Just bought a '23 Legacy Limited around 2 months ago and it's been incredible! It's not powerful but the ride is smooth, the AWD is great, it gets really solid gas mileage, and the luxury is pretty good for the price.
I bought the same car two months ago and feel the exact same way. Great comfortable ride and plenty of power to merge on the highway. I think some of the criticisms I hear from auto critics are lame. They refer to “lag” time when using the infotainment system. The lag time infrequently is about one second. Really not much of an issue to me at all. Some think the infotainment system looks dated. How so? It looks like an iPad so is that a dated look also? You get great value, cool technology, and ultra safety features, for a reasonable price. What’s not to like?
This is a car for those who want a Buick sedan with AWD and good reliability. It's also a much more affordable alternative to Lexus ES250 AWD. I'm a middle-aged man, and I certainly appreciate the ride/seat comfort & interior quietness. I'm sure if you use it for Uber/Lyft, your passengers will love it too.
You just answered my question, I wanted to know if it rode comfortably and had some luxury. I assume it is also reliable and easy to maintain. God sent vehicles.
@@bluwng You have to rotate tires every 5,000 miles for good reason of needed even wear. A big one will be changing the CVT fluid, it must be Subaru brand , do not pay the dealer to do the change. It is okay to drive , comfortable and quiet . You will like it for longer trips. I have a 2022.
Drove a 2021 Legacy from Michigan all the way to SC. Very enjoyable to road trip in, as the fuel economy coupled with the large tank gave great range, the interior was refined at speed, and the AWD system is invincible through poor conditions. The LED headlights are excellent. I disagree with the mainstream publications saying this car isn’t sporty. It may not encourage agressive driving, but its high capability leads it to feeling really secure. Great car!
I’ve got a base 2008 Corolla, with only upgraded struts/springs, brakes, and some good tires..and I can have that thing feeling like a sports car in the mountains! Did zero engine work to it. Manly did the other stuff for safety. Stopping and diminishing body roll.
One major reason to go Subaru Legacy over Camry or Accord? Survivability. The car may not be exciting or sexy but the comfortable ride is undeniable. Thank you for pointing out the Pros/Cons. I love my 2018 Legacy Limited. And yes, I'm old.
Media programming. Driving data doesn't support tight sporty drives, no one drives on a race track 99.9% of people drive on local bumpy roads and highways. Humans are not as smart as they think they are.
2020 Legacy Limited owner here. I can’t believe this car doesn’t get more love. And with the most recent software update patching up a lot of the infotainment lagginess and UI issues this gen of Legacy models are easy recommendations.
Legacies are definitely underrated for what they offer. This would've been a great upgrade for my buddy's legacy but sadly there's no 3 pedal option. But for those Americans that can only drive 2 pedals, this is a great option. Especially when you have Honda removing the 2.0T engine from the Accord
Very much like how the reviewer spends time discussing his preferred trim level and the value associated with it. VERY helpful to anyone shopping for a vehicle and not commonly done (for some reason) by most reviewers. On a side note, the moment Subaru gets into the hybrid game using Toyota-sourced hybrid drives I will be buying Subarus until further notice.
Because of the turbo engines, I either get the Outback or the Legacy. I've driven underpowered cars before and worried that 18 wheelers and other cars were going to run me over. I want a safe, comfortable car and I'm really impressed with Subaru. The value of their cars is amazing. There model lineup forces you to think what do you need vs. what do you want. If you can get past trying to impress your neighbors and coworkers, Subaru is a great choice. Great review of this underrated gem.
As the owner of a 2021 Touring XT after a little under two years I have two gripes that were things I've never gotten used to. One is the inconsistent power delivery between the turbo engine and the CVT. Bit of lag, surging and rough fake shifts. I've trained myself to drive it fairly smoothly. That said I had a 2022 Outback Premium loaner for a week (while the Legacy was in the shop with my other gripe) and while slower it was much smoother driving. The naturally aspirated engine and the CVT work really together. Its so much better than if I had it to do over again I'd skip the turbo and save the money. My other lingering gripe (and the reason it was in the shop... again) was interior rattles. It has 12,800 miles on it and I've had it in three times fixing rattles in the AC vent by the driver's seat, where the dash meets the firewall, the eyesight camera area and the sunroof. I've never owned a car that had that many rattles this early on. I was told that interior rattles have always been a Subaru trait. For the positives I get positive comments about the beautiful Nappa leather seats and interior color by everyone who rides in it, the seats are amazing - most comfortable of any car I've been in, the ride is smooth and quiet and the Harman-Kardon premium sound system is good. If I had to do it again I would get a Limited without the turbo. Same great seats with the pullout thigh support (only with regular leather) and a smoother, more economical (if slower) powertrain.
The rattles are a good note, I'm curious to drive more press cars so I can get a better sense of that kind of stuff. My Corolla already has some pretty infuriating yet subtle noises to the cabin too.
I only had a very little rattle that I could hear in the early mornings with no traffic and the radio off, now that I installed a noisy bike rack I can’t even hear it anymore 😂. A reason in plus to play music all the times with that beautiful Harman Kardon. I own an Harman Kardon on an Alfa Romeo that is twice as powerful as the one inside the Legacy and it has the 3D audio system; the audio on the Alfa covers more frequencies and some sounds in the Legacy that you may hear low or “too in the background” in the Alfa you can hear them but as punchiness of the woofer and intensity of the sound I’d say that the 500 watts on the Legacy are very well engineered/distributed, it really gives you that sense of satisfaction after a hard day at work to blast that thing. One day at the light at the end of a song a driver next to me pulled down the window and said “Daaaang! Is that a Subaru!?” “It looks and sounds great man!”.
I have a '17 Legacy and can agree on the occasional rattle. It definitely comes from the front passenger seat as it miraculously disappears whenever my wife rides with me!
I've had a 2015 Legacy premium and I purchased a 2023 Legacy Touring XT. Great write up. The Turbo engine is much more capable than the non aspirated motor. I found I could pass on highway speeds, much faster and I had much more confidence than the non aspirated model. Coming off the light, I found it to be a little laggy, but it came on quick with the turbo (without being too quick) while the N/A motor never had power it seems. Infotainment system, to me, didn't seem laggy. I was expecting it to be crappy, but I wondered what everyone was talking about. It works great. My GMC Yukon XL is not as good and my Volvo XC60 2018, seems laggier when just starting up. Remember, when you first wake up any system, it takes a bit to load and get going, just like your computer. I find people complaining more when they first fire up their vehicle and say how laggy (any vehicle) it is. Give it a minute, then it works like normal. I didn't seem to have this on this legacy. It seems pretty quick all the time. I drove the XT Legacy from Salt lake city to Denver through the 70 and was very impressed. It doesn't handle like a Porsche, but it seemed decent. I like the CVT. It seems to coast forever. I have 6 vehicles and this is my last purchase as of last week. All are at least 2017, other than my 2010 Ford plow truck. This vehicle is the best bang. The Harman Kardon system doesn't need anything as it sounds great. On par with all my other vehicles except the Volvo and the BW system. It blows them all out of the water.....
I have a 2020 sport legacy and I’ve lifted the vehicle 2 inches which doesn’t break the warranty. The sport has everything the limited has except the extra seat length and the inside proximity feature. I replaced the air filter, battery, hoses, radiator, stock rotors and pads and put new rear and front fenders on the legacy (carbon), added aluminum metal plated black under body panels. This has helped the weight decrease which makes it a quicker and smoother ride.
As always, a very apt eview, handsome. I have a 2022 legacy touring XT and it is very much an underrated vehicle. I ordered mine so I wasn’t looking for them on lots but they are definitely an overlooked vehicle. My insurance is low on this car as well. I haven’t had any issues with the car yet but don’t drive much luckily. Oh and cute tee shirt, glad to see the gun 💪🏻show make a return. 😁
Legacies have always been underrated vehicles. I love my 03 SG Forester. The only thing that really turns me off on the new Legacy is those digital climate control buttons.
I have a '22 Limited XT and its one of the best cars I have ever had. Incredibly comfortable, the turbo is fast and gets good mpg. I think this is my 4th Legacy since 1999 and if they make a next gen I'll get that too.
I like the legacy a lot I like to see comfort the safety, the ride and feel and it grips the road like a tiger and pouring rain. Subaru is so underrated, but I won’t buy any other manufacturer as they’ve treated me well for 10 years
An excellent review, highlighting the negatives as well as the strengths. I have a 2021 Legacy the 2.5 litre engine. Not a wise choice for drag racing, but happy enough at 80. Gas mileage is very good for a non-hybrid and the overall comfort is excellent. The giant info screen takes some getting used to, and it acts up from time to time, and frankly I'd prefer a slightly smaller screen with more buttons, but the learning curve isn't too bad. Overall, a good highway car for long trips (nearly 600 miles between fill-ups on the highway). Don't know how it will do at altitude...Haven't taken it through serious altitude. Would love to hear a comment from someone who has.
I had a 2017 Legacy Premium with the 2.5 liter engine. I live in Colorado at 9600 feet elevation and work at over 10,000 feet elevation. After a year of inadequate performance (PASS? Are you crazy?) I traded up to a brand new 2023 Legacy Sport with the turbocharged engine. The dual exhaust, sport tuned suspension, and the turbocharger, even at this altitude turned the Legacy from Marvin Milktoast to a major mountain climber. (Pass? Hit the Sport mode button. Watch the engine gain 1000 rpm on cruise control. Put the foot to the floor and after about 3 second turbo lag, your neck snaps and you fly past whatever you are passing. If you keep you foot down very long you will VERY QUICKLY go from 50 mph to very high rate of speed necessary to safely pass and you are barely at 4000 rpm at 10,000 feet, more or less, elevation.) Even at the high rate of speed the engine isn't even straining itself. The 2.5 liter would be straining significantly at this point. I was very surprised how different the two cars perform at altitude. (A moment of silence, please) Regrettably on April 20th, 2023, my not quite 4 month old Subaru Legacy Sport was totaled due to being hit in the rear end due to an inattentive driver. I am actively shopping for its replacement.
I like the Legacy a lot. I wish more people would give Subaru a chance, instead of just automatically going to Honda or Toyota as everyone has been programmed to do. Corolla and Civic, great cars, but not the only good cars around.
I think you nailed everything about this car! We have the "premium" version and all you say is accurate to how we feel about the car at this time. Thanks for this video!
One thing to keep in mind is that Subaru has issues with their infotainment system and have 2 class action lawsuits over them. I have a 2018 Subaru Legacy limited which it's infotainment system went bad 4 months after it's extended warranty ended. I cannot get a new one from the dealer and when complaining to the parts person they recommend going after market so why did I buy a limited if I loose that on changing out the infotainment system? This was my only real option so if you are looking at Subaru take into consideration the lack of support for their electronics.
Spot on with comments on the steering feel, I would call it an appliance akin to an iron, something you don't put much thought into and use daily, but due to the CVT it's more like coffee grinder. 😉
@Brian Lee all CVT's have the same issue when accelerating...waaaaahhhh, its awfu😂. If you're not into enthusiastic driving fill your boots and buy a car with a CVT.
Had an XT and promptly dumped it halfway through my lease. It was made well and drove very well but the electronics gremlins did me in. I was fighting the lane centering against hurling me to the right, the facial recognition system would forget who I was, the cruise control controls were stupid (one click=5 mph change), and it had the most annoying start stop system of all time.
We bought an early production 2020 Premium and it did have a buggy screen that would shut off for no reason in the middle of driving and have to reboot. It would happen about once a week. We complained and got a $500 service credit which paid for most of a new set of tires. Mid 2021 they sent out an update which fixed it and it hasn't happened since.
You noted all the pros and cons well. I have a 2020 Outback because of it's hauling ability, and high roof line. But I loved the sedan when I tried it. The lower ride height I thought provided a nice handling and with awd most of us really don't need 8.7" of ground clearance. Then there's the touch screen that is so poor on both cars. Slow, and not intuitive and the climate controls are miniature and an after thought.
My 2021 Legacy Touring XT has been Beast so far; I call it the “Japanese Muscle Car” because it is very bulky and almost as heavy as a Dodge and it is still pretty fast. My lot/model in particular had no recalls so far’ it has been very fun to drive even if the acceleration is “spinal” if from going slow you have the bad idea to go “pedal to the metal”. The power is there and it is a lot, no the best in the segment but as relation to HP/Torque it is second to nobody and that’s why the weight and torque of this car may hurt your back if you are not a careful driver. If you drive like a good driver then this car will deliver the best comfort in the segment not the best drive because the Alfa Romeo has that title but I would put this Legacy in second place. Trunk space is HUGE, it is very slightly smaller than the Accord but you can fit more luggages inside because of how the space is distributed. I just hit the 14k miles and I haven’t had a single problem.
I got a 2020 Legacy base model love it all around great daily driver point A to point B transportation. its comfortable it's got all wheel drive its roomy and reliable got no complaints.
I have a 2019 sport. We drove from Pennsylvania to Sanfrancisco with 3 people. For this type of driving its the best car I have ever owned. I keep pricing the new model years againstg other AWD competitors and it seems like all the legacy trims just give more for your money. Also for insurance the fact its not popular or the most fun keeps youger drivers from desiring it and that can lead to better rates. The loss experience for the vehicle is not skewed by all the more accident prone inexperienced drivers.
Not sure what resale you have in mind but non turbo Subaru Legacy value hits the bottom fast! But it stay at the bottom longer which over time is higher than others.
Considering the ascent starts at 2k more over the Impreza I think the ascent is much better value. I own a WRX currently but this would be a great second car.
I've owned a 2016 since new. It had every feature for much less than many other cars I compared. It has been a great car, put Blizzaks on it for winter and it goes anywhere in the snow my 2013 OUtback did. Standard AWD, Eyesight/adaptive CC, and safety suite that just trumped the competition for the price at the time. I think many just don't like the brand name. Very silly, and people should get over it. Subaru is doing better with styling that is appealing to some younger buyers. They need to do a better job at this.
I have a 2022 legacy Premium and I really do enjoy it for a four cyl car I can remember v-8 that used to take 10 seconds to 60mph and mine is in the low 8's and my Subaru is quieter than my son's 2023 Camry
Same here. If I didn't mind the lower ride height I'd go for the Legacy base model. But I prefer the Outback in Onyx trim. If they made a Legacy SUS again and gave it the StarTex interior, I'd consider it.
@@thrasherx2k1I don't agree, I find the outback really beautiful, I like Subaru style/design in general ,distinctive and unique . Not for everyone probably
CVT's seem to take finesse to find out where the human throttle operation meets the computers performance peak. It's not as simple as pressing the gas. My Corolla's acceleration varies quite a bit depending on whether or not you apply gas at the right time. It's weird and not like a standard automatic at all.
Subaru should bring back manual transmission and hood scoop. While the old XT never sold in big numbers, they generated more sells for the rest of the line. Same goes for the Forester. I’d never buy a car with CVT, unless it’s an EV.
I have a 2021 Legacy Limited, and it has all the "new" features you described as being new for 2024. So, there is nothing new. Purchasing the turbo model is a waste of money, and I have no acceleration issues without it. I can driver over 700 highway miles, so the fuel economy is superior. During the first year of ownership, I did have issues with the media center, but I think it was more a problem with a lack of maintenance skill on behalf of the dealership. But I've had no issues with this car in the long run. I don't see or experience any downside with this vehicle. I do think the cost to maintain this car is unnecessarily high, but even all the third party maintenance centers are charging the same as the dealerships these days.
I feel like it's a niche product. A relatively quick, but nondescript vehicle, perfect for tenured professors at midwestern state universities who don't necessarily want anything showy.
Other changes that make the car look cheaper and less upscale: All the chrome/bright trim around the windows, belt line, and front has been replaced with out-of-the-molder black plastic. No attempt to finish in any way. As you mentioned, the car as very little in the way of emotional appeal, but why not I'd ask Subaru. Bending metal isn't expensive. I do not need the AWD, so that is just extra cost for no benefit for me. The controls all being touch, is a negative. The auto start/stop is also a negative. While the power is okay, it sure wouldn't hurt to have a bit more. I've not driven the turbo, but it is a fairly substantial price increase to get it and you can't just option it, it has to be a trim level only option, so it's sales will be limited. Subaru ought to make it an option across the board aside from the base trim. They may increase their sales. But, the black trim everywhere is what the base had and the trims above it replaced it with bright trim. That's a miss in my book. It brings the whole range downward market.
@@louisehorner6180 I sound practical. If you are saying AWD is upmarket? I don't need it or want to pay for it. I'd rather spend my money on something that I use vs. something that just adds weight and cost.
Did you notice if wired CarPlay still works? I’ve read that once they upgraded to wireless in the 2023+ OB models, you could only use CarPlay wirelessly (rather use wired IMO)
Good car but the lower ground clearance and lack of cargo space are deal breakers. A sedan is next to worthless for me. My last car was an Impreza sedan which was a great car but I couldn't even haul a piece of Ikea furniture and it sat too low to even go camping.
Own a 2022 Legacy Touring XT rn. Brand new $40k off the lot. Oil level sensor was dripping oil at about 800 miles. Parts was on nationwide back order for over a month. While getting the oil level sensor replaced, technician said the lower oil pan was also leaking. They had to reseal the lower pan. Not a peace of mind on reliability on a $40k sedan. MPG in city is 16 but Hwy is close to 28-30. 11.6" infotainment was clunky, slow and glitchy up until the most recent March 2023 firmware update. It help but for how long? Time will tell. The new UI looks better with the AVH icon on the screen along with heated/ventilated seats seat icon. Now comes the rattling: eye sight, moon roof, center channel speaker area, passenger side door has an annoying pinging sound along with the seat belt B pillar inside. Just recently started happening. I get to work in the morning, work my shift, jump in the car and push start and it just cranks, cranks, cranks like its starving for fuel or spark and then fires up. Battery tested good. Battery charging good. Changed the fob battery. Happened 2x already since the beginning of April 2023. Not sure and the temperature outside has been 70-75 in the afternoon too. Not bashing Subaru, I get every vehicle has issues. We still own 4 total Subaru's in our family and drive all of them daily. Mine is the newest with the most issues.
@@RoBDeeZL42 I still have battery issues but Subaru keeps saying my battery is testing good still, I have to keep it on a charger every couple weeks but I don’t drive as much as others. My 2022 has 7300 miles on it so far. My windshield just cracked over night 6 months ago. Fought tooth and nail with SOA and local dealership and they agreed to replace it as it was manufacturers defect not from any rock chips. Just took it to a dealership two weeks ago as one of the rear license plate led light went out. Tech confirmed but parts on backorder. Updated firmware on Infotainment still has issues just not as much as the old firmware. Lately before the update yesterday the USB with nothing plugged in was saying both USB slot was plugged in.
@@zyralius That's wild. I have an older 2012 Legacy and thinking about getting a 2024 or 2025 touring xt. My Legacy held up great but i didn't drive it a lot, it's around 70k miles probably, but just want a new car. I like the Subaru itself but my dealership service experience hasn't been very good the last few years. I imagine most dealerships for any kind of car are like this now tho. Was just curious how your car was holding up and the issues you were still dealing with or any new ones that have come about. Thanks for your response to a question from a 2 year old post!
@@RoBDeeZL42 we own and still have 4 Subaru’s so we are not new to this brand. Cannot say anything about 2023/2024. my dealerships around me are good as far as regular service like oil change rotation and etc but getting them to deal with warranty is a longer process than I expected but that’s normal. once paid off in like 10 months not sure what I am gonna do but right now with the current prices on stuff and the mileage I drive, I’ll likely keep it since I have the 10y/100k Gold Plus on my Legacy. I also heard Legacy is being phased out as most people are going for SUV/crossovers not sedans so 2025 might be it for the Legacy.
@@zyralius yea, i only really got a subaru the first time because my mom has had like 3 different forresters and i had two different friends with wrx’s. Theyve since moved on to other cars. I was looking at other cars but i was actually happy overall with the legacy. Its between the legacy xt touring or the accord touring. Decisions decisions
So did most of the industry! Work in a fuel induction cleaner (not a tank additive) every 25-35k miles and should be fine. Though I can’t really speak for 200k mile plus cars.
Naturally aspirated 2.5 with a CVT may not give the best merge-to-traffic power. I hope they fixed the boxer engine's leaky headgasket issue. It's a nice looking car. It would be sad if it ends up like a Nissan Altima with its CVT issues.
I still have my 1999 Subaru Legacy with my own 'sport tuned ' suspension and MANUAL TRANSMISSION... Sorry I wouldn't pay outback limited XT money for this... Wife will be getting a new van once we find one and I'll get the outback XT for myself... Subaru lost the fun Factor when they went purely CVT ... I like the eyesight but thing still has issues if I wear sunglasses...or thinks I not paying attention...not to mention knowing it is me 🤷♂️
I have a 1998 Japanese Subaru Legacy B4 RSK, so much fun to drive, manual, twin turbo, confortable and 340hp at the moment. The new legacies are boring and sluggish. Better get a WRX. The old legacies with the 2.5 are pretty reliable when you have fixed the headgasket, sold mine at 320.000 km.
Hey, thanks for your input. I have a 2018 Mazda 6 signature which I like very much, unfortunately they haven't introduced the new ones in N America. How would you compare the Signature to the Legacy touring ET...my guess is that the Mazda is better am I correct?
The CVT is bad, they go out before 100K. That's why they extended the warranty to 100k. Ours went out at 90k. Our radio went bad at 50k Satelite radio makes a clicking noise and stations don't work. . 2 bad shocks leak at 40k & 60k. A/C compressor went out at 100k. Front seat is ripped cheap leather. It rides great and love the all wheel drive. however it's slow and ttrying to pass on the Freeway is an effort. It's a shame cause we like the car's comfy seats and rides well. We have 2017 Legacy Premium. 14:1 Camry/Subaru. Yes cause my 2014 Camry has over 200k and the only thing that went out was the Serpentine belt. So, there is a reason everyone buys a Camry. I would NEVER buy another Subaru again. To problematic. Subaru CVT's don't last & A/C went out. Not good.
That's quite the car to compare this too! Legacy is lighter, if you're comparing turbo to turbo or 2.5 to 2.5, the Legacy will be a little more spry. The Wilderness has a more aggressive final drive ratio so it may feel more peppy at low speeds but that's about it.