Symmetrical All wheel drive
The Legacy represents a fresh new take on the sports sedan. Unlike some it isn’t merely rear-wheel-drive and unlike others it isn’t just front-wheel-drive. Instead, all four wheels are driven all the time thanks to Symmetrical All Wheel Drive. Symmetry gives you balance. Balance gives you control. That’s why Subaru has spent nearly 40 years perfecting the system which when matched with the Boxer engine for an almost perfectly symmetrical layout, maximises the power delivery with exceptional traction and generates balance and stability for total control in almost any condition. The result: heightened driver enjoyment.
Exceptional traction makes acceleration feel immediate and exhilarating and the symmetry helps the Legacy deliver responsive handling because it's more stable during cornering, for a unique feeling of control at all times. But it isn’t just about thrills without the spills. In bad weather, or in the precious seconds it takes to react to a sudden emergency situation, the symmetrical drivetrain with almost total side-to-side balance provides the stability, agility and traction that help you step around danger.

Boxer Engine
Life is all about choices and in the case of Legacy there are no less than three in the engine department.
Naturally smooth and strong, Legacy's effortless SOHC 2.5-litre engine delivers high fuel efficiency with ultra-clean emissions. This power unit has an incredible heritage and ongoing development has led to steady improvements over the years, while confirming the excellence of the fundamental design. 

Economical and exhilarating, Legacy’s 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft bristles with features that boost low and midrange torque. And from its naturally vibration-cancelling horizontally-opposed layout, it delivers unexpected refinement and response.

The Legacy 2.5 GT Premium gets a turbocharged, double overhead cam version of the 2,5-litre engine, and there’s 195 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque underfoot. A torque curve which is more of a tabletop than an arc makes for soothing performance, irrespective of the conditions. An intercooler with a 25 percent larger core and revised turbo intake plumbing contribute to minimal lag and consistent power output.

Transmission
A five-speed Sportshift automatic transmission with paddle shifts is fine-tuned for the GT application (including throttle blip control on downshifts), where instant reactions to driver commands enhance the experience.

A six-speed manual with a short throw and close ratios is the ideal fit for the free-revving 2.0-litre DOHC powerplant, providing a distinctly sporty feel.  The 6-speed also offers smooth and precise shifting, along with exceptionally light weight that add to the Legacy’s overall responsiveness. The 2.0i Premium is also available with the Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission– which comes with paddle shifters as standard - to provide a two-pedal self-shift option with hair-trigger reactions (shifts take less than a 10th of a second) on demand.
The state-of-the-art Lineartronic continuously variable transmission is nonetheless able to combine smoothness with intelligent shifting when left to its own devices (though always with the option of self-shifting via the paddles), and is therefore also a perfect companion for the more relaxed nature of the 2.5-litre SOHC engine. It provides seamless response to changing conditions and because it uses a chain instead of a belt—allowing a greater span of overall ratios for improved performance and efficiency, and faster responses to driver input – it is also lower in maintenance than traditional CVT ‘boxes.