1997 Subaru Legacy towing capacity
The 1997 Subaru Legacy is published in 9 configurations with a tow rating of 2,000 lb (light utility / small-trailer territory).
The table below lists every trim of the 1997 Subaru Legacy with the engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, horsepower, torque, GVWR, curb weight, and payload that go with that trim's headline tow rating. Manufacturers often publish more than one tow figure per truck — a conventional bumper-hitch rating, a weight-distributing rating, and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rating — so the highest number here is the maximum across all hitch classes the source carries for the trim.
Per-trim breakdown
| Configuration | Engine | HP | Torque | Axle | Tow (lb) | GVWR | Curb | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L Sedan 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.2 Liter | 137 | 145 | — | 2,000 | — | 2,885 | — |
| GT Sedan 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 165 | 162 | — | 2,000 | — | 3,090 | — |
| LSi Sedan 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 165 | 162 | — | 2,000 | — | 3,130 | — |
| L Wagon 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.2 Liter | 137 | 145 | — | 2,000 | — | 2,975 | — |
| Outback Limited Wagon 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 165 | 162 | — | 2,000 | — | 3,170 | — |
| Brighton Wagon 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.2 Liter | 137 | 145 | — | 2,000 | — | 2,905 | — |
| Outback Wagon 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 165 | 162 | — | 2,000 | — | 3,155 | — |
| GT Wagon 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 165 | 162 | — | 2,000 | — | 3,180 | — |
| LSi Wagon 4D | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 165 | 162 | — | 2,000 | — | 3,210 | — |
How to interpret the headline tow figure
Tow ratings at this level are normally achievable with a conventional Class II or Class III receiver hitch. Always verify your vehicle has the manufacturer's tow package installed if you intend to tow at the upper end of the rating, and inspect the door-jamb sticker for the actual maximum permitted on your specific configuration.
How this year compares to 1996
The 1996 Subaru Legacy carried a maximum tow rating of 2,000 lb. The 1997 model carries the same headline figure — manufacturers usually leave the rating alone year-over-year unless there's a powertrain or hitch change. See the 1996 Subaru Legacy page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.
Other 1997 Subaru models
The rest of Subaru's 1997 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.
| Model | Max tow (lb) |
|---|---|
| 1997 Subaru All | 2,000 |
| 1997 Subaru Impreza | 1,500 |
All figures sourced from manufacturer documentation. See our methodology for how the dataset is compiled. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing.