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2017 Subaru Legacy: A Trim Comparison

For awhile now, Subaru has been providing environmentally-conscious wilderness-types with transportation to and from the Great Outdoors. It's a 4WD sedan, which isn't an incredibly common thing. That makes its affordability even more exciting. But which of its five trim levels represents the best deal? That all depends on what you want out of your car.

2.5i

The 2.5i is the base model for the 2017 Subaru Legacy and has a starting MSRP of $21,995. It’s equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. What’s unique about the Subaru Legacy is the fact that all trims are all-wheel drive, which can be tough to find in a sedan.

The biggest thing drivers may notice about the 2.5i is that it lacks a lot of the flair that the Sport and Limited include. On the exterior, the 2.5i has projector-beam halogen headlights with black folding mirrors. The interior has a six-way manual adjustable driver seat, flat-folding rear seatbacks, and cloth seating.

The entertainment system is average compared to other sedans and includes a 6.2-inch multimedia STARLINK system and four speakers. The Legacy also includes a rearview camera standard with the 2.5i trim.

2.5i Premium

The next trim is the 2.5i Premium, with a starting MSRP of $23,995. It comes with everything the base model has and more. Interior upgrades include a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual USB ports, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Premium also adds dual-zone climate control for a more comfortable cabin.

Other changes include a seven-inch STARLINK multimedia plus display and six speakers for a clearer sound. Safety features improve somewhat, at least for the first year. If you buy new or Certified Pre-Owned, you get a one-year subscription to STARLINK Safety Plus. This includes automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, and more.You can get a paid subscription for future years.

2.5i Sport

The 2.5i Sport gets some drastic upgrades to the exterior that may be worth the $25,995 asking price. The Sport is equipped with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, fog lights, satin silver-finish folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a power tilt/sliding moonroof. The 2.5i Sport also has some unique cosmetic upgrades, like rocker spoilers with chrome trim and a sport grille.

The inside also has some new toys, like keyless access with push-button start. It also has an auto dimming rearview compass mirror that includes HomeLink, which allows you to access your home from your vehicle.

2.5i Limited

The 2.5i Limited is where the Subaru Legacy becomes a luxury vehicle with a starting MSRP of $28,840. Rather than cloth, the seating is leather-trimmed to match the leather steering wheel. Front passengers will also enjoy the 10-way power driver seat, and everyone can love the matte woodgrain-patterned accent trim.

You also get heated exterior mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, and heated seats in the front and back. Subaru is popular in Vermont for a reason.

As if that wasn’t enough, the interior also gets 12 Harman Kardon speakers and a 576-watt equivalent Harman Kardon amplifier. Safety upgrades include blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alerts.

3.6R Limited

The biggest appeal of the 3.6R Limited is the larger engine. Rather than the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, it’s equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 DOHC engine. It provides 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, which is much higher than the 175 hp and 174 lb-ft torque of the original motor. This does decrease the fuel economy to 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The headlights also change to HID projector headlights that allow drivers to see farther. The 3.6R Limited also comes with dual chrome exhaust outlets and all the key features of the 2.5i Limited.

(All facts and figures from Subaru. Image via Facebook.)

Last Updated: December 12, 2018