Review: The 2025 Subaru Legacy Touring XT is a worthy swan song

When my wife and I arrived in Los Angeles, we were excited to spend some time with the final year of the Subaru Legacy. We’re pretty big Subaru fans; we’ve owned several of them over the years, including a Forester and two WRXs. They’ve proven reliable, simple, practical and pretty charming. But until our Los Angeles trip, we hadn’t spent much time in a Legacy. 

The Legacy’s bones are shared with the ever popular Outback, but that’s about where their similarities end. Their demeanor, purposes, customer appeal and ethos couldn’t be more different. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to like about the Legacy, even if its more popular, outdoorsy brother is the cause of its demise.

Upon settling into the 2025 Legacy Touring XT, I was reminded of why the car has been a favorite for so many over the last 36 years. While SUVs dominate today’s automotive landscape — even in Subaru’s own lineup — the 2025 Legacy Touring XT has definitively staked its claim as one of the most compelling sedans of the last three decades. This end of the line model is still worth a close look.

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Photo credit: Subaru US Media Center

Excellence refined

You don’t survive 36 years in the automotive world unless you’re pretty darn good at what you do, and the 2025 Legacy Touring XT is arguably the best it's ever been. In other words, Subaru isn’t coasting to the finish line with the 2025 model.

The sedan features Subaru’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which to this day is the best we’ve tested in snowy conditions (when equipped with winter appropriate tires). This all-wheel drive system provides unmatched confidence in all weather conditions and is something that has defined the Legacy since its inception. 

Under the hood, you’ll find a detuned version of the WRX’s 2.4-liter boxer engine that delivers a robust 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. That’s ample power for cruising California highways and passing in traffic. The continuously variable transmission was also nice to work with, as it kept power exactly where it needed to be most effective. All the while, we averaged nearly 30 mpg. Not bad at all. 

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But perhaps the biggest refinement for this generation of Legacy is the interior. It’s beautiful, and that’s something we’ve never said about a Legacy interior before. The Nappa leather is rich, soft and smells good. The rest of the materials also look and feel nice. Our favorite part of the interior, though, was the seats. They are so comfortable that our only regret is that we didn’t have more time in them. They are excellent and perfect for commuting and road trips.

Additionally, despite some initial learning curves, the Starlink infotainment system looks nice and is relatively easy to use once you get used to it. Thankfully, once you learn to access features such as wireless Apple CarPlay, the infotainment becomes second nature. 

Why consider the Legacy in 2025? 

Even with tough competition from its rivals, the Subaru Legacy Touring XT offers several unique advantages to other, sometimes more popular, options.

Safety first

Besides the Swedish folks at Volvo, Subaru is best known for taking safety seriously. Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, for example, is excellent and standard on the Legacy Touring XT. It offers features such as highway driving assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and precollision braking. The Touring XT takes that even further with the inclusion of its DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. 

Photo credit: Subaru US Media Center

Luxury without pretense

The Legacy Touring XT offers a nice interior and driving experience, but you’d never know it by looking at the exterior. Don’t get us wrong, the exterior looks nice, but it’s the interior that really is the standout here. When considering the Legacy over its rivals, the combination of all-wheel drive, safety and understated luxury carves out a niche that few can match — especially considering all the standard features it comes with.

Reliability and value

Consumer Reports just named Subaru the No. 1 most reliable brand for 2024, which is no small achievement. Subaru’s reputation for durability and customer loyalty speaks volumes. Even in its final model year, the Legacy is competitively priced and expected to have strong resale values.

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A bittersweet farewell

As Subaru pivots to focus more fully on its SUVs, including the Forester, Outback, Ascent and Crosstrek, the Legacy’s swan song is bittersweet for Subaru fans and the industry as a whole. It seems like not long ago, I was lusting after my friend’s Legacy, with its boxy shape and sporty demeanor. Now I’m saying goodbye to it forever. But, alas, the practical and endearing Outback lives on with its roots in what once was a Legacy, and that’s OK.

Photo credit: Subaru US Media Center

Should you buy one? 

If you’ve been considering a sedan that can handle the challenges of winter weather like a champion, is comfortable and safe, and offers understated looks and luxury, the 2025 Subaru Legacy Touring XT deserves a place on your shortlist. It’s wonderful to drive, and the turbocharged XT engine is a perfect match for its personality.

As the final chapter of an iconic model, now is the chance to own a piece of Subaru history — one that promises to deliver dependable, enjoyable, safe and comfortable service for years to come.

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Pros

• Amazing all-wheel drive

• Understated luxury

• Very safe

• Packed with standard features

• Affordable, even fully loaded

• Reliable

• Good resale value

Cons

• Not especially exciting

• Exterior styling is a bit dull

• Rear seat space isn’t quite as roomy as you expect

• The infotainment system requires a bit of a learning curve

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.