The 2013 Subaru Legacy sits in the modern all-wheel-drive midsize sedan space, balancing year-round drivability with a more composed road feel than many family sedans of its era. Buyers looking at this exact Legacy usually are not deciding between old-style bias-ply and radial construction, because its primary fitments are all modern radial sizes. Tire choice centers instead on identifying the correct sub-model and wheel diameter, since this Legacy uses 205/60R16, 215/50R17, or 225/50R17 depending on configuration. Available options range from a wide whitewall American Classic in 16-inch fitment to blackwall performance-oriented 17-inch tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto. The right selection comes down to preserving intended appearance, matching the wheel setup, and choosing the road manners that suit how the car is used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2013 Subaru Legacy
The 2013 Subaru Legacy uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and whether the car has 16-inch or 17-inch wheels. All three fitments are radial, so the first step is confirming the specific Legacy trim and wheel diameter before comparing tire style, tread character, and brand options within the proper size.
A 205/60R16 tire uses a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 2013 Subaru Legacy, this size belongs to a modern radial fitment and suits the 16-inch wheel setup rather than the 17-inch configurations used elsewhere in the model range. Available choices in this size include an American Classic Radial with an asymmetrical tread and a wide whitewall presentation, which gives this otherwise modern sedan a distinctive visual direction. It is the right size to evaluate when the car has the 16-inch wheel package and the goal is to stay with the proper dimensions while choosing a specific look.
A 215/50R17 tire is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. For the 2013 Subaru Legacy, this size is tied to certain 17-inch sub-models, so it should not be treated as a universal fitment across the full Legacy lineup. In this size, the main choices come from BFGoodrich, with blackwall tires offered across the g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. This size makes sense when the car already has the correct 17-inch wheels and the buyer wants to compare modern performance-oriented radial options within the intended fitment.
A 225/50R17 tire keeps the same 17-inch rim diameter as other Legacy sport-oriented fitments but uses a wider 225-millimeter nominal section width and a 50-series profile. On the 2013 Subaru Legacy, this radial size belongs to the 3.6R side of the lineup, making exact sub-model confirmation important before selection. Product choices include blackwall tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto, with series such as g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and NT555 G2 giving the buyer more than one character of modern radial tire to compare. It is the size to focus on when the car carries the proper 17-inch wheels and needs the broader fitment used on those V6-configured models.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2013 Subaru Legacy because tire size changes across the range instead of staying the same from one trim to the next. Identifying the exact Legacy sub-model and confirming whether the car has 16-inch or 17-inch wheels keeps the tire search focused on the proper fitment.
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2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i
The 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i uses the 205/60R16 radial size, making it the 16-inch-wheel fitment within this Legacy lineup. Tire selection here is less about multiple primary sizes and more about choosing the right presentation and driving character within that metric radial size.
The 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited uses a 215/50R17 radial tire, placing it in the 17-inch fitment group rather than the base 16-inch setup. That means tire choice centers on selecting among the available blackwall performance-oriented radials built around this size.
The 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium also uses the 215/50R17 radial size, so its fitment follows the same 17-inch pattern as the Limited trim. Buyers can focus on comparing tire series and brand-specific character within the correct size instead of sorting through multiple wheel diameters.
The 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R uses the 225/50R17 radial size, which is distinct from both the 16-inch 2.5i fitment and the narrower 215/50R17 setup. Tire selection should start with that wider 17-inch size and then move into comparing available blackwall radial options.
The 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited shares the 225/50R17 radial fitment used on the 3.6R. The practical decision is choosing among the available 17-inch radial tire series while confirming the car still retains the wheel setup associated with this sub-model.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2013 Subaru Legacy Tires for Sale
Available 2013 Subaru Legacy tires span very different buying paths: a 205/60R16 American Classic Radial with wide whitewall styling, plus blackwall 17-inch performance-oriented radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto in 215/50R17 and 225/50R17 across several tire series.
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Radial Tires
American Classic Radial | 1.50 Inch Whitewall | 205/60R16
2013 Subaru Legacy tire questions usually come down to trim-specific size, 16-inch versus 17-inch wheel fitment, and how to choose among the available radial, sidewall, and performance-oriented product options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2013 Subaru Legacy?
The 2013 Subaru Legacy uses three tire sizes: 205/60R16, 215/50R17, and 225/50R17. The 2.5i uses 205/60R16, the 2.5i Limited and 2.5i Premium use 215/50R17, and the 3.6R and 3.6R Limited use 225/50R17.
That means the right tire starts with the exact sub-model, not just the model name. It is also important to confirm whether the car still has its original 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, because a Legacy that has had wheel changes or trim swaps may no longer match the fitment associated with its badge alone.
What size rim does a 2013 Subaru Legacy use?
A 2013 Subaru Legacy uses either a 16-inch or 17-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 205/60R16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim, while both 215/50R17 and 225/50R17 use a 17-inch rim.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before selecting a tire, especially on used vehicles. Looking only at the trim name can lead to mistakes if the car has aftermarket wheels or a wheel package taken from another Legacy. Matching the tire's rim diameter to the actual wheel on the car is the first non-negotiable step in fitment.
Do all 2013 Subaru Legacy sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 2013 Subaru Legacy changes tire size across the lineup. The 2.5i uses 205/60R16, the 2.5i Limited and 2.5i Premium use 215/50R17, and the 3.6R models use 225/50R17.
That variation affects more than just the numbers on the sidewall. It also changes wheel diameter and the range of tire choices available, from a wide whitewall option in 205/60R16 to blackwall performance-oriented radials in the 17-inch sizes. Identifying the exact sub-model keeps the search centered on the proper tire category.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2013 Subaru Legacy?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact 2013 Subaru Legacy sub-model: 205/60R16, 215/50R17, or 225/50R17. From there, compare construction, tread character, sidewall style, brand, and wheel compatibility within that size rather than trying to choose across sizes that belong to different Legacy configurations.
A 205/60R16 buyer may be focused on appearance because that size includes a wide whitewall American Classic Radial, while 215/50R17 and 225/50R17 buyers will be comparing blackwall performance-oriented radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto. It also helps to review rim-width compatibility and load figures where they are listed for the tires under consideration.
What sidewall styles are available for 2013 Subaru Legacy tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size chosen for the 2013 Subaru Legacy. The 205/60R16 fitment includes a wide whitewall option, while the available 215/50R17 and 225/50R17 tires are blackwall designs.
That creates a very different visual result even though all of these are radial tires. A buyer selecting 17-inch Legacy tires is choosing among blackwall performance-style presentations, while the 16-inch fitment offers a more custom or retro-inspired look. The sidewall decision should follow the correct size first, then the appearance the owner wants the car to carry.
What brands offer tires for the 2013 Subaru Legacy?
The available 2013 Subaru Legacy tire brands include American Classic, BFGoodrich, and Nitto. American Classic appears in 205/60R16, BFGoodrich appears in both 215/50R17 and 225/50R17, and Nitto appears in 225/50R17.
Brand choice should be considered alongside size and tire series, not in isolation. BFGoodrich offers several g-Force family options in the 17-inch sizes, while the 16-inch American Classic option speaks more to appearance with its wide whitewall design. Once the correct size is confirmed, comparing series details and wheel compatibility becomes more useful than comparing brand names alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2013 Subaru Legacy?
A period-style approach for a 2013 Subaru Legacy still begins with the correct trim-specific size. The most appearance-driven option among the available choices is the 205/60R16 American Classic Radial with a 1.50-inch whitewall, while the 17-inch Legacy sizes are represented by blackwall performance-oriented radials.
That makes the visual decision fairly clear once the proper wheel diameter is confirmed. A Legacy wearing its original 16-inch fitment can take on a more distinctive custom presentation, while the 17-inch cars stay closer to a contemporary blackwall look. Exact originality questions are best checked against Subaru-specific reference material if that level of detail matters.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2013 Subaru Legacy?
On the 2013 Subaru Legacy, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are all radial. The visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial choice and more from size-specific styling details such as blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation.
That means a restoration-minded owner should focus on keeping the proper dimensions and wheel diameter first, then choosing the sidewall style that best suits the intended look. A 205/60R16 Legacy can be styled very differently from a 17-inch Legacy simply because the available product assortment changes, even though all of them remain modern radial tires.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2013 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. A 2013 Subaru Legacy can be affected by aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body modifications just like any other modern sedan. Those changes can alter which tire sizes clear properly even when the car originally used 205/60R16, 215/50R17, or 225/50R17.
The safest approach is to verify the actual wheel diameter and width on the car before choosing a replacement tire. Clearance at the strut, fender, and steering range should also be checked, especially if the Legacy no longer sits at stock height. Trim-based fitment is useful, but the current setup always matters more than the badge alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 2013 Subaru Legacy on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, confirm the tire size matches the car's actual wheel diameter, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire and vehicle. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to work around worn hardware.
A short check of tread seating, visible sidewall condition, and any signs of rubbing after installation can prevent avoidable problems. On a used Legacy, especially one with replacement wheels, turning the steering from lock to lock and checking clearance under load can reveal fitment issues that are not obvious while the car is standing still.
How often should tires on a 2013 Subaru Legacy be inspected?
Tires on a 2013 Subaru Legacy should be inspected regularly, not only when tread looks low. Monthly pressure checks, quick visual inspections for cuts, bulges, cracking, or uneven wear, and a closer review before longer drives are all sensible habits for a car that may see changing weather and varied road use.
Inspection matters even more if the Legacy is driven infrequently, because age and air loss can go unnoticed on low-mileage vehicles. Looking over all four tires for matching size, consistent wear, and any signs of clearance trouble helps catch problems early. Any vibration, pulling, or unusual wear pattern deserves attention before more miles are added.
