Verdict
B
Saloon · Japan · 1989-2018
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Legacy — spec data and generation history.
Years
1989-2018
Generations
6
Segment
Saloon
The Legacy was Subaru's full-size saloon and estate — the Outback's sister, less rugged. Six generations from 1989 to 2018 in the UK, all flat-four / flat-six, all symmetrical AWD. BC/BJ Mk1 (1989-1994) was the original; BD/BG Mk2 (1994-1999) brought the Outback variant; BE/BH Mk3 (1998-2003) added the H6 3.0; BL/BP Mk4 (2003-2009) is the sweet spot — sharper looks, GT spec-B with twin-scroll turbo; BM/BR Mk5 (2009-2014) was bigger; BN/BS Mk6 (2014-2018) was the last UK car before discontinuation. JDM tuner cult-favourite Mk2/Mk3/Mk4 GT with twin-turbo flat-four. The Mk4 GT spec-B is the keeper.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
Mk3 BE/BH 1998-2003 → Mk4 BL/BP 2003-2009
BHP +25 bhp
MPG +5 mpg
0–60 mph −1.0 s
Cabin Improved
Tech SatNav optional
Mk4 BL/BP 2003-2009 → Mk5 BM/BR 2009-2014
Size Larger
BHP Same
MPG +5 mpg
Sales Slowing
Cabin More space
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1989-1994
Mk1 BC/BJ
→
2.0 Turbo — 197 bhp, 0-62 in 7.8s.
Verdict
B
BHP
197
0–60
7.8 s
Top
137 mph
MPG
22 mpg
Used
$2,500-$10,000
- + Original modern Legacy
- + RS Turbo (200 bhp) world record holder
- − Head gasket
- − Rust
1994-1999
Mk2 BD/BG
→
2.5 GT-B Twin Turbo — 276 bhp, 0-62 in 6.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
276
0–60
6.5 s
Top
149 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$3,200-$11,000
- + Twin-turbo GT-B legend
- + Outback variant added
- − Head gasket EJ25
- − Rust
1998-2003
Mk3 BE/BH
→
GT-B Twin Turbo — 276 bhp, 0-62 in 6.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
276
0–60
6.4 s
Top
149 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$3,200-$11,000
- + H6 3.0 added
- + Twin-turbo continues
- − EJ25 head gasket persists
- − Auto box weak
2003-2009
Mk4 BL/BP
→
2.5 GT spec-B — 261 bhp, 0-62 in 5.7s.
Verdict
A
BHP
261
0–60
5.7 s
Top
152 mph
MPG
22 mpg
Used
$4,400-$15,000
- + GT spec-B is the keeper
- + Sharper looks than Mk3
- − EJ25 ringland on tuned
- − Auto box cooler
2009-2014
Mk5 BM/BR
→
2.5 GT — 261 bhp, 0-62 in 6.3s.
Verdict
B
BHP
261
0–60
6.3 s
Top
144 mph
MPG
23 mpg
Used
$5,100-$13,000
- + Bigger than Mk4
- + Outback variant capable
- − CVT failures
- − Cabin still dated
2014-2018
Mk6 BN/BS
→
2.5i — 173 bhp, 0-62 in 9.9s.
Verdict
C
BHP
173
0–60
9.9 s
Top
124 mph
MPG
27 mpg
Used
$7,000-$16,000
- + EyeSight standard
- + Cabin best yet
- − UK sales miserable
- − Discontinued 2018
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1989-1994 · Mk1 BC/BJ
- Head gasket on EJ22
- Rust on sills
- Rear suspension bushes
1994-1999 · Mk2 BD/BG
- Head gasket EJ25
- Twin-turbo plumbing on GT
- CV joint wear
1998-2003 · Mk3 BE/BH
- EJ25 head gasket
- H6 valve cover gasket
- Air mass meter wear
2003-2009 · Mk4 BL/BP
- EJ25 ringland on tuned cars
- Auto box cooler line
- Front wheel bearings
2009-2014 · Mk5 BM/BR
- CVT failures
- EJ25 head gasket persists
- Steering rack play
2014-2018 · Mk6 BN/BS
- CVT torque converter
- EyeSight calibration
- Boxer engine clatter
Rivals
Audi A4 Avant · BMW 3 Series Touring · Subaru Outback · Volvo V70