What kind of engine does a Subaru Legacy have?
Subaru’s Legacy uses a boxer-style four-cylinder engine lineup, with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine in base models and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in higher trims, all paired with standard all-wheel drive.
Engine layout and design
Subaru’s hallmark is the horizontally opposed "boxer" four-cylinder layout. The design lowers the engine’s center of gravity, improves balance, and pairs with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system to deliver stable handling in a variety of conditions.
The boxer engine in context
The term "boxer" refers to opposing pistons moving in a flat plane, which helps reduce vibration and contributes to a compact engine package that fits across Subaru’s drivetrain layouts. This configuration has been a cornerstone of Subaru engineering for decades.
Current engine options in the Legacy
Here are the two engine configurations that have been available in recent model years, along with typical outputs and notes on fuel and transmission.
- 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-four (part of the FA/FB engine family). Typical output around 182 horsepower and about 176 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive; designed for efficiency and everyday driving. Uses regular unleaded gasoline.
- 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four (commonly the FA24 turbo). Roughly 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque when run on premium gasoline; paired with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive across higher trims. The turbo engine offers stronger acceleration and performance for enthusiasts, with higher fuel requirements.
The two-engine setup reflects Subaru’s approach to balancing everyday practicality with available performance, while maintaining standard all-wheel drive across the lineup.
Historical context and market variations
Across its history, the Legacy has seen a range of engines, including larger flat-6 options in some older generations. In the current and recent generations, Subaru has focused on four-cylinder boxer engines, with no factory sedan variant offering a V6. Availability of specific engines can vary by market and model year.
Summary
The Legacy’s propulsion comes from a boxer four-cylinder family: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine for everyday driving and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine for enhanced performance, with standard all-wheel drive and a CVT across most configurations. This combination emphasizes practicality, stability, and the characteristic Subaru handling that defines the model.
