The Subaru Legacy is the only mid-size family sedan with standard all-wheel drive on every trim. That alone should give it the chops to take the fight to popular rivals like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, right? The problem is that the Legacy’s base four-cylinder engine is underwhelming, and the optional turbocharged flat-six sounds better on a spec sheet than it feels from the driver’s seat. To its credit, the Legacy has a roomy cabin and a sterling reputation for safety. That could matter more to sedan shoppers than sporty handling and straight-line speed.
What’s New for 2017?
Ironically, despite its disinterested driving dynamics, Subaru has opted to add a Sport trim level to the 2017 Legacy range. Slotted right in the middle of the Legacy’s five trims, the Sport adds features like push-button start, keyless entry, and a built-in garage door opener.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The standard powertrain in the Legacy consists of a horizontally opposed four-cylinder that sends 175 horsepower to all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This engine provides middling performance, though at least its easy on your fuel budget—a plus point considering all-wheel drive often puts a dent in MPGs. On paper the optional turbocharged flat-six sounds like it should deliver a big performance advantage with its total of 256 horsepower. It’s quicker, that’s obvious, but even this engine fails to provide the Legacy with the pep found in competitors like the Mazda6 and Toyota Camry. At least the Legacy’s sharp handling and comfortable suspension keep it in the hunt.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Legacy’s cabin is a perfectly fine place to spend your time, though that’s faint praise considering the same could be said for pretty much any value-minded family sedan. Cloth seating is standard, though you can upgrade to niceties like leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, dual-zone climate control, and a Harman Kardon audio system. Headroom and legroom are ample, and the trunk measures in at a commendable 15 cubic feet in capacity.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Subaru Starlink infotainment system is user-friendly and has clear graphics and simple menus. A 6.2-inch touchscreen is standard and comes with Bluetooth, a single USB port, CD player, and support for smartphone apps like Pandora, Yelp, and Best Parking. Moving up to the available 7.0-inch touchscreen brings along satellite radio and the option of a navigation system.
You can get the Subaru Legacy from Garisea.com.
