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Subaru Legacy

Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback – The Subaru Flagship Models

Subaru Legacy/Outback Model Overview

The Subaru Legacy, and the related Subaru Outback is a mid-size car produced by Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries) since 1989. The car sits above the Subaru Impreza and is the flagship Subaru model.

The Subaru Outback appeared with the second generation Legacy (that’s why Outback’s generation numbers don’t match the ones of the Legacy). Until about 2000, the Outback was called Subaru Legacy Outback, but after 2000, Subaru dropped the Legacy moniker. The Outback shares many components with the Legacy, but it is usually with higher ground clearance, plastic arch mouldings and station wagon body (although there are Outback sedans)

The first generation Subaru Legacy used only 4-cylinder engines, in the traditional for Subaru boxer layout. The flat-four engines used were: EJ18 (1.8l), Ej20 (2.0l), and EJ22 (2.2l).


Subaru Legacy 2nd generation, BD/BG/BK (1993 – 1998):

Subaru Legacy (Liberty) 1996

The second generation Subaru Legacy (and first gen Subaru Outback) saw the introduction of the 2.5-liter EJ25 engine series, which has been a staple in the Subaru lineup ever since.

Subaru Legacy BD/BG/BK Engine Models List
  • Subaru Legacy (115 HP) – 1.8 L
  • Subaru Legacy (120 HP) – 1.8 L
  • Subaru Legacy (125 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy (135 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy (155 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy (135 HP) – 2.2 L
  • Subaru Legacy (160 HP) – 2.5 L
  • Subaru Legacy (175 HP) – 2.5 L
  • Subaru Legacy GT (250 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy GT (260 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy GT (280 HP) – 2.0 L


Subaru Legacy 3rd Gen / Subaru Outback 2nd Gen, BE/BH/BT (1998 – 2003):

1999 Subaru Liberty (Legacy)

With the third generation Subaru Legacy (2nd gen Subaru Outback) Subaru was now aiming at the premium market, and introduced a brand new 3.0l 6-cylinder engine – EZ30D with 220HP.

Subaru Legacy BE/BH/BT Engine Models List
  • Subaru Legacy (137 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy (157 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy (172 HP) – 2.5 L
  • Subaru Legacy (223 HP) – 3.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy GT (260 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy GT (280 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy STI S401 (293 HP) – 2.0 L
Subaru Legacy BE/BH/BT Gallery

Subaru Legacy 4th Gen / Subaru Outback 3rd Gen, BL/BP (2003 – 2009):

Subaru Outback 3.0
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0R

The main event during the production of the 4th gen Legacy (3rd gen Outback) was the introduction of the Subaru Boxer Diesel engine – the EE20.
The fourth Legacy had Flat-4 diesels EE20, and also petrol 2.5-liter turbocharged EJ25. This engine had great power and fuel economy, but the version prior to the 2010 revision had huge reliability issues, and are better avoided.

Subaru Legacy BL/BP Engine Models List
  • Subaru Legacy (140 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy/Outback (165 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy/Outback (180 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy/Outback (165 HP) – 2.5 L
  • Subaru Legacy/Outback (173 HP) – 2.5 L
  • Subaru Legacy/Outback (245 HP) – 3.0 L – EZ30D / EZ30R
  • Subaru Legacy GT/ Outback XT (250 HP) – 2.5 L
  • Subaru Legacy GT (280 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy GT STI (264 HP) – 2.0 L
  • Subaru Legacy STI S402 (285 HP) – 2.5 L
  • Subaru Legacy D (150 HP) – 2.0

Subaru Legacy 5th Gen (Subaru Outback 4th Gen)

Subaru Legacy 5th Gen 2.5 GT
Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 2010


Header image credits: By EurovisionNim – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74475918