The Legacy isn't Subaru's most exciting car - that title goes to the WRX STI S209 for now - but it's been a quiet staple in the automaker's lineup for more than three decades. In a class where even the Toyota Camry can be had with 300 horsepower and super-aggro styling, the Legacy survives on the merits of its standard all-wheel drive system and stellar safety scores. Subaru just announced updates to the car for 2023, which bring new styling and better tech to the long-running sedan.
Subaru offers the Legacy in six trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT. The Sport trim now gets a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It's a 2.4-liter unit that makes 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Lower trims get a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive. There's no hybrid option, but Subaru says the turbo engine returns up to 32 mpg on the highway, and the 2.5-liter hits 35 mpg, giving the car a range of more than 600 miles per tank.
Subaru gave the Legacy a facelift, bringing a new front fascia, updated LED headlights, and a redesigned grille.
Inside, cloth upholstery is standard, and the mid-range Sport trim adds two-tone cloth with red accent stitching. The Limited trim gets perforated leather, and the top Touring XT gets ventilated front seats.
A seven-inch display is standard, but most Legacy models have an 11.6-inch touchscreen that runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The display features virtual controls for climate, audio, and vehicle settings. Subaru's Starlink infotainment software works decently but can be clunky and slow at times. The system can sometimes be frustrating, especially since the screen handles so many vehicle functions.
The Legacy comes standard with the latest version of Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance system. The package brings adaptive cruise control with lane centering, a driver distraction mitigation system, automatic emergency braking, and more. Crash test results aren't available for the 2023 Legacy yet, but Subaru says it expects the new car to match its predecessor's Top Safety Pick + award. Subaru includes the tech in most of its vehicles, including the new BRZ when equipped with an automatic gearbox
We don't have pricing information for the new Legacy yet but expect it to start around $25,000. Subaru says it will build the car at its facility in Lafayette, Indiana, where it also builds the Ascent, Impreza, and Outback. The Legacy will arrive on dealers' lots this fall.