Is the Subaru Legacy a 4 or 6 cylinder?
The Subaru Legacy’s modern lineup uses a four-cylinder engine, while older generations offered six-cylinder options. Here’s a concise, up-to-date look at what powers today’s Legacy and how engine choices have evolved over time.
Current engine configuration
The latest Legacy models rely on a 2.5-liter flat-four (boxer) engine. This four-cylinder setup is paired with Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system and remains the sole engine choice in the current lineup, reflecting a focus on efficiency and balanced performance.
For buyers, this configuration typically translates to solid fuel economy, straightforward maintenance, and standard AWD, which is a hallmark of Subaru’s design philosophy.
Historical engine options
Over its history, the Legacy has been offered with both four- and six-cylinder engines. The following summarizes the main configurations that appeared across different generations.
Below is a snapshot of the main engine options used in various Legacy generations:
- Current generation: 2.5-liter flat-4 (boxer) engine in standard models.
- Earlier generations: six-cylinder boxer engines (typically 3.0L or 3.6L) were available on select trims/years.
In practice, older Legacy years provided more powerful six-cylinder power for enthusiasts, while today’s lineup sticks with the four-cylinder setup to emphasize efficiency and reliability.
Generational snapshots
Across different model years, the Legacy’s engine choices varied by market and trim. The shift to an all-four lineup in recent generations aligns with broader industry trends toward better fuel economy and lower emissions, while still delivering the practical all-wheel-drive performance Subaru is known for.
What this means for buyers
For contemporary buyers, the Legacy’s four-cylinder configuration offers favorable fuel economy, reduced maintenance costs, and consistent AWD performance. If you’re seeking higher horsepower from older models, you would have needed to consider the six-cylinder variants that were offered in certain years, but these are no longer part of the current lineup.
Summary
The Subaru Legacy is currently a four-cylinder vehicle. While six-cylinder boxer engines were available in some older generations, the modern Legacy lineup employs only a four-cylinder configuration.
