Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2021 Subaru Legacy

midsize car / 4-door sedan

2021 Subaru Legacy 4-door sedan
2020 Subaru Legacy shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

The driver-side small overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Legacy, known as the Outback, also redesigned for 2020.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN1914
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Footrest (cm) 3
Left toepan (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Parking brake (cm) 0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 1
Lower instrument panel (cm) 1

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN1914
Head
HIC-15 131
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.59
Right 0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.5
Right 2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 58
Right 119

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

The passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Legacy, known as the Outback, also redesigned for 2020.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head contacted the right side of the frontal airbag but began to move into the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The inflated side curtain airbag has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1929
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Footrest (cm) 3
Right toepan (cm) 2
Center toepan (cm) 1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 3
Right lower dash (cm) 2

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1929
Head
HIC-15 76
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 19
Maximum Nij 0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm) 20
Femur (kN)
Left 0.6
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.33
Right 0.40
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.6
Right 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 29
Right 48

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1929
Head
HIC-15 73
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 17
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.36
Right 0.38
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 25
Right 44

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

The moderate overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Legacy, known as the Outback, also redesigned for 2020.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1922
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 6
Center (cm) 7
Right (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -1
Rearward (cm) 0
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1922
Head
HIC-15 228
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 33
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.3
Femur force - right (kN) 1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.44
Maximum tibia index - right 0.75
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.4
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54
Right 51

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1923
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -22.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1923
Head HIC-15 147
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 30
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 32
Average deflection (mm) 30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.80
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.59
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.7
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.0
Combined force (kN) 2.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.0
L-M moment (Nm) 94
A-P moment (Nm) 24

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1923
Head HIC-15 137
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 26
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 20
Average deflection (mm) 16
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.82
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.16
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.7
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.6
Combined force (kN) 2.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.0
L-M moment (Nm) 143
A-P moment (Nm) 41

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Subaru Outback Premium wagon 4wd

Rating applies to both the Subaru Outback (tested) and the structurally similar Subaru Legacy.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,618 lbs
Peak force17,295 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.78

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 39
Distance below top of head (mm) 3
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 9.6
Head contact time (ms) 66
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 435

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Trim level(s)

  • All trims
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • All trims
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-22 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 135.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 51.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 90.1 m 6.6%
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 74.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 47.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 155.5 m
Straightaway left edge 140.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 90.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 89.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 76.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 63.7 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-22 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2020-22 models

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 30 mph. A warning was issued 3.1 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimLimited
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor, a single lower anchor and the ability to borrow the second anchor from another position.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimLimited
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
1 dedicated anchor and 1 that can be borrowed from seat 1
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 99
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 100
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 84
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 93
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 88
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation