Is the Subaru Legacy rear wheel drive?
The Legacy is not rear-wheel drive. In today’s lineup, Subaru equips the Legacy with symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard, delivering power to all four wheels for better traction. There are no factory rear-wheel-drive Legacy models in recent years.
To understand why that matters, this article examines how the Legacy’s drivetrain works today, provides a brief history of Subaru’s AWD approach, and explains what drivers can expect in terms of performance and safety across different conditions.
Current drivetrain configuration
The following points summarize the Legacy's all-wheel-drive setup and its practical effects for drivers.
- Symmetrical AWD layout with a center differential distributes power to all four wheels, promoting balanced handling and stable traction on varied surfaces.
- AWD is standard across most, if not all, recent Legacy trims in the U.S., meaning there isn’t a factory front-wheel-drive option in the current lineup.
- The system works in concert with Subaru’s EyeSight safety features and vehicle dynamics controls to improve stability in rain, snow, and slick conditions.
- Engine and transmission choices in modern Legacies (typically a 2.5-liter flat-4 with a CVT or automatic) are paired with AWD to maximize grip without sacrificing efficiency.
In everyday driving, this AWD configuration provides noticeable traction benefits in poor weather and contributes to confident, predictable handling across road conditions.
Historical context of the Legacy's drivetrain
A quick look at how AWD became a core part of the Legacy and how the system evolved over time.
- Subaru popularized all-wheel drive across its lineup in the 1990s, and the Legacy was among the models that embraced AWD as a central design element rather than an option.
- Symmetrical AWD, Subaru’s characteristic setup, uses a balanced layout that keeps weight near the center of the vehicle, aiding stability and grip through a variety of weather scenarios.
- Through generations, AWD remained a defining feature of the Legacy, with the drivetrain consistently tied to safety and performance expectations—there have been no mainstream rear-wheel-drive Legacy variants in recent years.
That historical emphasis on AWD helps explain why buyers associate the Legacy with winter-weather capability and confident road manners, regardless of trim or model year.
Summary
The Subaru Legacy is not rear-wheel drive. It relies on Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system as standard in the current lineup, providing enhanced traction and stability across rain, snow, and slippery surfaces. This approach is a deliberate part of Subaru’s engineering philosophy and a key reason the Legacy remains popular in regions with challenging weather.
