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Subaru Legacy III (BE,BH) 2.5 (156 Hp) AWD Automatic
Overall Rating
Subaru Legacy:
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru from 1989 to 2025. The maker's flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine.
In 1996, a variant of the Legacy with heightened suspension called the Legacy Outback was introduced to compete in the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle class, and proved to be a sales success for Subaru. The Outback line was split into its own model in 2008, known as the Subaru Outback....(Read more on Wikipedia)
III (BE,BH) Overview:
Subaru Legacy (III (BE,BH)). With 223 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1440 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. All‑wheel drive provides excellent grip, ideal for off‑road use. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 10.1 s). The top speed reaches 205 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
2.5 (156 Hp) AWD Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Offers decent power for daily driving and highway cruising, though the automatic transmission slightly blunts acceleration compared to manual variants.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is moderate for a full-time AWD sedan with an automatic gearbox, reflecting its larger engine and drivetrain losses.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- • Comfortable ride quality
- • Spacious interior for its class
- • Reliable boxer engines (with proper maintenance)
- • Good handling and stability
Cons:
- • Potential for EJ25 head gasket issues
- • Fuel economy can be moderate for larger engines
- • Aging interior design
- • Limited engine options in some markets
- • Automatic transmission can feel sluggish
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(II (BD,BG): 1997 - 1999).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Subaru |
| Model: | Legacy |
| Generation: | III (BE,BH) |
| Modification (Engine): | 2.5 (156 Hp) AWD Automatic |
| Start of production: | 1998 |
| End of production: | 2001 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 156 Hp @ 5600 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 63.5 Hp/l [10mm more] |
| Torque: | 223 Nm @ 3600 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | EJ25 More details about the engine EJ25 |
| Engine displacement: | 2457 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Boxer |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.5 l |
| Coolant: | 6.7 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 99.5 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 79 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 12.9 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 7.2 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 9.3 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 10.1 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 10.1 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 205 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 9.2 kg/Hp, 108.3 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 6.5 kg/Nm, 154.9 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 9.6 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1440 |
| Max. weight: | 1910 |
| Max load: | 470 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 455 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 64 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4605 mm mm [10mm more] |
| Width: | 1695 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1415 mm mm [10mm more] |
| Wheelbase: | 2650 mm mm [20mm more] |
| Front track: | 1460 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1460 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 160-155 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 11.4 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drive wheel | All wheel drive (4x4) |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc [above average] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 205/50 R16 |
| Wheel rims size | 6.5J x 16 |
| Front suspension | Independent type McPherson |
| Rear suspension | Independent multi-link suspension |
What’s the best feature of the Subaru Legacy? Tell us in the comments!