1996 Subaru Legacy Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
15.9gal · 60 L
The 1996 Subaru Legacy has a fuel tank capacity of 15.9 gallons (60 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 382–477 highway miles or 286–334 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
15.9 gal · Smaller than 77% of 1996 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
1996 Subaru Legacy fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Drive
- no difference
- Engine
- no difference
All 12 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton 4dr Wagon AWD 2.2L 4cyl 5M · AWD MPG 19 / 26Range 302 / 413 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 19 / 26 | 302 / 413 mi | |
| GT 4dr Sedan AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD MPG 18 / 24Range 286 / 382 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 18 / 24 | 286 / 382 mi | |
| GT 4dr Wagon AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD MPG 18 / 24Range 286 / 382 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 18 / 24 | 286 / 382 mi | |
| L 4dr Sedan 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 21 / 30Range 334 / 477 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 21 / 30 | 334 / 477 mi | |
| L 4dr Sedan AWD 2.2L 4cyl 5M · AWD MPG 19 / 26Range 302 / 413 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 19 / 26 | 302 / 413 mi | |
| L 4dr Wagon 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 21 / 29Range 334 / 461 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 21 / 29 | 334 / 461 mi | |
| L 4dr Wagon AWD 2.2L 4cyl 5M · AWD MPG 19 / 26Range 302 / 413 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 19 / 26 | 302 / 413 mi | |
| LS 4dr Sedan AWD 2.2L 4cyl 4A · AWD MPG 19 / 26Range 302 / 413 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 19 / 26 | 302 / 413 mi | |
| LS 4dr Wagon AWD 2.2L 4cyl 4A · AWD MPG 19 / 26Range 302 / 413 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 19 / 26 | 302 / 413 mi | |
| LSi 4dr Sedan AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD MPG 18 / 24Range 286 / 382 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 18 / 24 | 286 / 382 mi | |
| LSi 4dr Wagon AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD MPG 18 / 24Range 286 / 382 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 18 / 24 | 286 / 382 mi | |
| Outback 4dr Wagon AWD 2.2L 4cyl 5M · AWD MPG 19 / 26Range 302 / 413 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | 19 / 26 | 302 / 413 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 1996 Subaru Legacy goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 22 MPG, a full 15.9-gallon tank covers about 350 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 15.9 | 413 | 302 |
| 3/4 | 11.9 | 310 | 227 |
| 1/2 | 8.0 | 207 | 151 |
| 1/4 | 4.0 | 103 | 76 |
| 1/8 | 2.0 | 52 | 38 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 682 gallons, roughly 43 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 23 MPG in the Legacy (26 drivers), about 366 miles on a full 15.9-gallon tank.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 20–25 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 355–444 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1996 Subaru Legacy
$67.89 to fill the 15.9-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.9 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $67.89 | $50.92 |
By region, 15.9-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $63.92 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $67.89 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $58.83 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $70.91 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $86.18 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $93.65 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 15.9-gallon tank$67.89
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,911
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Legacy tank size in other years
The 1996 Legacy uses the same 15.9 gal tank as every Legacy since 1992.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Legacy | 16.9 gal | 423 mi |
| 2000 Legacy | 16.9 gal | 423 mi |
| 1999 Legacy | 15.9 gal | 429 mi |
| 1998 Legacy | 15.9 gal | 429 mi |
| 1997 Legacy | 15.9 gal | 429 mi |
| 1996 Legacy | 15.9 gal | 477 mi |
| 1995 Legacy | 15.9 gal | 461 mi |
| 1994 Legacy | 15.9 gal | 445 mi |
| 1993 Legacy | 15.9 gal | 445 mi |
| 1992 Legacy | 15.9 gal | 429 mi |
| 1991 Legacy | 15.9–18.9 gal | 454 mi |
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1996 Subaru Legacy fuel system recalls
None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1996 Subaru Legacy involve the fuel system.
1996 Subaru Legacy fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1996 Subaru Legacy, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1996 Subaru Legacy?
The 1996 Subaru Legacy holds 15.9 gallons (60 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 1996 Subaru Legacy gas tank hold?
The 1996 Subaru Legacy tank holds 60 liters, or 15.9 gallons in US gallons.
Does AWD change the 1996 Subaru Legacy gas tank?
No. AWD and FWD versions of the 1996 Subaru Legacy use the same 15.9 gal tank.
How far can a 1996 Subaru Legacy go on a full tank?
About 382–477 miles on the highway and 286–334 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 1996 Subaru Legacy go on a quarter tank?
About 103 highway miles or 76 in town from the 15.9-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.0 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 1996 Subaru Legacy really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 23 MPG in the 1996 Subaru Legacy (26 drivers), which works out to about 366 miles on a full 15.9-gallon tank.
What gas does the 1996 Subaru Legacy take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1996 Subaru Legacy?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 15.9-gallon tank from empty costs $67.89. It ranges from $58.83 in the Gulf Coast to $93.65 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1996 Subaru Legacy?
About 99 pounds for the 15.9-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Has the 1996 Subaru Legacy had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1996 Subaru Legacy involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Subaru fuel system recalls).
- Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.