2020 Subaru Legacy — should you buy one?

Why people love the 2020 Subaru Legacy

The 2020 Legacy came with the naturally aspirated 2.5L FA20 engine paired with Subaru's CVT transmission, and owners love the predictable all-wheel-drive grip in wet conditions—crucial if you're driving in snow or rain regularly. The EyeSight Driver Assist Suite (adaptive cruise, pre-collision braking) came standard on most trims, which feels like a safety net you can actually feel working on the highway. Interior space for the price point is genuinely roomy: back-seat legroom beats the Accord, and the trunk swallows a weekend trip's worth of gear without feeling cramped.

Common complaints and known issues

The 2020 CVT transmission has a documented tendency to shudder or hesitate during acceleration, with some owners reporting the issue appearing between 40k and 80k miles; Subaru extended the CVT warranty to 100k miles in response, but the fix isn't always permanent. Paint peeling on the hood and roof has shown up in multiple NHTSA complaints, typically after 18–24 months of sun exposure, especially in Arizona and California. A small number of 2020 models also reported EyeSight camera fogging or failure around 30k–60k miles, which disables the safety suite until the camera is replaced.

Typical asking price

Under 80k miles: $16,500–$19,500. 80k–130k miles: $13,500–$16,000. Over 130k miles: $10,500–$13,500. Price spread is driven mainly by trim (base sedan versus Limited or Outback equivalent), mileage cluster (CVT issues rarer below 50k), and whether the vehicle has had a pre-purchase inspection or known paint work, which buyers heavily discount.

Ranges are typical 2026 asking prices, not appraisals. The actual fair offer depends on this specific car's title history, accident record, and open recalls — which is what EstimateProof tells you.