Subaru Legacy History
History
Introduced to the US for the 1990 model year, the Legacy was Subaru's flagship mid-size car, competing with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Its standard or optional AWD set it apart; by 1996 Subaru made AWD standard equipment on all North American Legacy models.
The Legacy wagon's 'Outback' trim — lifted, body-cladded, and positioned as a proto-crossover — was so popular that Subaru spun it into its own model nameplate for 1996, making the Outback one of history's most consequential Legacy variants.
Seven generations followed across more than three decades. The seventh-generation Legacy (2020) rides on the Subaru Global Platform with standard EyeSight driver assistance. Subaru confirmed the Legacy sedan would be discontinued after the 2025 model year for the US market, with the final unit built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive.
Generations
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First generation (BC/BF) · BC/BF
The original US Legacy — sedan and wagon with available AWD, launched as a Camry/Accord rival.
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Fourth generation (BL/BP) · BL/BP
A more refined Legacy with a 3.0-liter flat-six option on the wagon/sedan.
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Seventh generation (BN/BS/BT) · BT
SGP platform; standard EyeSight; final US generation (discontinuation announced).
Body styles
- Sedan
- Wagon
Related models