The fifth generation of the Subaru Legacy Tourer was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show. It brought several new technologies for the 20 years model.

Subaru introduced a facelift for its mid-size lineup, the Legacy, in 2006, and, along with the sedan, it improved the station wagon version as well.

Subaru introduced the fourth generation of the Legacy in 2003 and offered it in two body-shapes: a sedan and a station wagon, and both shared the same platform with the Tribeca SUV.

Subaru didn't want to waste too much time with facelifted versions and introduced the Legacy's third-generation after just six years from the second generation's launch.

Subaru tried to build a car that could compete against mid-sized station-wagons on the market with an all-wheel-drive vehicle that could do more than just taking kids to school and back.