1996 Subaru Legacy: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

21 builds left the factory as a 1996 Legacy, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 7 main configurations
  • 1,174 vehicles built
  • 6 for sale right now

Which Legacy is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your Legacy

What actually differs

Outback · AWD 4S3BG685-T L · AWD 4S3BK435-T Outback · AWD 4S3BG485-T L · AWD 4S3BD435-T
Engine 2.5L 2.2L 2.2L 2.2L
Body Wagon Wagon Wagon Sedan
For sale right now 1 4 1 —
Vehicles built 380 295 191 90
Same on every 1996 Legacy
  • Drivetrain All-wheel drive
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Doors 4-door
Will it hold value?

A Legacy typically keeps about 75% of its price over 5 years — a 5-year-old one runs about $1,500 today.

Legacy depreciation by year →
Cost to run

21/29 mpg city/highway. Roughly $1,940/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 1996 Legacy

Safety, in plain English

What 4S3BK635-T means

4S3 BK635 · T
4S3
the World Manufacturer Identifier Subaru registered — assembled in the United States
BK635
together encode the Legacy line — Wagon, 2.5L, All-wheel drive — as Subaru filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
T
in position 10 — model year 1996
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
14 rare configurations — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific Legacy?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.