Subaru Legacy

Subaru Legacy: which version to buy

If you want the current Subaru Legacy Sedan, the 7 generation restyling (from 2022-09-01, stop not measured) offers two AWD Variable cars: 2.5i CVT at 182 hp (133 kW) from 2498 cm³ Gasoline Opposite 4 with boost No, and 2.4i CVT at 264 hp (194 kW) from 2384 cm³ Gasoline Opposite 4 with Turbo.

If you want the current Subaru Legacy Sedan, the 7 generation restyling (from 2022-09-01, stop not measured) offers two AWD Variable cars: 2.5i CVT at 182 hp (133 kW) from 2498 cm³ Gasoline Opposite 4 with boost No, and 2.4i CVT at 264 hp (194 kW) from 2384 cm³ Gasoline Opposite 4 with Turbo. The extra 82 hp costs 127 kg of kerb weight (1714 kg versus 1587 kg) and, on the pre-restyle 7 generation pair, 0.9 l/100 km of mixed fuel (8.7 versus 7.8). 0–100 km/h and top speed are not measured on either current car. Every Legacy in this catalogue is AWD; the real choice is engine, gearbox (Variable / Automatic / Manual), and which generation’s measured economy and performance you will live with.

Which generation to start from

The catalogue lists 11 Subaru Legacy generations (Sedan throughout). Dates and the buying implication of each step:

• 1 generation (1989-02-01–1993-03-31): five versions, 103–150 hp, kerb 1125–1300 kg, tank 60 l, ground clearance not measured, 0–100 and fuel not measured.
• 2 generation (1993-04-01–1999-05-31): ten versions, including the 2.0 i Turbo AWD MT and 2.0 i Turbo AWD AT at 250 hp — still the highest specific output in the model (250 hp / 1.994 l ≈ 125.4 hp/l). Clearance 160 mm, tank 60 l.
• 3 generation (1999-05-01–2004-06-30): eight versions, all 125 or 156 hp, tank 64 l, clearance 160 mm. Four of them have measured 0–100; four do not.
• 4 generation (2004-07-01–2006-08-31) and 4 generation, restyling 1 (2006-05-01–2009-08-31): eight versions each. This is where 0–100, top speed, and mixed fuel start to be measured in bulk. Clearance 150 mm, tank 64 l.
• 5 generation (2009-04-01–2012-05-31): ten versions, tank 65 l, Euro 5, first Diesel (2.0d AWD).
• 5 generation, restyling 1 (2012-05-01–2015-03-31): six versions; Diesel and 265 hp Turbo gasoline share a 6.2 s 0–100 and 245 km/h top speed on one pairing.
• 6 generation (2014-05-01–2017-02-28) and 6 generation, restyling 1 (2017-03-01–2019-03-31): two versions each — 2.5i AWD CVT 175 hp versus 3.6R AWD CVT 256 hp. 0–100 and top speed not measured. Tank 70 l.
• 7 generation (2019-04-01–2022-08-31): 2.5i CVT 182 hp versus 2.4i Turbo CVT 260 hp. Mixed fuel measured; 0–100 not measured. Tank 70 l.
• 7 generation, restyling (from 2022-09-01): 2.5i CVT 182 hp versus 2.4i CVT 264 hp. Fuel on the turbo car not measured; tank on the turbo car not measured.

What changed in the numbers, generation to generation, is listed under “what the extra generation buys” below. There is no price field in the data, so “extra money” here means extra horsepower, extra litres, extra kilograms, or extra litres of fuel per 100 km.

Engines and specs

Dictionary labels are those in the data: Gasoline, Diesel, Opposite, Inline, Turbo, No, Variable, Automatic, Manual, AWD, Sedan, Direct injection (direct), Distributed injection (multi-point), Front, longitudinal, 95 / 92 / Diesel, Euro 5.

Same names, different power — keep them separate:

• Two 2.5 i AWD cars in 5 generation: 265 hp Turbo Manual 5, and 170 hp boost No (one Manual 6, one Variable).
• Two 2.5 AT cars in 5 generation, restyling 1: 265 hp Turbo, and 167 hp boost No (two rows of 167 hp, 0–100 10.3 s versus 9.8 s).
• Two 2.0 MT diesels in 5 generation, restyling 1: both 150 hp, 0–100 6.2 s versus 9.6 s, top speed 245 versus 203 km/h, mixed 5.9 versus 5.7 l/100 km.
• Two 2.0 MT and two 2.0 AT in 4 generation: 165 hp versus 138 hp.
• Two 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT pairs in 4 generation, restyling 1: 165 hp versus 150 hp.
• Two 2.0 AWD MT / 2.0 AWD AT pairs in 3 generation: both 125 hp, 0–100 10.7/11.8 s versus 11.1/12.2 s.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2.0 i Turbo AWD MT 125.4; 5 generation 2.5 i AWD MT 285 hp → 116.0; 7 restyle 2.4i CVT 110.7; 7 generation 2.4i Turbo CVT 109.1; 5 generation 2.5 i AWD 265 hp → 107.9; 4 generation 3.0 MT 81.7; 7 generation 2.5i CVT 72.9; 6 generation 3.6R AWD CVT 70.5 hp/l. The 3.6-litre six is the least specific; the 2.0 Turbo of 2 generation is the most.

Performance and economy (mpg / l/100 km)

0–100 km/h is not measured on 1 generation, most of 2 generation, half of 3 generation, all of 6 generation, and all of 7 generation including restyling. Where it is measured, the ranking is:

• 6.2 s: 5 generation 2.5 i AWD 265 hp; 5 generation, restyling 1 2.5 AT 265 hp; 5 generation, restyling 1 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel (the 1542 kg row). Same 6.2 s on 265 hp Gasoline Turbo and 150 hp Diesel Turbo is the catalogue’s sharpest pairing: they also share 245 km/h top speed.
• 6.9 s: 3.0 MT 245 hp (4 generation and 4 generation, restyling 1). 3.0 AT is 8.2 s — 1.3 s slower for Automatic 4 versus Manual 6, at 245 hp both.
• 9.0–9.6 s: 3 generation 2.5 AWD MT 9.0 s; 5 generation 2.0d AWD 9.3 s; 4 restyle 2.5 MT 9.3 s; 5 generation 2.0 i MT AWD and 2.0 i AWD 9.5 s; 4 generation 2.0 MT 165 hp 9.5 s; 4 generation 2.5 MT 9.6 s; 5 restyle Diesel 2.0 MT (1575 kg row) 9.6 s.
• 10.3–13.2 s: 5 restyle 2.5 AT 167 hp 10.3 s and 9.8 s; 5 restyle 2.0 CVT 11.0 s; 4 generation 2.5 AT 11.0 s; 3 generation 2.0 AWD MT 10.7 and 11.1 s; 4 generation 2.0 AT 165 hp 11.4 s; 4 generation 2.0 MT 138 hp 11.5 s; 3 generation 2.0 AWD AT 11.8 and 12.2 s; 2 generation 1.8 AT 12.1 s; 4 generation 2.0 AT 138 hp 13.2 s.

Top speed not measured on 6 and 7 generations. Highest measured: 245 km/h (2.5 i AWD 265 hp; restyle 2.5 AT 265 hp; restyle 2.0 MT 1542 kg Diesel). Then 3.0 MT 243 km/h, 3.0 AT 237, 4 restyle 2.5 MT 219, 2.5 AT 217, 4 generation 2.0 MT 165 hp 214, 5 generation 2.0 i MT AWD and 2.0 i AWD 210, restyle 2.5 AT 167 hp 210 and 205, 5 generation 2.0d AWD 206, 4 generation 2.5 MT 206, 3 generation 2.5 AWD MT 208, 2.5 AWD AT 205, restyle Diesel 1575 kg 203, 5 generation 2.0 i AT AWD 203, restyle 2.0 CVT 200. Lowest measured: 2 generation 1.8 AT / 1.8 MT 185 km/h; 3 generation 2.0 AWD AT 180 km/h.

Fuel (l/100 km). Lowest mixed: 5 restyle 2.0 MT Diesel 5.7 (city 7.0 / highway 4.6) and 5.9 (7.5 / 5.1), matching 5 generation 2.0d AWD 5.9 (7.5 / 5.1). 5 restyle 2.0 CVT Gasoline mixed 7.1. 7 generation 2.5i CVT mixed 7.8 (city 8.7 / highway 6.7) — same mixed as 6 generation 2.5i AWD CVT 7.8 (city 9.0 / highway 6.5). 7 generation 2.4i Turbo CVT mixed 8.7 (9.8 / 7.3): +0.9 mixed for +78 hp versus the 2.5i of the same generation. 6 generation 3.6R AWD CVT mixed 10.2 (11.7 / 8.1); restyle 1 of 6 generation leaves mixed not measured, city still 11.7, highway 8.4 versus 8.1. Highest mixed measured: 3.0 MT 12.1 (city 17.7 / highway 8.9). 5 restyle 2.5 AT 265 hp mixed 10.6 (14.9 / 8.1). CO2: Diesel 2.0d AWD / restyle 2.0 MT 156 g/km and 149 g/km; 5 restyle 2.0 CVT 164; 5 generation 2.0 i MT AWD 198; 2.0 i AWD 203; 4 restyle 2.0 AT 150 hp 196; 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT 202; 5 restyle 2.5 AT 167 hp 214; 2.5 AT 265 hp 250. Eco class Euro 5 where measured (5 generation and its restyling); otherwise not measured.

7 generation, restyling 2.4i CVT: city, highway, mixed, tank, 0–100, top speed all not measured. Do not treat that silence as “same as 2.4i Turbo CVT”.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance: 160 mm on 2 and 3 generation; 150 mm on 4, 5, 5 restyle, and 7 restyle; not measured on 1 generation, 6 generation, 6 restyle, and 7 generation (pre-restyle). Wheel sizes not measured on every version.

Tank: 60 l (1 and 2 generation), 64 l (3 and 4), 65 l (5), 70 l (6 and 7 generation 2.5i CVT / 2.4i Turbo CVT). 7 restyle 2.4i CVT tank not measured; 7 restyle 2.5i CVT still 70 l.

Kerb weight rose 1125 kg (1.8 AWD MT) to 1714 kg (2.4i Turbo CVT and restyle 2.4i CVT). kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp):

• 5 generation 2.5 i AWD MT 1533/285 ≈ 5.38 kg/hp; 2.5 i AWD AT 1510/285 ≈ 5.30 — lightest per horsepower.
• 5 generation 2.5 i AWD 265 hp: 1577/265 ≈ 5.95.
• 4 generation 3.0 MT 1560/245 ≈ 6.37; 7 restyle 2.4i CVT 1714/264 ≈ 6.49; 7 generation 2.4i Turbo CVT 1714/260 ≈ 6.59.
• 6 generation 3.6R AWD CVT 1573/256 ≈ 6.14; restyle 1687/256 ≈ 6.59 — the restyle added 114 kg at the same 256 hp.
• 7 generation 2.5i CVT 1587/182 ≈ 8.72; 6 generation 2.5i AWD CVT 1573/175 ≈ 8.99; restyle 1591/175 ≈ 9.09.
• 1 generation 1.8 AWD MT 1125/103 ≈ 10.92.

Gross weight where measured: 1785–2075 kg band on 4th–5th generation cars; not measured on 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 generations (except some 5 generation rows: 2.0d AWD 2045, 2.0 i MT AWD 2000, 2.0 i AWD 2020, 2.5 i AWD MT 1795, 2.5 i AWD AT 1785).

Which version to choose

If you are buying new-era (2019–) and want daily economy: 7 generation 2.5i CVT or 7 generation, restyling 2.5i CVT. Same 182 hp, 239 Nm, 2498 cm³, Opposite 4, boost No, Variable, AWD, kerb 1587 kg, mixed 7.8 l/100 km, tank 70 l. Restyle adds measured 150 mm clearance (pre-restyle clearance not measured). Compression 12, bore 94 x 90, fuel 95.

If you want the current high-power car: 7 generation, restyling 2.4i CVT (264 hp, 194 kW @ 5800, 2384 cm³, Turbo, Variable, AWD, kerb 1714 kg, clearance 150 mm). Versus restyle 2.5i CVT that is +82 hp and +127 kg. Torque is listed 239 Nm @ 4400 on both restyle cars — the turbo does not show a torque advantage in this table. The pre-restyle 2.4i Turbo CVT is the one with 375 Nm @ 2000: +136 Nm versus its 2.5i CVT (239 Nm), at 260 hp versus 182, mixed 8.7 versus 7.8, kerb 1714 versus 1587. Buyers who want the 375 Nm figure should look at 7 generation 2.4i Turbo CVT (2019-04-01–2022-08-31), not the restyle 2.4i CVT.

If you want a six-cylinder without turbo numbers: 6 generation 3.6R AWD CVT (256 hp, 335 Nm, 3629 cm³, 6 Inline, Variable, AWD, kerb 1573 kg, mixed 10.2) or 6 generation, restyling 1 3.6R AWD CVT (3630 cm³, kerb 1687 kg, mixed not measured, city 11.7). Versus the same-generation 2.5i AWD CVT (175 hp, 235 Nm, 2498 cm³, 4 Inline): +81 hp, +100 Nm, +1131–1132 cm³, mixed +2.4 l/100 km on the pre-restyle pair (10.2 versus 7.8). Specific output 70.5 versus 70.1 hp/l — almost equal; the six is larger, not denser. 5 generation 3.6R i AWD is 265 hp, 6 Opposite, Turbo, Automatic 5, 1579 kg; 0–100 not measured.

If you want the shortest measured 0–100: three cars at 6.2 s — 5 generation 2.5 i AWD 265 hp (Manual 5, Turbo, 1577 kg, city 13 / highway 9.4, mixed not measured, 245 km/h); 5 generation, restyling 1 2.5 AT 265 hp (Automatic 5, Turbo, 1542 kg, mixed 10.6, CO2 250, 245 km/h); 5 generation, restyling 1 2.0 MT Diesel 150 hp at 1542 kg (mixed 5.9, CO2 156, 245 km/h). The Diesel at 6.2 s uses 4.7 l/100 km less mixed than the 265 hp 2.5 AT (5.9 versus 10.6). The other restyle Diesel 2.0 MT at 1575 kg is 9.6 s and 203 km/h — same 150 hp name, 3.4 s and 42 km/h apart; pick by those two rows, not by the badge.

If you want 285 hp: only 5 generation 2.5 i AWD MT (Manual 6, 1533 kg, mixed 9.1, city/highway not measured, 0–100 not measured) and 2.5 i AWD AT (Automatic 5, 1510 kg, mixed 8.3). Boost is listed No on both. The Automatic is 23 kg lighter and 0.8 l/100 km lower on mixed.

If you want a Diesel and Euro 5 CO2: 5 generation 2.0d AWD (150 hp, 350 Nm @ 1800, 1998 cm³, Turbo, Manual 6, 9.3 s, 206 km/h, mixed 5.9, CO2 156, tank 65, kerb 1575, GVW 2045, clearance 150) or the two restyle 2.0 MT diesels above. No Diesel exists after 5 generation, restyling 1 in this catalogue.

If you want a Manual gearbox (Variable dominates from 6 generation on): 4 generation 3.0 MT (6.9 s, 243 km/h, mixed 12.1) is the fastest Manual with a full performance set besides the 5 generation 265/285 cars. 4 generation 2.0 MT 165 hp is 9.5 s and 214 km/h at mixed 7.6 — 2.6 s slower than 3.0 MT but 4.5 l/100 km better mixed. 4 generation 2.0 MT 138 hp is 11.5 s / 193 km/h at the same 7.6 mixed as the 165 hp 2.0 MT — same economy, 27 hp less, 2.0 s slower. 4 restyle 2.5 MT 173 hp: 9.3 s, 219 km/h, mixed 8.5, CO2 202.

If you want light kerb and do not need measured fuel: 1 generation 1.8 AWD MT 1125 kg / 103 hp, or 2.5 i AWD MT of 2 generation at 1265 kg / 150 hp. 2 generation turbos: 2.0 i Turbo AWD MT 1330 kg / 250 hp (5.32 kg/hp, close to the 285 hp cars) and 2.0 i Turbo AWD AT 1370 kg; 0–100, top speed, and fuel not measured.

If you want 3 generation with measured times: 2.5 AWD MT 156 hp, 9.0 s, 208 km/h, 1410 kg versus 2.5 AWD AT 9.6 s, 205 km/h, 1440 kg — Automatic costs 0.6 s and 3 km/h. The second 2.5 AWD MT / 2.5 AWD AT pair at the same 156 hp has 0–100 and top speed not measured. 2.0 AWD MT 125 hp: 10.7 s / 194 km/h (1390 kg) versus 11.1 s / 188 km/h (1430 kg). 2.0 AWD AT: 11.8 s / 188 versus 12.2 s / 180.

What the extra generation buys (arithmetic only):

• 6 → 7 on the 2.5: 175 → 182 hp (+7), 235 → 239 Nm, layout Inline → Opposite, compression 10 or 10.3 → 12, mixed 7.8 stays 7.8 (6 generation) while 6 restyle mixed is not measured; kerb 1573 → 1587 kg.
• 7 → 7 restyle on the 2.5: power, torque, mixed, kerb identical; clearance becomes 150 mm (was not measured); turbo name changes 2.4i Turbo CVT 260 hp / 375 Nm → 2.4i CVT 264 hp / 239 Nm, fuel and tank become not measured.
• 4 → 4 restyle on 2.5: 165 → 173 hp, 226 → 227 Nm, 0–100 9.6 → 9.3 s (MT), 206 → 219 km/h (MT); AT 11.0 → 10.8 s, 202 → 217 km/h. 3.0 MT figures unchanged (6.9 s, 243 km/h, mixed 12.1).
• 5 → 5 restyle: 170 hp 2.5 i AWD becomes 167 hp 2.5 AT; 265 hp remains 265 but gearbox Manual 5 → Automatic 5 and mixed becomes 10.6; Diesel 9.3 s / 206 km/h splits into 6.2 s / 245 and 9.6 s / 203.

Problems / reliability: this dataset has no failure rates, recalls, or service intervals. Those claims are not measured here.

Bottom line in one list: daily 7th-generation 2.5i CVT (182 hp, mixed 7.8); torque-rich turbo 7th-generation 2.4i Turbo CVT (260 hp, 375 Nm, mixed 8.7); current 264 hp restyle 2.4i CVT if you accept fuel not measured; six-cylinder 3.6R AWD CVT; Diesel 2.0d AWD or restyle 2.0 MT; 6.2 s petrol 2.5 AT 265 hp or 2.5 i AWD 265 hp; 285 hp 2.5 i AWD MT / 2.5 i AWD AT; measured-sprint Manual 3.0 MT; light old 1.8 AWD MT. All AWD, all Sedan; gearbox and the hp on duplicated names are what actually separate them.