The Subaru Legacy will get some helpful upgrades for 2023, together with a Sport trim that’s greater than only a badge and wheels. Should you’re considering of shopping for an Outback, learn this primary.
It’s simple to disregard the Subaru Legacy. Consumers definitely are, with the mannequin promoting only a tenth of what the Outback manages annually, and fading shortly.
However Subaru hasn’t ignored it. As a substitute, the corporate is standing by its sedan, giving it the identical updates the Outback received for 2023, together with a facelift that’s a lot much less awkward. The adjustments add to the attraction of the Legacy and may make it a a lot smarter purchase than the Subaru Outback wagon.
For 2023, Subaru has enhanced the Legacy with that facelift. The automaker has additionally up to date the motive force help suite, giving the Eyesight system new cameras for improved operation and eliminating among the incessant beeps of final 12 months.
Legacy now will get wi-fi Android Auto in addition to Apple CarPlay, for those who decide the 11.6-inch show. Each methods benefit from all of that display screen actual property.
Briefly: The 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport is a quasi-WRX for consumers who want one thing a bit greater and a bit extra grown-up. The Legacy is a cushty and quiet experience for anybody taking a look at an Outback, however who doesn’t want the additional area or the additional value.
2023 Subaru Legacy Sport Assessment: This Automobile Means Enterprise
The Legacy Sport has some severe shades of the outdated Legacy 2.5GT spec.B — from again when Subaru leaned extra closely into sports activities sedans than it does at this time. Final 12 months, “Sport” meant nothing greater than 18-inch alloys, fog lights, and a few pink inside trim. For 2023, it means a turbocharged engine and stiffer suspension.
My week within the Legacy was with a GT trim. That’s a Canadian-specific trim that blends the US-spec Sport with the leather-based seats of the Touring. Like Vermont maple syrup in opposition to the stuff from Quebec, it’s the identical factor with a special label.
Sport Will get 2.4L Turbo-4
The 2023 Legacy Sport will get Subaru’s 2.4L turbocharged flat-four. Sure, that is the Subaru Ascent engine, however it is usually the identical energy plant you’ll discover within the newest WRX. There’s the primary signal of these shades of spec.B.
Within the Legacy Sport, the engine makes 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. That’s 11 fewer ponies than the WRX, however 19 extra torque, which you’ll discover extra in each day driving.
Plus, the Legacy runs on common fuel — WRX wants premium — which is an enormous deal in opposition to growing gas prices.
Sport Sharp Mode Turns Slushbox Into Pace
The newest model of the Legacy may not get the six-speed guide provided by the spec.B, however it does get Subaru’s S# drive mode for its CVT. This mode is borrowed from the newest WRX. Whereas it’s not fairly as sharp as it’s in that automobile, it’s a huge enchancment over the usual mode.
S# (Subaru calls it Sport Sharp, however the button says S#) makes the CVT unmistakable from a standard eight-speed automated. And we dare say it’s higher than most of its standard rivals. Plus, once you’re not in Sport Sharp you retain the low freeway revs and smoothness of a CVT.
Subaru has additionally added some starch to the suspension for the Legacy Sport. It’s a lot stiffer than the remainder of the Legacy line, however it’s nonetheless clearly a Subaru. Consider it as a barely softer model of the Subaru WRX slightly than a stiffer Legacy, and also you’ll get the thought.
The tuning is agency sufficient to toss the AWD sedan into corners with aggression, however the suspension is delicate and long-travel sufficient for cratered roads, gravel trails, and weekend rally responsibility.
You’ll additionally get a pink stripe within the grille, black-and-gray two-tone fabric seats (ignore the leather-based in my pictures), and an influence sunroof. Together with reverse automated braking, you’ll get the DriverFocus distraction mitigation system that watches you to be sure to’re watching the highway.
What we’d prefer to see on this Sport trim is a little more burble from the flat-four together with some extra turbo noises. In fact, that’s what the aftermarket is for. Subaru determined huge sedan consumers most likely need their quiet — even in an even bigger WRX.
2023 Legacy Sport Driving Impressions
The powertrain is instantly responsive, particularly in S#. Torque builds shortly and powers the Legacy down the highway. It may get a bit noisy at extensive throttle openings and excessive rpm, however S# makes positive the engine doesn’t keep there droning. And, that’s probably not how most homeowners will use this automobile anyway.
On the freeway, wind noise is minimal, and its tire noise is most obvious. Nonetheless, the automobile was big-sedan-quiet at the same time as we drove by way of some heavy wind gusts.
It’s additionally very secure — at the least for those who’re doing the driving. The lane-centering a part of Eyesight didn’t appear to love the wind and would bounce the automobile back and forth in its lane.
Clean Infotainment, however Not Fashionable
Subaru’s tall, 11.6-inch display screen controls practically every part in the case of local weather and audio capabilities. Subaru makes use of very giant graphics on the display screen making textual content and buttons appear low-resolution.
However open up CarPlay or AndroidAuto and you may shortly see that it’s not the display screen however a selection from the UX designers. Drivers who don’t need to placed on their studying glasses will most likely respect it, although youthful consumers may need one thing that appears extra trendy as a substitute.
No matter your ideas, the system operates shortly and easily. Local weather and seat heating buttons reply in a rush, with the local weather buttons citing a extra elaborate show when pressed. There’s additionally a piece on the high of the display screen that works independently. It is going to present your decide of shows that features climate, gauges, and gas economic system.
Sticking with that gas economic system for a second, the official figures are 23 miles per gallon metropolis and 31 freeway, in opposition to 27/35 for the two.5L naturally aspirated Legacy. We noticed round 27 in our testing. The figures are aggressive with different AWD sedans, although will probably be trounced by most front-driver fashions. In fact none of these supply the maxi-WRX really feel of the Legacy Sport.
Legacy Is Principally an Outback
The Legacy is, basically, an Outback with a trunk as a substitute of a hatch. So it retains among the Outback’s finest options just like the extensive and roomy cabin with exceptionally plush seats.
The US spec Legacy Premium will get the seats we examined. With delicate cushions however loads of assist, together with an adjustable thigh bolster to let the Legacy match a wider vary of inseam lengths, we will’t think about not with the ability to get comfortable in right here. It’s like a great residence recliner, however with heating and air flow.
The Legacy Sport will get fabric seats, with out a whole lot of the flamboyant creature comforts of our tester.
Cargo Carrying Comes Up Quick to Outback
What pushes consumers to the Outback over the Legacy is, we suspect, that trunk. The Legacy will maintain 15.1 cubic ft in its commodious boot and has break up folding seats to offer you extra space for longer gadgets. It’s a whole lot of room for a sedan, however it’s powerful to disregard the 32.6 cubic ft you’ll discover within the Outback. The area greater than doubles to 75.6 with the rear seat folded.
Subaru does supply a set of accent crossbars — and a Thule cargo field — so as to add more room, however the bars are restricted to 88 kilos most load.
A Lot Much less Cash Than an Outback
The window sticker exhibits a a lot greater distinction than that cargo determine, although. The worth distinction between the 2 makes the $24,395 Legacy $4,000 cheaper. The sedan even is available in for a few thousand lower than the Honda Accord regardless of the Accord not providing AWD.
The Sport trim Legacy with the two.4L turbo-four is $33,895, making this grown-up WRX barely extra cash than the precise WRX.
2023 Subaru Legacy Assessment: Abstract
Subaru’s Legacy has extra benefits over Outback than simply the worth. It’s round 200 kilos lighter, will get higher gas economic system, and is much less prone to be mistaken for 10 different equivalent wagons within the lot.
The sedan is fantastic to drive, and intensely spacious and comfy. Plus there’s nonetheless that value. The 2023 Subaru Legacy is without doubt one of the final giant sedans available on the market.
That doesn’t make it an amazing selection by default, although. Legacy earns being known as an amazing selection as a result of it presents a compelling full package deal of options and on a regular basis usability.
