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Subaru Just Pulled the Plug on Its Longest-Running Model After Almost 40 Years

The Japanese automaker is saying goodbye to one of its enduring sedans, leaving the WRX as the sole option to carry the torch.

close-up of a subaru legacy from the front in whiteSubaru
Gray Van Dyke headshot

By Gray Van Dyke

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In most cases, a Magnetite Gray Subaru Legacy Limited sedan might not be much to write home about — at least compared to your typical enthusiast vehicle. 

However, on Friday, September 12, one such car became the last example in the model’s 36-year history to roll off the production line in Lafayette, Indiana.

A group of factory workers standing around a newly assembled gray Subaru vehicle on an assembly line inside a manufacturing plant. Above them is a large sign that reads "WELCOME TO SUBARU Assembly" with the Subaru logo and "SUBARU of INDIANA AUTOMOTIVE, INC." The factory setting includes industrial equipment, lighting, and ventilation fans.
The very last Subaru Legacy ever built is a Magnetite Gray Limited model.
Subaru

It marks the end of the longest-running and first American-built nameplate in Subaru’s lineup. Moreover, even though the Legacy ended its production life as a sensible family vehicle, the model wasn’t without its performance high points, and it was incredibly influential to the rest of the company’s releases.

So go ahead and pour one out for the Legacy, as its departure is the latest in an ever-growing list of sedans that have given way to the consumerist crossover and SUV trend.

A Legacy of versatility

From its introduction in September 1989, the Legacy established itself as a versatile performer. When the model launched in the United States, Subaru offered it as both a mid-size sedan and a station wagon. 

White 1990 sedan parked on a dirt road with rocky, reddish-brown mountainous terrain in the background under a clear blue sky.
The Legacy hit the market in September 1989, bringing with it both a midsize sedan option (above) and a wagon.
Subaru

With time, the Legacy took on a lift, additional body cladding and auxiliary lights to become the rugged Outback trim option. Following the off-road wagon’s significant popularity, Subaru eventually spun it off into its own distinct model. 

On the performance side, the Legacy made a name for the Subaru brand through motorsport and publicity stunts. Between Colin McRae’s WRC rapport and an incredible FIA endurance record (that still stands to this day), it proved to be much more than just a more mature WRX alternative.

Nevertheless, if that’s what you were looking for as a buyer, Subaru had you covered. In the case of exciting performance variants like the 2.5 GT Spec.B, the brand equipped the Legacy with a five-speed manual transmission, a functional hood scoop, a Momo steering wheel, Bilstein shocks and a sporty ground effects kit.

Silver four-door sedan parked on a paved road with a grassy field and trees in the background. The car has alloy wheels, clear headlights, and a UK license plate reading "DY54 HPL.
In the United States, Subaru gave buyers the 2.5 GT Spec.B, but the UK got a 3.0r variant with a six-speed.
Subaru

Of course, as was the case with iconic performance nameplates like the WRX, Subaru has gradually changed the car in response to consumer demand.

Along with switching from a flat-six to a turbocharged four-cylinder, it also ditched the manual in favor of an ever-controversial CVT. Now, the brand has been forced to discontinue the model altogether.

A dark blue Subaru sedan parked on a snowy surface with snow-covered mountains and pine trees in the background under a cloudy sky at sunset. The car has modern headlights, a prominent front grille with the Subaru logo, and visible tire treads suitable for winter conditions.
The Legacy grew from a versatile sedan platform into a more mature WRX alternative.
Subaru

The way forward

It’s a shame, especially because of the model’s extensive history and nearly 1.4-million-unit production run, but also because Subaru is the latest in a long list of automakers to recenter its lineup around crossovers and SUVs. With the discontinuation of the Legacy, the WRX stands alone as the sole four-door sedan in the lineup.

Granted, the Japanese brand has been pouring resources into diversifying its electrified options. Between the Forester, the Crosstrek and the Solterra, it’s stayed busy — and that’s not even taking into account forthcoming vehicles like the Subaru Trailseeker and the Subaru Uncharted. 

A large group of people, including men and women, are standing in front of a modern building with gray panels and tall narrow windows. They are positioned between two cars: an older brown sedan on the left with "JOB 1 SEPT. 11, 1990 TEAM UP FOR TOMORROW" written on the windshield, and a newer dark gray SUV on the right. Behind the group is a large red circular sculpture. Most people are wearing white shirts or blue work uniforms.
The very first and very last Subaru Legacy sedans parked alongside each other.
Subaru

What’s more, Subaru will be bringing production of the Forester to its Indiana plant, which will undoubtedly help in its efforts to avoid the worst effects of tariffs. There are some bright spots to the Legacy’s sacrifice.

Still, you can’t even make the argument that the Legacy will continue to live on in the Outback, seeing as Subaru gave the wagon a dramatic redesign earlier this year.

With a switch to a notably taller body style, it now skews more crossover than it does lifted sportback. C’est la vie.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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