Subaru · 1989–1994

Subaru Legacy (first generation)

The first generation Subaru Legacy is a mid-size family car / wagon developed by Fuji Heavy Industries. The Legacy was an all new model, and was considered a notable departure from Subaru products in the past.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Subaru Legacy (second generation)

All Subaru Legacy data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

History

The worldwide introduction of the Legacy sedan and wagon was achieved in 1989. Subaru had earned a reputation of building vehicles that were regarded as "quirky" while other Asian manufacturers were bringing more upscale and conventional appearing models to the market. The Legacy was different and became a solid production that changed Subaru's reputation. The Legacy appeared at the same time as the US introduction of Lexus and Infiniti and five years after Acura, and it was interpreted by some as Subaru's attempt at participating in the emerging imported luxury car market. However, Subaru did not have a V6 or V8 engine. The Legacy was more automotive aerodynamic than previously built products, with soft edges and a more coherent appearance. The sedan has a break in the beltline where it drops down from the windshield to the front door glass, and then juts up from the rear door glass to the rear window, and the beltline is interrupted as it transitions down to the rear window on the wagon. The beltline treatment was used again on the SVX when it was introduced in 1992. The Legacy broke with many Subaru traditions, such as no longer locating the spare tire in the engine compartment, behind the engine and above the transmission, a tradition started with the 1966 Subaru 1000, a method also used in the Citroën GS. The Legacy was also the second Subaru to use wheels with five lug nuts instead of four to better cope with the increased horsepower and torque from the powertrain. The Legacy was an all-new model, and was slotted at the top in Subaru's model range, joining the Leone, the Subaru XT coupé, Subaru Justy sub-compact, and the Subaru Rex and Subaru Sambar kei cars in Japan. The Subaru star badge used since the introduction of the 360 was modified, with a more conventio

Japanese models

When the Legacy was first introduced February 1, 1989 in Japan, the Legacy came in the following trim levels: the 220 PS (162 kW) DOHC 2.0-liter turbocharged "RS" with a 5-speed manual transmission only, followed by the "VZ" sedan and wagon and the "TZ" sedan and wagon with the 150 PS (110 kW) DOHC 2.0-liter engine. A smaller 102 PS (75 kW) SOHC 1.8-liter engine was used for the "Vi" sedan and wagon with FWD only, "Ti" sedan and wagon, the "Mi" and the entry level "Ei" sedans and wagons. The fuel efficiency for the 2.0-liter engine (non-turbo, manual transmission 4WD) is 10.8 km/L (31 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US) based on Japanese Government emissions tests using 10 different modes of scenario standards, and 18 km/L (51 mpg‑imp; 42 mpg‑US) at speeds consistently maintained at 60 km/h (37.3 mph), based on figures listed in the Japanese sales brochure. All wagons available to the Japanese were the extended roof version, referred to as the "Touring Wagon", and the air suspension, called "EP-S" (electronic pneumatic-suspension), was only available on the AWD equipped VZ wagon with an automatic transmission. In 1990, the 200 PS (147 kW) DOHC 2.0-liter turbocharged Legacy "GT" sedan/extended roof wagon was introduced, with a 4-speed computer-controlled automatic transmission only on the GT sedan and a choice of automatic or manual transmission on the wagon, as well as the slightly more affordable "RS type R" turbocharged sedan. The GT sedan/wagon, the RS, and RS type R came with 15-inch alloy wheels and 205/60R15 tires, dual piston brake calipers front and single piston rear, and a sport-tuned suspension over the standard wheel size of 14-inch steel wheels for the other models offered. Plastic wheel covers were not offered on the entry level "Ei" sedan or wagon, and the 13-inch wheel

International models

The European, British and Australian versions were offered with three trim levels; the upscale GX, the more affordable LX in Australia called the GL in Europe and the UK, and the very basic DL in parts of Europe, with AWD offered as an option on the GX, LX and GL. In Europe and the UK, the GL and DL came with the 1.8-liter engine and the GX came with the larger 2.2-liter engine. For the 1990 model year, the British-spec. 1.8 GL was equipped with a carburetor and rear drum brakes but were later upgraded to single point fuel injection for the 1991 model year. The DL wasn't available in the UK or Australia. The British were also given a choice of vehicles equipped with a catalytic converter that restricted fuel usage to unleaded fuel only. The Australians could choose between the SOHC 2.2-liter no turbo on the GX and LX or the DOHC 2.0-liter with a turbo on the RS. In 1992, the Australia market offered the Liberty RS turbo as a sedan or extended roof wagon with a manual transmission only. When the Japanese-spec turbo was offered in Europe and Australia, the black leather covered MOMO steering wheel was also offered. The steering wheel was affixed with six allen head screws to an adapter hub that incorporated the cruise control activation switch, if cruise control was installed. This arrangement allowed the exchange of other aftermarket steering wheels using a six screw installation pattern to suit personal tastes. The black leather steering wheel accompanied matching black leather on the gearshift, center armrest cover, and parking brake handle. The main difference from the Japanese market MOMO steering wheel and the European and Australian version was the Japanese version was four spoke. The European, British and Australian versions came with two interior color choices of

Specifications

=== Chassis types === The first generation Legacy model codes are decoded with the first letter "B" representing the Legacy model. The second letters are C (sedan), J (flat roof wagon), and F (high roof wagon). The third character represents the engine and drivetrain: 2 (1.8-liter 2WD), 3 (1.8-liter 4WD), 4 (2.0-liter 2WD), 5 (2.0-liter 4WD), 6 (2.2-liter 2WD), 7 (2.2-liter 4WD), A (2.0-liter 4WD with air suspension), and B (2.2-liter 4WD with air suspension). Transmissions. The newly developed computer-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission, called the 4EAT in both FWD and AWD guises, uses a lock up torque converter, and does not use an overdrive feature. The transmission had a feature where it could be instructed to ignore 1st gear from a standing stop to assist driving on traction limited situations, such as ice and snow. The system was activated by depressing a button on the gearshift selector marked "Manual" and moving the gearshift from the "D" position down to "3rd". A yellow indicator light marked "Manual" also lights up at the bottom center of the instrument cluster when the system is ready to be used. The car would then start in 2nd gear, and not 1st, then as the car gained speed would shift up to 3rd, locking out 4th gear. The transmission's computer also splits the delivered torque 50:50 between the front and rear wheels. Once the car stopped, the transmission would start back in 2nd and not 1st, until the system was disengaged with the "Manual" button or upshifting to 4th. The automatic transmission also has engine over-rev protection by shifting the transmission to the next available gear once 6500 rpm has been achieved, even if the gear selector is in a low gear position. The computer that monitors and controls automatic transmission operations and sta

1992 facelift and other changes

A minor facelift to the front end came in 1991 for the 1992 model year, revising the grille, front fenders, hood and headlamps to provide a similar appearance with the introduction of the Subaru SVX luxury GT coupe, along with interior and exterior color changes. For MY 1994, the US-spec wagons were available with minor trim packages, called the Alpine Sport and Sun Sport, which were basically "L" trim level wagons with optional equipment, such as heated front seats, added as a "Value Option Group" and also came with graphics denoting the package on the exterior of the vehicle. The US-spec LSi wagon was available with tan leather interior, with matching leather on the steering wheel, gearshift selector, center armrest, interior door panels, and parking brake handle. The red plastic rear trim piece, on both the sedan and wagon, continues but the word "Subaru" is exchanged for the word "Legacy". Also, the Subaru star logo is no longer used on the back of the sedan or wagon. Japanese models saw the introduction of the GT type S2 sedan, which added BBS alloy wheels and rear trunk spoiler as standard equipment, the VZ type R, and the Brighton 220, which had much of the luxury equipment from the VZ trim level and the 2.2 SOHC engine installed in only the Touring Wagon. The Japanese-spec TZ was replaced by the Brighton trim name. In August 1992, the "Legacy Touring Wagon STi" was released and limited to 200 units. A Nardi three spoke black leather steering wheel was installed with the "STi" logo on the center horn button. The only major upgrade mentioned was upgrading the fuel injection ECU, and increasing the turbocharger pressure from the standard 450 mmHg to 650 mmHg, which was being used on the "RS" sedan and the same engine torque output, with an automatic transmission o

Motorsports

Just before the introduction of the Legacy to the United States, three Japanese-spec Legacy RS turbo sedans were sent to the FIA test track in Phoenix, Arizona, where they were driven at an average speed of 223.4 km/h (138.8 mph) for almost 19 days, accumulating 100,000 kilometres (62,000 mi) in that time, setting a new world record for land speed endurance, stopping only for fuel and routine service.[2] On another occasion, two AWD Legacy wagons finished 1st and 2nd place in the 1990 Alcan Winter Rally that covered 6,300 miles (10,100 km) from Seattle, Washington to the Arctic Circle and back and another wagon won the race again in 1992. The Safari Rally event in 1990 saw two Subaru Legacys finish the rally, with one car driven by Patrik Njiru winning in the Group N category. During the 1990 Safari Rally, 58 vehicles entered but only 10 cars crossed the finish line. Group N is a designation noting that the car is nearly identical to showroom models. The only modifications made are those required to meet safety regulations for the event. Another Group N Legacy finished the 1990 Acropolis Rally driven by Ian Duncan taking top honors and finishing the race in eighth place. WRC victories.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Legacy BC-BJ-BF Series

Manufacturer

Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries)

aka

Isuzu Aska CX, Subaru Liberty (Australia)

Production

1989–1994

Designer

Kiyoshi Sugimoto (1987)

Class

Mid-size car

Body style

4-door pillar hardtop sedan , 5-door station wagon

Related

Group A Subaru Legacy RS

Layout

FF layout standard , F4 layout optional

Engine

1.6 L EJ16 H4, 1.8 L EJ18 H4, 2.0 L EJ20E H4, 2.0 L EJ20D DOHC H4, 2.0 L EJ20G DOHC turbo H4, 2.2 L EJ22/E H4, 2.2 L EJ22T turbo H4

Transmission

4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual, 5-speed manual with dual range

Wheelbase

101.6 in

Length

1993–94 Sedan: 178.9 in, 1993–94 Wagon: 181.9 in, 1990–92 Wagon: 181.1 in, 1990–92 Sedan: 177.6 in

Width

66.5 in

Height

1993–94 Wagon: 54.7 in, 1993–94 LS & LSi Wagon: 56.3 in, 1990–92 Wagon: 55.9 in, 1990–92 AWD Wagon: 56.7 in, 1990–92 Sedan: 54.3 in, 1990–93 AWD Sedan: 55.1 in, 1993–94 Sedan: 53.5 in

Kerb weight

3220 lb max

Successor

Subaru Legacy (second generation), Subaru Impreza WRX STI (RS models)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7630813CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Legacy_(first_generation)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1370195407 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1st_Subaru_Legacy_sedan_--_03-21-2012.JPGPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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