2025 Subaru Legacy vs. 2025 Subaru Outback
Our article compares the 2025 Subaru Legacy against the 2025 Outback model.
The Legacy has been in existence since 1989, while the Outback evolved from the Legacy station wagon in 1996 when Subaru increased the ride height and suspension to compete in the fast-growing SUV class. The Outback went on to become its own model in 2008.
Sounds interesting? Read on as we compare the latest versions of the midsize Legacy sedan against the latest compact crossover Outback SUV.
What's New for 2025?
Unfortunately for fans of the sedan body shape, the American public's insatiable appetite for SUVs has meant that Subaru will discontinue its last sedan model after 2025 to concentrate on its SUV lineup.
The trims available for 2025 are Base, Premium, Limited, Sport and XT.
The Subaru Outback compact crossover model was refreshed in 2023 with new exterior styling, upgraded interior finishes, improved infotainment, and additional safety features.
Buyers wanting the latest will need to hang onto their money until 2026, when the new model is expected.
Nine trim packages are available for 2025: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and top-of-the-range Touring XT trim.
Exterior Differences
Buyers with a soft spot for the traditional four-door sedan body style will appreciate the Legacy's elegant styling that offers a generous list of standard exterior features.
The Legacy measures 191.1 inches long, 72.4 inches wide, and stands 59.1 inches high, riding on a wheelbase of 108.3 inches. The Legacy in Base trim weighs 3,492 pounds, while the fully loaded Touring XT tips the scales at 3,787 pounds.
Some standout features on all trims include:
- LED Steering Responsive Headlights
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Alloy wheels
- Two-speed windshield wipers with variable-intermittent mode and mist feature.
The Legacy can be ordered in up to six exterior paint colors depending on trim level.
The Outback crossover has a distinctive body design, with the latest model showing an angular and aggressive front fascia, LED headlights, and front LED fog lights.
The 2025 Outback measures 191.9 inches long, 74.2 inches wide, and 66.1 inches high. The Outback's wheelbase is ever so shorter than the Legacys at 180.1 inches.
All trims offer exterior features, including LED steering responsive headlights, a rear spoiler, front and rear windshield wiper de-icers, and 18-inch alloy wheels in various trim-dependent finishes wrapped in all-season tires.
The Standard roof rails are fitted with integrated and retractable crossbars offering a 150-pound maximum capacity and integrated tie-down points.
The standard four-wheel independent raised suspension offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance, while the Wilderness trim offers an impressive 9.5 inches that allows more serious offroading to be tackled.
Interior Comparison
The Legacy's cabin, seating five passengers, features well-chosen materials and quality construction with interior features that include analog instrument gauges, an LCD color screen displaying vehicle functions, an electronic parking brake, and auto-on/off wiper-linked headlights.
Key interior equipment specifications include:
- 3-spoke steering wheel with integrated controls
- Manually adjustable tilt/telescoping steering column
- Transmission paddle shifters
- Illuminated front USB-A input port
- Overhead console
- Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
- Center console
- Trunk underfloor storage tray
- 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatbacks
A SUBARU STARLINK® Dual 7.0-inch multimedia system with a high-resolution LCD touchscreen with multi-touch gesture displays, Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™ integration are standard along with SiriusXM® and SiriusXM® Travel Link®, AM/FM stereo, HD Radio® with four speakers, Bluetooth®, hands-free phone and text messaging connectivity, as well as a 3.5mm auxiliary jack.
The 2025 Subaru Legacy's trunk will swallow up to 15.1 cubic feet of cargo.
The five-seater 2025 Subaru Outback's interior, in line with its role as a go-anywhere versatile family transporter, is both functional and comfortably equipped.
The high seating positions provide unrestricted outward views that are particularly handy when tackling some backcountry roads.
Standard features are dual-zone climate control in all trims, but the Base trim offers standard air conditioning. Key interior items include:
- Keyless Access with Push-Button Start
- Auto-on/off wiper-linked headlights
- Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control
- Heated front seats
- Steering wheel controls
- Trip computer
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Electronic parking brake
Niceties such as a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats are the reserve of the pricier upper trims.
The same STARLINK multimedia system with dual 7.0-inch displays does duty in the Outback depending on the trim, with an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus or 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation system available in the upper trims.
The Outback will accommodate up to 32.6 cubic feet of cargo behind the second-row seat, which grows to 75.6 cubic feet once the reclining 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatback is lowered.
Powertrain Differences
The Legacy is fitted with a 2.5-liter "Boxer" four-cylinder engine pushing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque plus a second more powerful 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter "Boxer" four-cylinder with 277 pound-feet of torque on upper Sport and Touring XT trims.
Standard is a Lineartronic continuously variable automatic transmission with adaptive control, eight-speed manual mode, and Subaru's legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive system.
The Subaru Outback engine lineup mirrors that of the Legacy with Non-XT trim levels fitted with a 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer four-cylinder engine, making 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque while Wilderness and XT trim levels see fitment of the 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and torque of 277 pound-feet.
The Outback's engine is also coupled to a Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission, which features an eight-speed manual shift mode as well as steering wheel paddle shift control switches.
The standard dual-function X-MODE on the Outback lineup's symmetrical all-wheel drive system is further enhanced on the Wilderness trim with settings for dirt/snow and deep snow/mud.
Safety
Both models offer the latest similar safety and driver assistance technology, such as:
- Vehicle Dynamics Control
- 4-wheel disc ventilated front and rear brakes with ABS
- Traction Control System
- Subaru advanced frontal airbag system
Driver assistance aids include Subaru's EyeSight® suite with trim-dependent features like automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Find Your Next Subaru at Granite Subaru
Contact the Granite Subaru dealership located in Hudson, NH, when you need to purchase your next Subaru.
Our dedicated team will help you find your perfect vehicle from our extensive range of both new and pre-owned Subaru cars and SUVs.
