Is a Subaru Legacy good on gas?

Yes — for a midsize sedan with standard all-wheel drive, the Legacy offers respectable fuel economy, though it isn’t a hybrid. Expect typical numbers in the high-20s to mid-30s mpg, depending on year and engine configuration.

Overview: what affects the Legacy’s fuel economy

TheLegacy’s efficiency hinges on several factors, from the engine and transmission to weight and driving style. While Subaru equips the Legacy with all-wheel drive (AWD) as a core feature, the brand also emphasizes practicality and safety, which can influence real-world mileage. EPA estimates and real-world tests show a broad range across generations, reflecting changes in powertrains, aerodynamics, and tire choices.

The main factors influencing gas mileage in the Legacy are:

• Engine and powertrain: Most recent generations rely on a 2.5-liter boxer-four paired with a CVT, prioritizing efficiency and smooth operation.


• All-wheel drive: AWD is standard on most Legacy models, which improves traction but adds weight and drivetrain loss that can reduce mpg versus front-drive rivals.


• Transmission: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is designed to optimize fuel efficiency but can feel different in response depending on throttle behavior.


• Vehicle weight and aerodynamics: The Legacy’s size and shape influence highway efficiency and stability at speed.


• Maintenance and tires: Proper tire pressure, alignment, and routine maintenance help maximize fuel economy.

In practical terms, drivers typically see mpg in the upper 20s to low/mid 30s across recent generations, with highway cruising delivering the strongest figures.

Engine options and how they affect MPG

Most current Legacy models use the 2.5-liter flat-4 with a CVT. This setup balances reasonable power with efficiency, especially on long highway trips, and is paired with standard AWD for year-round capability. Earlier generations offered different configurations, but the 2.5L CVT remains the central value proposition for efficiency in today’s market.

Before the list: Here are the general expectations for how the engine and drivetrain influence fuel economy across typical Legacy configurations.

• 2.5-liter boxer-4 with CVT (the standard setup in modern Legacies): EPA estimates tend to place combined mileage around the 30 mpg mark, with highway figures in the mid-to-upper 30s and city mileage in the upper 20s to around 30 mpg depending on year and driving conditions.


• All-wheel drive: With AWD standard, mpg is generally lower than front-drive peers, by a few mpg in real-world driving, though the trade-off is enhanced traction and stability.


• Performance-focused or older variants: Some earlier models offered different engines or trim-specific tuning, but today’s mainstream Legacy emphasizes efficiency with the 2.5L CVT as the norm.

Conclusion: For most buyers, the 2.5L Legacy with CVT provides a solid compromise between efficiency, interior space, and all-weather capability.

Real-world performance and owner feedback

Auto reviewers and real-world drivers often compare the Legacy’s mpg to peers in the midsize segment. While EPA numbers provide a baseline, actual fuel economy depends on conditions such as commute length, traffic, climate, and tire setup. Independent tests and owner reports consistently show the Legacy delivering respectable highway mpg, with city numbers lagging behind smaller, non-AWD sedans.

• Urban/mixed driving: Stop-and-go traffic and cold starts can push mpg toward the lower end of the range.


• Highway cruising: Consistent speeds at steady loads yield the best mpg, often approaching the upper end of the Legacy’s typical range.


• Tire and maintenance impact: Mismatched tires, underinflation, or delayed maintenance can noticeably reduce mpg.

Bottom line: With mindful driving and proper maintenance, owners can approach or match EPA estimates, though the Legacy’s AWD and size mean it may not be as fuel-efficient as compact, non-AWD rivals.

How the Legacy compares to peers

In the midsize sedan class, the Legacy’s fuel economy is competitive for an all-wheel-drive model but generally trails hybrid alternatives and some front-drive rivals that offer higher city mpg. The trade-off is clear: the Legacy emphasizes AWD capability, interior space, and safety technology, which appeals to many buyers even if it means modestly lower fuel economy in certain conditions.

• Compared with non-hybrid midsize sedans: The Legacy’s mpg is solid, particularly on highways, but not class-leading in mixed driving due to AWD and weight.


• Compared with hybrid competitors: Hybrids typically achieve noticeably higher city mpg and often better overall efficiency, though they may sacrifice AWD availability or higher upfront cost.

Conclusion: If gas mileage is a top priority, a hybrid or a smaller, lighter sedan may edge out the Legacy. If you value AWD, spacious interior, and steady efficiency, the Legacy remains a compelling option.

Summary

The Subaru Legacy offers a well-rounded balance of efficiency, all-season capability, and interior practicality. With the standard 2.5-liter engine and CVT, most generations achieve mpg that sits in the high-20s to mid-30s, depending on year, driving conditions, and tire setup. While not a hybrid, the Legacy remains competitive within its class, especially for buyers who want AWD and strong real-world performance. For the most accurate picture, check the EPA ratings for the exact model year you’re considering and consult recent road tests or owner surveys to gauge typical mileage in your area.

Which Subaru is the most gas efficient?

The most fuel-efficient Subaru models are the Legacy and Impreza, with the Forester Hybrid leading overall if you include hybrid options. The Legacy sedan gets an EPA-estimated 27 MPG city/35 MPG highway, while the Impreza hatchback achieves 27 MPG city/34 MPG highway. For a hybrid option, the Crosstrek Hybrid offers a much higher fuel efficiency, rated up to 90 MPGe.
 

Model	City MPG	Highway MPG
2025 Legacy (2.5L engine)	27	35
2025 Impreza (2.0L engine)	27	34
2025 Forester Hybrid	35	34
Crosstrek Hybrid	90 MPGe (combined)	90 MPGe (combined)

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Gas-only models

• Subaru Legacy: With the base 2.5-liter engine, the Legacy sedan offers an EPA-estimated 27 MPG city and 35 MPG highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient gas-only options. 
• Subaru Impreza: The Impreza hatchback is a strong contender with an estimated 27 MPG city and 34 MPG highway. 
• Subaru Forester: This compact SUV gets an estimated 26 MPG city and 33 MPG highway with its base engine, which is very efficient for its class. 

Hybrid model

• Crosstrek Hybrid: This is Subaru's most fuel-efficient vehicle, combining gas and electric power for an estimated 90 MPGe. This is a significant advantage for city driving and offers substantial fuel savings. 

What affects your mileage

• Engine and transmission: Turbocharged engines and manual transmissions generally have lower MPG ratings compared to their base counterparts. 
• Driving habits: Your driving habits, like speed and acceleration, will impact the actual gas mileage you get. 
• Tires: Tires and all-terrain features can negatively affect fuel economy due to increased rolling resistance and compromised aerodynamics. 

Is a Subaru good on gas?

Yes, many Subarus are good on gas, with models like the Impreza and Legacy offering up to 36 mpg highway, while the Crosstrek and Forester also provide competitive fuel economy for SUVs. Their fuel efficiency is supported by engineering advancements like the Boxer engine, Lineartronic CVT, and lightweight, aerodynamic designs. 
Fuel-efficient models

• Subaru Impreza: Can achieve up to 36 mpg highway and 28 mpg city with its standard engine. 
• Subaru Legacy: Offers up to 35 mpg highway and 27 mpg city, making it one of the most efficient sedans in the lineup. 
• Subaru Crosstrek: A compact SUV that can get up to 34 mpg highway and 27 mpg city. 
• Subaru Forester: Delivers up to 33 mpg highway and 26 mpg city. 
• Subaru Outback: Provides up to 32 mpg highway and 26 mpg city, a solid rating for a midsize SUV. 

Factors contributing to efficiency

• Boxer engine: The flat-mounted Boxer engine's design creates a lower center of gravity and reduces vibration, which helps with balance and efficiency.
• Lineartronic CVT: The continuously variable transmission is engineered to keep the engine in its most efficient power band.
• Lightweight materials: Using lighter materials in construction helps reduce the vehicle's overall weight, which improves fuel economy.
• Aerodynamic design: Subaru's focus on aerodynamics helps reduce drag, further boosting fuel efficiency. 

What are the cons of a Subaru Legacy?

6) CVT Transmission can be a bit jerky at times. 7) Quality issues in the engine, it had a rattle from day-1 when started cold after sitting for a day or more. 8) Subaru constantly sends driving data from the car and there's no options to participate. Was this review helpful?

Does the Subaru Legacy have good gas mileage?

2025 Subaru Legacy Gas Mileage
Whichever engine you choose, you can expect exceptional Subaru Legacy gas mileage on the Danville roads. See the full breakdown of the Subaru Legacy mpg ratings for each powertrain below: 2.5L SUBARU BOXER® 4-Cylinder Engine: 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway / 30 mpg combined*