Subaru Legacy trim comparison
2025 Subaru Legacy Limited vs Sport
The Legacy Limited starts at $35,920 while the Sport is $36,410. That $490 gap buys 7 meaningful differences.
This trim jump changes the engine from 2.5L flat 4 to 2.4L flat 4 Turbo. Everything else is secondary to whether that powertrain difference matters for how you drive.
If you would notice the 2.4L flat 4 Turbo every week, the Sport makes sense. If not, the Limited is the cleaner stop because this jump matters for the powertrain first and the trim badge second.
Think about this as a monthly tradeoff, not just a sticker gap. The Sport adds about $8/month on a typical 60-month loan, or around $480 more overall with interest. If that different powertrain is not part of your real use case, the cheaper trim keeps more money in your pocket without changing the core experience you need.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you are specifically shopping for the stronger powertrain, not just more trim content.
When both feel the same
The Limited and Sport are mechanically identical where it counts: the same continuously variable-speed automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $490 for 6 measurable differences, which works out to about $82 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 7 specification differences, 1 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | Limited | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $35,920 | $36,410 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.5L flat 4 | 2.4L flat 4 Turbo |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | 260 hp |
| Torque | 176 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 27 | 23 |
| Highway MPG | 35 | 31 |
| Combined MPG | 30 | 26 |
| Fuel Tank | 18.5 gal | 18.5 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $1,450/yr | $1,700/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,585 lbs | 3,764 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 108.3" | 108.3" |
| Length | 191.1" | 191.1" |
| Width | 72.4" | 72.4" |
| Height | 59.1" | 59.1" |
| Safety | ||
| NHTSA Overall | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
| Powertrain | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Corrosion | 5yr/unlimited | 5yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2025 Subaru Legacy Limited vs Sport Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Subaru Legacy lineup, the Subaru brand hub, the Midsize Sedans, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2025 Legacy Sport cost than the Limited?
The Sport starts at $36,410 compared to $35,920 for the Limited. That is a $490 difference, or approximately $8/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2025 Subaru Legacy Limited and Sport have the same engine?
No. The Limited uses a 2.5L flat 4 (182 hp, 176 lb-ft), while the Sport has the 2.4L flat 4 Turbo (260 hp, 277 lb-ft). That is 78 more horsepower. Both pair with the same continuously variable-speed automatic.
Do the 2025 Legacy Limited and Sport have the same drivetrain?
Yes. Both come with AWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.
Is the 2025 Legacy Limited or Sport safer?
Both share the same Subaru Legacy platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.
What warranty does the 2025 Subaru Legacy come with?
All 2025 Subaru Legacy trims, including both the Limited and Sport, come with Subaru's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Is the 2025 Subaru Legacy Sport worth $490 more than the Limited?
The $490 buys the 2.4L flat 4 Turbo. If that powertrain matters for how you drive, yes. If not, the Limited does the same job for less.
Which 2025 Subaru Legacy trim gets better fuel economy, the Limited or the Sport?
The Limited is the more efficient of the two at 30 combined MPG, versus 26 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
Breaking Down the $490 Gap
The Sport earns its premium. For $490 more, you get the 2.4L flat 4 Turbo engine (+78 hp), making this one of the more straightforward upgrade decisions in the Legacy lineup.
How the Limited and Sport Feel Different
Moving from the Limited to the Sport means a different engine entirely. That means 78 more horsepower and 101 more lb-ft of torque. You will notice it most when merging, passing, or climbing at speed. In return, expect about 4 fewer combined MPG.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The Legacy Limited gets 4 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $215 per year or $1,075 over five years of ownership.
The Short Version
The Legacy Sport costs $490 more than the Limited (about $8/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 6 meaningful changes at $82 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Subaru Legacy Limited
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the Limited best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Subaru Legacy Sport
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the Sport when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2025 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Subaru or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.