Subaru has built a legacy surrounded by a reputation for safe, affordable, and long-lasting vehicles. This is why it is fitting that it named its flagship midsize sedan the Legacy. Introduced in time for the 1992 model year, the Subaru Legacy came out at a time when drivers preferred vehicles were midsize sedans. While tastes have changed, with more folks preferring SUVs and pickup trucks, the Legacy has soldiered on as one of the few midsize sedans to continue to capture the public’s imagination. The 2023 Subaru Legacy is part of the seventh generation of this model that started in 2020 with an updated body and chassis, which also made the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology a standard feature on all models.
Even though the 2023 Legacy is a mid-generation model, that hasn’t stopped Subaru from continuing to make incremental improvements on this sedan. Updates have been made to the EyeSight system, while the interior and exterior styling has been improved as well. With a base MSRP of $24,395, the 2023 Legacy continues to be one of the most affordable midsize sedans on the market.
Subaru gives you a choice of two different engines on the 2023 Legacy, a 2.5-liter Boxer-4 engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque and a 2.4-liter Turbocharged Boxer-4 that delivers 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both come paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and are notable for their fuel efficiency. In addition, each Legacy is equipped with standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, giving you exceptional traction no matter the weather or road conditions.
A Legacy of Comfort and Convenience
The 2023 Subaru Legacy provides 104-105.5 cubic feet of space inside the passenger compartment, depending on which of the five different trim levels you choose. This translates into 42.8 inches of legroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the back. This shows that the designers at Subaru have done a good job of apportioning the space between the two rows. However, this only tells part of the story, as the compartment itself is chock full of comfort and convenience details.
Each Legacy model’s seats have been upholstered with high-quality materials that are both durable and comfortable. The Base and Premium trims feature seats with cloth upholstery, while the Sport model has an upgraded sport cloth upholstery with red contrast stitching that is quite striking. Meanwhile, the Limited and Touring XT models of the 2023 Legacy have leather-trimmed upholstery. No matter which model you choose, you will get an interior that is easy to clean. In addition, all models except for the Base feature front seats that are heated, which will come in handy on cold mornings. The Limited and Touring XT also provide heating in the rear outboard seats. Finally, all of the trim levels except the Base offer a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob that provides better grip. The steering wheel on the Sport and Touring XT is also heated, again something that you will appreciate on a cold day.
The interior of the Legacy has been maximized to provide the most convenience. For example, Subaru has strategically placed eight cup and bottle holders around the interior so each of your five passengers can enjoy a beverage during the drive. In addition, there is an illuminated front USB-A input port in all models. Except for the Base trim, there is also an additional USB-C input port in front and a pair of ports in the back so you and your passengers can keep your devices connected and charged throughout your ride.
Subaru has gained a reputation for its exceptional use of technology, as evidenced by its STARLINK Multimedia system. No matter which Legacy trim you choose, you will get the latest version of the STARLINK system. The Base model features a seven-inch high-resolution LCD touchscreen, while the other trims have increased this to an incredibly large 11.6-inch touchscreen that is easy to see and access. This allows you to stream your favorite apps using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and to make hands-free calls using Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The system on the Premium and Limited trims adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can leave the annoying charging cables at home. The Sport and Touring XT trims go a step further, adding a built-in GPS navigation system.
Each model also offers an audio system as part of the STARLINK Multimedia system. The Base trim features a four-speaker system, while the Premium and Sport offer six-speakers, and the Limited and Touring XT upgrade this to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. This Harman Kardon audio system comes with an incredible 576-watt GreenEdge amplifier that needs to be heard to be believed.
A Legacy of Safety
Subaru has a well-deserved reputation for building safe vehicles. This is certainly the case with the 2023 Legacy. Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) perform a series of crash and safety tests on most passenger vehicles. The NHTSA gave the 2023 Legacy a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS named the 2023 Legacy a Top Safety Pick+ among midsize cars.
A big reason for the Legacy’s exceptional safety performance is the standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology on every model. This system combines a pair of forward-mounted cameras behind the windshield just below the roofline with a set of sensors throughout the lower frame. These act to provide real-time data to the system’s computer. As a result, each Legacy model has Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering. This not only helps to maintain the efficient performance of the Legacy’s Boxer-4 engine by holding a steady speed on the highway, it will adjust the speed if there is slower traffic ahead, restoring it to your pre-selected speed when the traffic clears. In addition, it provides steering assist to keep your Legacy centered in your lane, helping you avoid a collision on the highway.
If the EyeSight system detects an imminent front-end collision, it will engage the Pre-Collision Braking. It will also enable Automatic Emergency Steering to help you either avoid a crash or reduce the damage if a crash is unavoidable. The EyeSight system will also help you avoid collisions caused by drifting out of your lane. If the system detects that you are drifting, it will use the Lane Departure and Sway Warnings to alert you while engaging the Lane Keep Assist to use slight steering adjustments to get you back in line.
Finally, each Legacy has High Beam Assist. This will turn your high-beam headlights on when the EyeSight system detects an area of low light. It will then automatically turn them off when the lighting improves or it detects another vehicle. This will allow you to focus on driving instead of fiddling with your headlights.
A Legacy of Cargo Management
Cargo space is always at a premium on midsize sedans. Most models from other brands provide a modest trunk that is practically unusable, as the automakers favor providing the greatest amount of space inside the passenger compartment. Subaru provides a sizable 15.1 cubic feet of space in the 2023 Legacy’s trunk, which is plenty of room for your latest shopping excursion or your passengers’ luggage on a fun road trip.
The Subaru Legacy also provides some special features that help you maximize the car’s trunk. There is a trunk underfloor storage tray that is easily accessed by removing the top lid, giving you additional cargo space. In addition, you can easily fold down the rear 60/40-split bench so you can slide longer objects into the back of your Legacy.
Subaru also gives you some additional room if you have personal items you need to store inside your Legacy. The center console gives you space for such things as sunglasses, brochures, and emergency gear, like flashlights. All of these touches show how Subaru has maximized the area in the 2023 Legacy sedan.
Start a Legacy With Your Next Subaru
If you are looking for a midsize sedan that provides you with the safety, convenience, and practical features you need, then your best option is the 2023 Subaru Legacy. Subaru has used its years of building affordable, convenient models to produce a sedan that utilizes the latest technology. If you are ready to get a sedan that can handle whatever you throw at it during your day, then you should stop by your local Subaru dealership to check out the 2023 Subaru Legacy today!
