2025 Subaru Legacy

Pros 

• All-wheel drive is standard, and it works great in wet conditions. 
• A turbocharged engine is offered, which gives the car strong performance. 
• A nice cabin, chairs, and a ride. 

Cons 

• The basic engine is slow and hard to speed up. 
• Touchscreens can be annoying at times. 
• An engine stop-start method that is invasive.

What about the drive in the Legacy? The Legacy’s base 2.5-liter engine was put to the test. It took 8.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour on our test track, which is a little longer than other cars with the same amount of speed. The Legacy’s extra turbocharged engine is a good choice because it is strong. A bit firmer grip on the road helps the Legacy handle better than similar midsize cars. The Subaru reacts naturally to what the driver does, and the steering is perfectly weighted. 

It can be hard to slow down easily because the nosedive that happens when you break is easy to see. Another problem with automated engine stop-start technology is that it can cause the car to buck when it starts up again after a low-speed rear hit.

How cozy does the Legacy feel? The Legacy’s comfort is the main reason people want it. The front seats in our test car are easy to change and work well. When you turn, the bolsters keep you in place, and the padding gives you support without being too hard. A flat bench is different from bent back seats, which are better for comfort. The ride is easy and doesn’t float, but there is more noise from the road and wind than on other bikes. However, the engine noise is lower than in many other cars with a continuously variable automatic gear. 

The dual-zone temperature system works well, even though it takes a little while to get used to some of the settings. The three-stage seat heaters work well, going from just a little warm to too hot.

How is the inside? Huge adults will have plenty of room in the Legacy’s cozy and nice cabin. The back seat is surprisingly roomy, with lots of space for your feet and head behind the front seats. Even with the small changes, it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. It’s easy to get in and out of the Legacy, and its big windows make it easy to see outside. 

The only mistake is relying too much on the main touchscreen. Most of the movements are hidden behind menus that you can access with your touchscreen, and there aren’t many physical controllers. Because the technology is so annoying, the fact that there isn’t a separate button to turn off the engine stop-start is even stranger. The infotainment system also takes a long time to reply to user input. It’s good that most options are simple to use.

How does the tech work? The Legacy is definitely packed full of technology, but it hits and misses just as often. The navigation system looks nice, but it could be more useful for finding interesting sites. All models, except the base Legacy, come with four USB ports and the ability to connect to smartphones via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. During our tests, Apple CarPlay and the whole Starlink entertainment system crashed a lot, and voice control didn’t work very well. 

The EyeSight set of driving aids comes with a good standard, but some of its functions are not clear. If your front impact warning is too sensitive, it will use the brakes and sound an alarm as you slowly come to a stop—adaptive cruise changes too quickly when traffic conditions change.

How are things with the storage? The Legacy’s trunk is small for its class, at 15.1 cubic feet. But the cargo space is both tall and deep, so it’s great for keeping heavy things. To make the back seats more useful, you can either press a button on the seat or pull a handle on the trunk. It’s just that the middle seat belt is attached to the back shelf, so even when the seat is folded flat, it gets in the way. 

Small things can be stored on a shelf in front of the passenger, in a small bin in front of the shifter, on a two-tiered console under the armrest, or in indoor pockets that are the right size. Small Velcro flaps make it easy to access the car seat fittings.

How much fuel does it use? The EPA says that the base-engine Legacy gets 29 mpg on the highway, which is about the same as what we got from our real-world test route. When compared to competitors with all-wheel drive, the Legacy gets about the same amount of gas mileage as some front-wheel-drive competitors.

Is there a good deal in the Legacy? A big part of the Subaru Legacy’s higher price tag over similar-equipped competitors comes from its all-wheel-drive engine. There’s no doubt that the mix of materials is better than normal, and the interior design is nice. The car has average roadside assistance, engine coverage, and bumper-to-bumper coverage for its class. However, many other midsize cars offer free regular maintenance and more extensive coverage.

In recent years, most midsize cars have finally started to look more expressive. However, the Legacy looks normal from the inside out. Thanks to its all-wheel-drive system, the Legacy handles a little better than other cars in its class. However, the engine is still not very interesting, which makes driving it less appealing. A trim level with a turbocharged engine is a great choice for people who want a more exciting experience.

The Legacy Sport has a turbocharged engine, which costs over $10,000 more than the regular Legacy but has a better engine. The Premium is our top pick. It comes with a simpler single-screen navigation system and extras like heated front seats and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat. A cheap option package with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and keyless entry and start is a simple add-on.