Subaru Cars

The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by the Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, and manufactured by its division Subaru since 1989, and is available as a sedan or wagon. Part of the original design goals for the Subaru Legacy model was to provide Subaru a vehicle in which they could compete in the lucrative North American midsize market against competitors Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Higher performance variants of the Subaru Legacy are offered as competitive alternatives to compact executive cars such as the Audi A4, Alfa Romeo 159 and BMW 3 Series. The Subaru Legacy also serves as Subaru's flagship car.

Subaru Legacy

In 1995, Subaru created the Outback trim package on the base model Subaru Legacy wagon "L", that primarily consisted of the heavy cloth interior, berber carpet floor mats, a luggage rack and fog lights with a standard height suspension. The 1996 model added raised ground clearance, raised roof-line and introduced the larger 2.5-liter, EJ25D engine (Automatic transmissions only until 1997), and was known as the Legacy Outback until 1999. In 2000, it became its own unique model, known simply as the Outback.

It is unique in its class for offering all wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine. The Subaru Legacy bears the name Liberty in Australia out of deference for Subaru Legacy Australia, a veterans' assistance organization. As of 2008, 3.6 million Legacies have been built since its 1989 introduction.

Subaru Legacy

First generation (1989–1994) - BC, BJ, BF
The introduction of the Subaru Legacy was a notable departure from Subaru products in the past. The Legacy was formally released January 23, 1989 in Japan, with an introductory price of ¥2,550,000 for the turbocharged RS (approx. USD $18,800 at 1989 yen exchange rate). The first Subaru Legacy was available at Japanese dealerships on February 1, 1989, with worldwide distribution starting in 1990.

Second generation (1994–1999) - BD, BG, BK
Second generation Subaru Legacy sales in Japan began October 7, 1993, and an introductory price of ¥2,753,000 for the twin turbo GT (approx USD $25,250 at 1993 yen exchange rate), with an introduction for model year 1995 in North America with a full body and chassis revision. The exterior was designed by Olivier Boulay, who was hired by Subaru on a short-term basis. The tail light appearance on both the sedan and wagon was influenced by the taillights on the SVX. In 1996, Subaru decided to make AWD standard equipment in all vehicles produced for the North American market from that year to today's current date. Subaru still offered a choice between FWD and AWD for its domestic market vehicles for this generation. The increased ground clearance Outback was introduced with this generation in 1995 with AWD only internationally, and the air suspension with height control was no longer offered.

Subaru Legacy

Third generation (1998–2003) - BE, BH
Subaru launched the third generation Japanese and world-market Subaru Legacy in June 1998, while the North American model started production in late 1999 as a 2000 model, also known as the BE for sedan models and BH for wagons. European-market and Japanese models ranged from a normally aspirated 2.0 L flat-4 to the EZ30 flat-6 in the 3.0R model (European and Japanese trim level designation), with the twin turbo that was offered in the previous generation still offered on performance models. In the US market the third generation Subaru Legacy went on sale with the 2.5 L EJ251 Engine standard. In 2001 the EZ30, a newly designed 3.0 L H6 was offered in the Outbacks. The engine now met California's LEV emission standard.

Subaru Legacy

Fourth generation (2003–2009) - BL, BP
On May 23, 2003, Fuji Heavy Industries debuted the redesigned Subaru Legacy , known as the BL for sedan models and BP for wagons. It was released worldwide in 2004, with Subaru Indiana Automotive commencing production in January 2004 for the North American markets. The Subaru Legacy was presented the 2003–2004 Japan Car of the Year, Subaru's first win for the award. Lance Armstrong was used as a spokesman for both the sedan and wagon, and Sheryl Crow sang her 1996 hit "Everyday Is a Winding Road" in USA market commercials.

Fifth generation (2009–) - BM, BR
In 2009, a Subaru Legacy concept was designed to commemorate 20th anniversary of the model, reported to be the basis of the production version of the then upcoming fifth generation Subaru Legacy. The concept vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Production of the fifth generation 2010 Subaru Legacy began the last week of May 2009 at the Indiana location, and was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show. According to the Subaru website in Japan, the Legacy was introduced in Japan on May 20, 2009. The Subaru Legacy B4 2.5GT tS tuned by STi was introduced to Japan June 12, 2010. May 2010, the "EyeSight" feature introduced on the previous generation Subaru Legacy was re-introduced on the Japan-spec Touring Wagon and Outback.

Subaru Legacy photos