Subaru Legacy III Station Wagon (BE,BH) 2.5 (156 Hp) AWD


Overall Rating

7.7 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 3.8 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 3.8 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

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 Station Wagon (BE,BH) Overview:

Subaru Legacy (III Station Wagon (BE,BH)). With 223 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1445 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 9.3 s). The top speed reaches 203 km/h. A car with an extended rear cargo area, combining passenger comfort with increased storage. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

2.5 (156 Hp) AWD Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

Offers a good blend of power and responsiveness, with the manual transmission allowing for more engaging and quicker acceleration.

Fuel Economy

Improved fuel efficiency compared to the automatic 2.5L, making it a more economical choice for its performance.

Best Use Case: Enthusiastic driving, mixed city/highway use, and those who prefer manual control.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for superior traction
  • • Spacious and versatile station wagon body with large cargo capacity
  • • Reliable Boxer engines (EJ25, EJ20) known for durability
  • • Comfortable ride with independent suspension
  • • Good visibility and practical interior

Cons:

  • • Fuel economy can be high, especially with automatic transmissions and larger engines
  • • Performance of 2.0L engines can feel underpowered, particularly with automatic
  • • Interior design and materials might feel dated compared to some rivals
  • • Potential for head gasket issues on some EJ25 engines (common for the era)
  • • Limited availability of parts for older models in some regions

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(II (BD,BG): 1997 - 1999).

General:
Brand:Subaru
Model:Legacy
Generation:III Station Wagon (BE,BH)
Modification (Engine):2.5 (156 Hp) AWD
Start of production:1998
End of production:2001
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Station wagon (estate)
Seats:5
Doors:5
Engine:
Power:156 Hp @ 5600 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:63.5 Hp/l [85mm 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:SOHC
Engine oil capacity:4.5 l
Coolant:6.8 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:12.5 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:7.2 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:9.1 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:9.3 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:9.3 sec
Maximum speed:203 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:9.3 kg/Hp, 108 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:6.5 kg/Nm, 154.3 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:8.8 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1445
Max. weight:1980
Max load:535
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:1646 l
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:528 l
Fuel tank capacity:64 l
Size:
Length:4680 mm mm [85mm more]
Width:1695 mm mm [Same width.]
Height:1515 mm mm [110mm more]
Wheelbase:2650 mm mm [20mm more]
Front track:1460 mm
Rear (Back) track:1455 mm
Ride height (ground clearance):165-155 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):11.5 m [above average]
Powertrain:
Drive wheelAll wheel drive (4x4)
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDisc [above average]
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires size205/50 R16
Wheel rims size6.5J x 16
Front suspensionIndependent type McPherson
Rear suspensionIndependent multi-link suspension

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