2020 Subaru Legacy Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

No matter how many SUVs are out there, some people are always going to prefer a sedan. They generally get better gas mileage, are easier to maneuver, and are typically large enough for the average family. Although there are not as many options in this segment as there used to be, you still have a few strong contenders to choose from.

Subaru offers the Legacy as its contribution to the midsize sedan market. Like all Subarus, it comes with standard all-wheel-drive. There are also many standard and available safety features, meaning this car is appealing as both a commuter and a family vehicle.

The Legacy has remained popular thanks to its comfortable and spacious cabin. Rear passengers get 39.5 inches of legroom, which is a pretty impressive number for this kind of vehicle. The trunk is a roomy 15.1 cubic feet. Overall, there is ample room for five passengers and all of their daily gear.

This year, the Legacy starts a brand new generation. The outside styling is updated and more refined. There is even a new turbocharged engine that can be had on some of the higher trim levels. This, in combination with the infotainment options, will likely broaden its appeal. You also get a new top-of-the-line trim level in 2020.

You have six trims in total to consider when checking out the 2020 Subaru Legacy. The following is a detailed summary of the different features you will find on each. Ideally, this guide will help you determine which model is correct for you.

 

Compare the 2020 Subaru Legacy Base vs Premium Trims. What is the difference?

The entry-level Legacy is very well-equipped compared to other vehicles. It is powered a 2.5 four-cylinder engine that produces 182-horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. Subaru has paired this engine with a continuously variable transmission. It uses symmetrical all-wheel-drive to help give you superior traction. The Legacy comes with an 18.5-gallon tank, which Subaru claims allows it to go nearly 650 miles on the highway before needing to fill-up.

All versions of the Legacy have vehicle dynamics control. This is a system that can monitor your intended course in relation to where the car is actually going. It steps in to help correct the path, potentially helping to avoid a collision. All models also give you a traction control system as well as active torque vectoring. Rounding out the mechanical features are the four-wheel independent suspension and electric power-assisted steering.

Your base Legacy sits on 17" steel wheels. It has black folding side mirrors, a single exhaust outlet, and LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights. The headlights have an auto on/off feature that is linked to the windshield wipers. Moving inside of this trim, you find a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat. The rear seats have the 60/40 split-fold feature and the upholstery all around is cloth. There are a total of eight cup holders, which is a great feature for families.

There are many high-tech features for the Legacy. They include steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, two front seat USB ports, and a dual 7" infotainment system. This system runs Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth. This is the only trim to give you a four-speaker sound system.

Like almost all Subarus these days, you get the EyeSight driver assistance suite of features. This adds lane keep assist, pre-collision braking, lane departure with sway warning, and adaptive cruise control. Subaru's version of adaptive cruise control features a lane-centering function. Also standard for this trim are high beam assist and brake assist. There is a rearview camera as well as a tire pressure monitoring system.

There is only one package available for the entry-level Legacy. It is called the Alloy Wheel Package and adds 17" black aluminum-alloy wheels. Available accessories for this trim level include a cargo net, trunk cargo hook, and a Rockford Fosgate audio upgrade that gives you higher-quality speakers. You can also add what Subaru calls the Entertainment Anywhere package, which gives you two 32GB iPads, two pairs of Bluetooth headphones, and two OtterBox cases.

Going with the Premium trim level unlocks a few upgrades for the Legacy. It gives you the option of adding LED fog lights. The side view mirrors become body-color, heated, and include turn signal indicators. This trim level also adds a windshield wiper de-icing feature. The Premium is the first model to offer the power-sliding moonroof as an available option.

Inside the cabin, this trim gives you a more comfortable 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The front seats also gain heat and your shift knob and steering wheel gain leather. Keyless access and push-button start are available for this trim. Keeping cool becomes easier thanks to the dual-zone automatic climate control.

Your infotainment system gets an 11.6" screen. Navigation is not standard but is an available upgrade. You get two more speakers when going with the Premium trim level. Safety features are similar between these two trims, although you can add blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic and lane change assist to the Premium. With this, the Legacy can let you know if traffic is approaching from the side while you are backing up. This trim adds built-in Wi-Fi capability and is capable of supporting up to eight devices at a time, which can be a life-saver for families with older children.

With the Premium trim level and above you get access to the STARLINK® Safety and Security features. This gives you automatic collision notification as well as advanced roadside assistance. The system can help recover your vehicle in the event it is stolen. It also adds diagnostic and remote features to your Legacy. Through these features, you can start your vehicle and adjust your climate control using your compatible smartphone.

The only available accessory unlocked by moving to this trim level is a wireless charger. Interestingly, this feature never becomes standard and is merely available on all the remaining trims. Due to all of the standard upgrades, the Premium trim is definitely worth considering.

Compare the 2020 Subaru Legacy Premium vs Sport Trims.  What is the difference?

The Sport has the same engine as the previous two models. What it does gain, however, is what Subaru calls SI-DRIVE technology. This gives you selectable modes that can either emphasize performance or fuel economy. It also gets larger 18" black aluminum-alloy wheels. It gains the LED fog lights as a standard feature. Your side mirrors gain a crystal black finish and a rear trunk spoiler.

Moving into the cabin, you find unique sport cloth seats that feature red stitching. The keyless entry and push-button start become standard features, as does an auto-dimming rear view mirror. This trim adds reverse automatic braking as an available option. With this feature, the Legacy can stop itself if it detects an obstacle behind it while you are backing out of a parking space.

Unless your top priority is a sporty performance, you may not find this trim worth the price jump.

Compare the 2020 Subaru Legacy Sport vs Limited.  What is the difference?

The Limited trim adds quite a bit of luxury to the 2020 Legacy. It gives you LED steering responsive headlights. These lights track your vehicle's turn to help better illuminate the road ahead. You go back to having body-color side mirrors, rather than the black ones found on the Sport trim. This trim also loses the rear trunk spoiler.

Up front, the passenger's seat gains eight-way power adjustment. The driver's seat gains lumbar support and you get the memory ability for seat settings. Your rear seats become heated for the Limited trim. All of the seats gain leather upholstery. A heated steering wheel is available when going with this model.

The Limited model gives you an upgraded Harmon Kardon audio system. This system an amplifier as well as 12 well-placed speakers. Safety upgrades include standard reverse automatic braking and the blind spot monitoring features.

The DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System becomes an option for the Limited. This system uses facial recognition software to monitor your levels of fatigue and distraction. It can remember up to five faces, something convenient for families with multiple drivers. This system also adds even more convenience to your life by remembering the seat and mirror positions preferred by each of the drivers it learns.

Your Limited trim of the Legacy costs quite a bit more but has the luxury features that have become necessities for some.

Compare the 2020 Subaru Legacy Limited vs Limited XT Trims. What is the difference?

The "XT" in Limited XT is a reference to the engine that powers it. Coming standard on this model is a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder. It will produce 260-horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with the same continuously variable transmission. This engine does reduce your fuel efficiency a bit. With a full tank, Subaru estimates you can go nearly 600 miles on the highway before needing to stop. Still, this turbocharged engine gets better fuel economy than the straight-six engine it is replacing from last year.

Coming standard for this trim is the power-tilting moonroof. It has eye-catching dual stainless exhaust outlets. The heated steering wheel becomes standard on this trim level, as well as the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. Your infotainment system gains standard navigation.

There is a significant price jump between the Limited and Limited XT trim levels. After test driving both, however, some drivers may find it worth it for the more powerful engine.

Compare the 2020 Subaru Legacy Limited XT vs Touring XT Trims.  What is the difference?

Finally, you can choose the Touring XT model of the 2020 Legacy. This is a brand new trim option for this year. It has the same engine as the Limited XT. The trim uses satin chrome-finish power-folding side mirrors. There is also chrome on the door handles. It keeps the power-sliding moonroof as a standard feature.

Inside, it gains special Nappa leather on the seat trim. The front seats gain ventilation to go along with the heat feature. This is the only trim to give you a CD player, which is mounted into the console.

The only safety feature added by the Touring XT is the 180-degree front view mirror. This displays a wide view of your vehicle's surroundings on the large infotainment screen. It is designed to help eliminate blind spots when you are trying to park your Legacy.

 

Which Trim to Choose?

When it comes to the new Legacy, you really cannot go wrong no matter which trim level you choose. The entry-level trim has standard all-wheel-drive and a long list of safety features, making it a smart buy. Each trim level up seems to add a decent amount of upgrades.

Although the Touring XL is attractive due to its extra comfort features, it comes with many things that most people do not need. If you are interested in the turbocharged engine, the Limited XL is probably a better bet, unless you have your heart set on a CD player.

The Limited trim level is a good compromise with its leather, upgraded audio system, and additional safety features.