Subaru’s Legacy, known as the Liberty in some markets, is set to bid farewell to global showrooms after more than 35 years of production. The last remaining models of the Subaru Liberty, or Legacy, are being phased out from North American showrooms, almost five years after the vehicle was discontinued in Australia and Europe.
The Subaru Legacy made its debut in the Australian market in 1989, with both sedan and estate body styles available. The sixth generation model of the Legacy was the last to be sold in Australia, with the final example being purchased in December 2021. In North America, the seventh generation Legacy, introduced in 2019, is the only version available and will be discontinued after the 2025 model year.
Production of the Legacy took place at Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana, factory for over three decades, with a total of 1.3 million units built exclusively for the North American market. Other regions, including Europe and Australia, received Japanese-made versions of the Legacy. The decision to end production of the Legacy is attributed to market shifts towards SUVs and crossovers, as well as Subaru’s focus on electrified and fully electric vehicles.
Despite the discontinuation of the Legacy, Subaru’s Lafayette plant will continue to produce other models, including the Ascent large SUV, the Crosstrek, and the Outback. The Outback, a popular family version of the Legacy, will remain in production as it has seen significant success in markets like Australia and North America.
In response to changing automotive trends, Subaru has introduced its first battery electric vehicle, the Solterra SUV, as part of its transition to electrified vehicles. The Solterra, developed in conjunction with Toyota’s BZ4X, made its debut in the US in 2022 and is set to arrive in Australia in early 2024.
The Legacy’s arrival in the US market in 1989 marked Subaru’s entry into the midsize sedan segment, where it competed with popular models like the Honda Accord, Ford Taurus, and Toyota Camry. While the Legacy never claimed the top spot in sales, it became Subaru’s best-selling model, reaching a peak of 87,788 units sold in 2005. Over time, the Legacy Outback station wagon evolved into the standalone Outback model, which became Subaru’s top seller in the US and Australia.
The rise in SUV sales in the US and Australia has impacted the demand for traditional passenger cars, including the Legacy. The Toyota Camry, one of the Legacy’s competitors, reported higher sales numbers in the US compared to the Legacy, reflecting the shift in consumer preferences toward SUVs.
The discontinuation of the Legacy in North America coincides with similar trends in the Australian market, where sedans like the Ford Mondeo and Mazda 6 have also been phased out. The remaining models in the Legacy/Liberty segment in Australia are transitioning to hybrid offerings, such as the new Honda Accord set to launch in 2024.
The departure of the Subaru Legacy from global showrooms marks the end of an era for the brand’s oldest model. As Subaru continues to focus on electrification and new vehicle technologies, the Legacy will leave behind a legacy of over three decades in the automotive industry.
