Used 2023 Subaru Legacy

A minor update marks the arrival of the 2023 Legacy midsize sedan. The front end is tweaked, safety systems are improved, and the Sport trim finally receives the lineup’s turbocharged engine to actually make it more sporty.

Otherwise, the Legacy continues to be an all-wheel-drive (AWD) outlier. Some rivals don’t even have AWD on their options lists. The other usual Subaru virtues of toughness, reliability, and excellent results from crash-test programs are also present. This is a sedan for the many Subaru buyers living in areas where harsh winters are expected rather than surprising.

Steady and stable — that’s how the 2023 Legacy drives. Outward vision is good, and the simple, functional dashboard does nothing to distract the driver’s eyes.

Each version has active torque vectoring, where the standard all-wheel-drive system apportions power to whichever wheels can help the Legacy track through corners most efficiently. This helps keep the car stable and easy to drive while the AWD system does its work.

The base engine is the best buy for most drivers. In our experience, the performance is modest, and what it lacks in excitement it makes up for in efficiency.

Life behind the wheel perks up considerably with the 260-horsepower turbocharged engine found in the Limited XT and Touring XT. Now, it’s also in the more affordable Sport, complemented by this variant’s sport-tuned suspension.

Simple and spacious — that’s how the 2023 Legacy sedan’s cabin feels. Materials are of acceptable quality, the layout works from an ergonomic point of view, and road/wind noise gets nicely subdued.

The Sport trim has its own black/gray cloth upholstery with red stitching, plus aluminum alloy pedals. The top Touring XT comes with perforated, extra-soft Nappa leather seating surfaces.

We found the rear seats to be roomy and adult-friendly. The rear seats also split and fold in the time-honored 60/40 manner to add extra versatility to what is already a practical and spacious 15.1-cubic foot trunk with a wide opening.

A revised front end for 2023 brings new LED headlights, a larger grille, and a fresh fascia. This new front end gives the Legacy a more distinct look that makes it stand out a bit more in its class. The Sport version puts a red accent across the grille.

All-wheel drive
Subaru and all-wheel drive go together like bacon and eggs, shoes and socks, and Mick and Keith. It’s included on every Subaru save the BRZ sports coupe. It’s reassuring in bad weather and provides optimum traction in the dry.

11.6-inch infotainment system
This becomes standard in the Premium trim level, one up from the base model. It’s oriented vertically and makes the cabin feel cooly contemporary. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are added for 2023.

EyeSight driver assist technology
Subaru’s priority on safety comes through in the EyeSight safety tech suite. Standard EyeSight features include automatic emergency braking and steering, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and automatic high beams.

Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio
The Limited and Touring XT models feature a rich Harman Kardon premium audio system. This is a 576-watt system with 12 speakers and Clari-Fi technology for the clearest musical reproduction.

Exciting turbo engine
The turbo engine in the Sport and Touring XT makes the Legacy more exciting to drive. It’s rated at 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which is a big improvement in performance over the base engine.

Nappa leather seats
The top Touring XT model is more luxurious than you might expect for a Subaru sedan. It features supple Nappa leather seating that adds a premium feel to the Legacy while remaining a good value.

Popular Engine

The most popular engine in the Legacy is a 4-cylinder “boxer” engine. Its performance is modest but adequate, and it returns good fuel economy. It’s mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive comes standard.

2.5-liter 4-cylinder
182 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
176 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/35 mpg

Turbo Engine

The turbocharged 4-cylinder engine option brings a significant performance upgrade to the Legacy. It turns this Subaru into a more exciting sedan, especially if you get the Sport trim with its revised suspension system. It’s not as efficient as the base engine, but it still has reasonable fuel costs and doesn’t require premium gas.

Like the base engine, every turbocharged Legacy has a CVT transmission and all-wheel drive.

2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
260 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
277 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/31 mpg

More Legacy fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Subaru Legacy is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. These warranties are typical for this class.