Key Takeaways
Subaru announces production of the Legacy sedan will cease in spring 2025.
The automaker says the decision reflects the market shift to SUVs and crossovers.
No word yet on whether an electrified replacement will arrive in the coming years.
Sedan lovers, get the tissues ready: Subaru has announced that the long-lived Legacy sedan will end production at the end of MY2025, but at least it goes out with the same price it has for MY2024. The Japanese brand says output at the Indiana-based plant will conclude in the spring of next year. The Lafayette facility is the only plant in the world that builds the seventh-generation sedan, which means the Legacy will be killed off for the foreseeable future.
Subaru has not mentioned a Legacy replacement, so CarBuzz has contacted the automaker to obtain additional information. We would not be surprised if the marque is putting the Legacy nameplate to rest. Crossovers and SUVs dominate the marketplace, with consumers purchasing these high-riding sedan alternatives in droves. Subaru has said that even though the Legacy is the company’s oldest nameplate, this move “reflects market shifts from passenger cars to SUVs and crossovers and Subaru’s transition to electrified and fully electric vehicles.”
Subaru
The Sales Figures Say It All
Sedans barely stand a chance, and the few that retain their popularity are luxury vehicles or highly respected nameplates, such as the Camry and Accord. The sales figures don’t lie. Last month, the Legacy was the third-poorest performer, with a mere 1,658 examples sold. In comparison, Subaru sold 13,501 units of the Legacy-based Outback. Not even the low starting price of $24,895 is enough to get people interested, and that’s a shame, as the Legacy is a handsome and competent sedan.
Related
The Crossover Has Killed Another Handsome Sedan
Once ubiquitous, the mainstream sedan is inches away from death.
It’s not the only sedan to face the ax in recent years. Volkswagen USA killed off the beloved Passat after many years, while the Vauxhall/Opel Insignia was discontinued in Europe with no successor. Other sedans that are no longer available include the Ford Mondeo/Fusion and the Mazda 6. Even mighty Toyota isn’t immune to market changes and has had to discontinue the Avalon after nearly three decades in production.
Subaru
Consistent Pricing In Its Swansong Model Year
Now in its seventh generation, the Legacy was introduced in 1989 to provide Subaru with a sedan to take on the once-hotly-contested sedan segment. Over the years, the Legacy has provided customers with a sportier, left-field alternative with available full-time all-wheel drive, which, at the time, was a unique feature in the mainstream sedan class. Every Legacy model sold in the United States has been manufactured at the Indiana plant, with sales totaling an incredible 1.3 million.
For fans of the understated Legacy, this is indeed a sad day. Renowned for its impressive safety ratings and reliability – over 94% of all Legacy models built in the last ten years are still on the road today – loyal buyers must now opt for the Outback or the Forester crossovers. With any luck, Subaru’s electrified future has space for a battery-electric sedan that could rival the Volkswagen ID.7 and Tesla Model 3. In the meantime, the 2025 Subaru Legacy will be priced the same as the 2024 model, starting at $24,895 (excluding $1,120 for destination), when it arrives at dealers in the spring.
Subaru