Saying Farewell to an Icon: Subaru Legacy Bids Adieu

In the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, trends come and go, and preferences shift with the times. As buyers increasingly gravitate towards crossovers, the once-beloved Subaru Legacy—known as the Liberty outside of Australia—prepares to bid farewell, marking the end of an era for sedan enthusiasts.

Subaru of America recently confirmed that production of the seventh-generation Legacy sedan will cease sometime in the second quarter of 2025. This announcement signals the end of a legacy that has spanned generations, leaving behind a rich history of performance, reliability, and innovation.

The Legacy, which entered production in 2020, is exclusively manufactured in the United States and available only in left-hand drive—a departure from previous iterations that were also produced in other regions. Consequently, the Australian market bid adieu to the Liberty at the end of 2020, as production shifted overseas.

Despite its imminent departure, the Legacy leaves behind a remarkable legacy of its own. Subaru reports that it has sold an impressive 1.3 million Legacy sedans in the US alone, with an astounding 94 percent of them still running after ten years—a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and durability.

While the Legacy may soon be a relic of the past, its spirit lives on in the Subaru Outback, which shares many of its genes and continues to be produced in Indiana and Japan. As one chapter closes, another begins, ensuring that Subaru's legacy of adventure and reliability endures.

Reflecting on its final years in production, the Legacy faced stiff competition from within Subaru's own lineup and the broader mid-size sedan class. Figures from Good Car Bad Car show that while the Legacy accounted for just 4.0 percent of Subaru's total US sales in 2023, it was outsold by its crossover siblings—the Outback, Crosstrek, and Forester.

Additionally, the Legacy trailed behind competitors such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu, and Nissan Altima in the fiercely competitive mid-size sedan segment—a sign of changing consumer preferences and market dynamics.

As we bid farewell to the Subaru Legacy, we celebrate its contributions to the automotive world and the memories it has created for drivers around the globe. While it may no longer grace our roads, its legacy will endure, forever woven into the fabric of Subaru's storied history.