All sedans in the Legacy series employ a symmetrical AWD system, but the device differs by type of transmission. With a standard manual five-speed shifter, the AWD system has a viscous-coupling locking center differential (VC/LCD) designed to distribute the engine's power evenly between front and rear wheels. Slippage of either front or back wheels may prompt the device to redirect some of the power to the wheels not slipping, and it's possible to send all of the torque to the front or rear, depending on the circumstance.

Trims and powertrains are different too with a total of four sedan variations in the series. Subaru segments Legacy by two powertrains, then arranges two trims variation with each engine.

The trims are labeled as Legacy 2.5i and Legacy 2.5i Limited, each packing the base engine, and Legacy 2.5 GT plus Legacy 2.5 GT Limited, each with the turbo engine.

Legacy's entry-level engine is a single-cam 2.5-liter Subaru block with four cylinders opposed horizontally and set perpendicular to the drive line, then linked with equal-length drive shafts so pairs of cylinders act like boxers jabbing at one another in counterbalanced movements that negate the typical four-pack's vibrations. This produces 168 hp at 5600 rpm with torque reaching to 166 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. The engine ties to a five-speed manual transmission, although an automatic four-speed transaxle is available.

For more power, Subaru borrows from its sporty WRX STi rally-style performance car a turbo-charged and inter-cooled boxer four to create two souped-up Legacy models, the 2.5 GT and 2.5 GT Limited. Each with a functional air scoop on the hood.The WRX plant, with twin cams and 2.5-liter displacement, comes with STi's active valve control system (AVCS) variable valve timing to optimize engine efficiency. Output climbs to 250 hp at 5600 rpm and the torque zips up to 250 lb-ft at 3600 rpm.

All of that energy channels through a heavy-duty manual five-speed or optional five-speed automatic with Subaru's SportShift mode for quick shift controls via the console stick or buttons on the steering wheel. With the five-speed automatic, variable torque distribution (VTD) applies to the AWD system, which gains a planetary center differential to split the engine's torque by default to 45 percent up front and 55 percent in back. However, a continuously variable hydraulic clutch (CVHC) works with wheel sensors and electronic controls to change the torque split as needed.

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