Battle Of The Wagons: Subaru Outback Vs. Legacy Wagon – Which One Reigns Supreme?

When it comes to versatile and capable wagons, the Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon stand out as two of the most popular choices in the market. Both vehicles offer a blend of ruggedness, practicality, and comfort, making them ideal for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who needs a vehicle that can handle a variety of road conditions. However, there are some key differences between these two wagons that may influence your decision when choosing the right one for your needs. In this blog post, we will compare the Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon in terms of their performance, features, cargo space, fuel efficiency, price, and more, to help you make an informed decision.

Performance: Power and Handling

Under the hood, the Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon offer different engine options that cater to a range of driving preferences. The Outback comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides adequate power for everyday driving and light off-roading. For those seeking more power, the Outback offers a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivers a more exhilarating driving experience and makes the Outback more capable when tackling challenging terrain.

On the other hand, the Legacy Wagon comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, similar to the Outback’s base engine. However, the Legacy Wagon also offers a more powerful 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine that generates 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides a smooth and refined driving experience, making the Legacy Wagon a great choice for those who prioritize comfort and performance.

In terms of handling, both the Outback and Legacy Wagon offer a comfortable and composed ride. The Outback’s higher ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive system give it an edge when it comes to off-roading and driving in inclement weather conditions. The Legacy Wagon, with its lower center of gravity and car-like handling, provides a more engaging driving experience on paved roads.

Features: Comfort, Convenience, and Technology

When it comes to features, the Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon offer a wide range of amenities to enhance comfort, convenience, and connectivity. Both vehicles come standard with a user-friendly infotainment system with a touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone integration. They also offer a variety of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

However, there are some notable differences in the features offered by the Outback and Legacy Wagon. The Outback comes standard with a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen display compared to the Legacy Wagon’s 7-inch display. The Outback also offers a more comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. Additionally, the Outback has a more rugged exterior design with additional cladding and skid plates, making it more suitable for off-road adventures.

Cargo Space: Versatility and Practicality

When it comes to cargo space, the Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon offer similar levels of versatility and practicality. Both vehicles have a spacious cargo area with a low load floor, making it easy to load and unload items. The Outback offers slightly more cargo space with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Legacy Wagon offers 30.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

However, the Outback has a more versatile cargo area with a standard hands-free power liftgate and a dual-position cargo floor. The dual-position cargo floor allows you to create a flat load surface or a lower compartment for storing taller items. Additionally, the Outback offers a variety of cargo accessories, such as a roof rack and a cargo tray, to further enhance its cargo-carrying capabilities.

Fuel Efficiency: Miles per Gallon and Range

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon offer comparable ratings. The Outback with the 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Outback with the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The Legacy Wagon with the 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Legacy Wagon with the 3.6-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Overall, both vehicles offer respectable fuel efficiency for their size and class. The Outback with the 2.5-liter engine is slightly more fuel-efficient than the Legacy Wagon with the same engine, while the Legacy Wagon with the 3.6-liter engine is less fuel-efficient than the Outback with the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine.

Price: Value for Money and Trim Levels

When it comes to price, the Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon offer competitive pricing with a range of trim levels to suit different budgets and preferences. The Outback starts at an MSRP of $27,645 for the base trim level, while the Legacy Wagon starts at an MSRP of $25,945 for the base trim level.

The Outback offers a total of six trim levels, including the base trim, Premium, Limited, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, and Touring XT. The Legacy Wagon offers a total of five trim levels, including the base trim, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring XT.

Both vehicles offer a variety of features and options to customize and enhance the driving experience. The higher trim levels offer more advanced features, such as a larger touchscreen display, a premium audio system, a sunroof, and leather upholstery.

Key Points: Choosing the Right Wagon for Your Needs

The Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon are both excellent choices for those seeking a versatile and capable wagon. The Outback offers a more rugged exterior design, a higher ground clearance, and a more comprehensive suite of safety features, making it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and those who frequently encounter challenging road conditions.

The Legacy Wagon, on the other hand, offers a more refined driving experience, a more powerful engine option, and a lower price point, making it a great choice for those who prioritize comfort, performance, and value.

Ultimately, the decision between the Subaru Outback and Legacy Wagon depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. Consider factors such as your driving style, the type of terrain you frequently encounter, and the features that are most important to you. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose the wagon that best suits your lifestyle and driving needs.

Common Questions and Answers

1. Q: Which vehicle has a more spacious cargo area, the Subaru Outback or Legacy Wagon?

A: The Subaru Outback offers slightly more cargo space than the Legacy Wagon. The Outback has 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, while the Legacy Wagon has 30.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

2. Q: Which vehicle offers a more powerful engine option?

A: The Legacy Wagon offers a more powerful engine option, a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine that generates 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. The Outback’s most powerful engine option is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.

3. Q: Which vehicle has a higher ground clearance?

A: The Subaru Outback has a higher ground clearance than the Legacy Wagon. The Outback has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, while the Legacy Wagon has a ground clearance of 5.9 inches.