2011 Subaru Legacy currently has 8 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5i

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranty

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

CPO Program & Warranty

Certified Pre-Owned by Subaru

Program Benefits

24-hour roadside assistance and Carfax vehicle history report

  • Limited Warranty

    7 years / 100,000 miles

    Powertrain: 7 years/100,000 miles from original date of first use. Roadside assistance: 1 year from date of purchase

  • Eligibility

    Under 6 years / 85,000 miles

    Vehicles receive a 152 point inspection and reconditioning.

Have Questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs

Change Year or Vehicle

Please select a Make

Please select a Model

Please select a Year

Update

All Model Years for the Subaru Legacy

0 / 0 0 Photos
0 / 0

Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Legacy received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker