The Subaru Legacy often flies under the radar, overshadowed by its popular sibling, the Outback. In fact, sales figures show the Legacy selling at just a fraction of the Outback’s volume, leading many to believe it’s fading into obscurity. However, Subaru hasn’t given up on its sedan. Instead, they’ve doubled down, equipping the 2023 Legacy with significant upgrades mirroring those given to the Outback, and introducing a refreshed look that’s undeniably more appealing. These enhancements bolster the Legacy’s attractiveness, potentially making it a smarter purchase than the Subaru Outback wagon for many buyers.
Image alt text: Front three-quarter view of a silver 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport parked outdoors, showcasing its updated front fascia.
For the 2023 model year, the Subaru Legacy boasts a refreshed exterior design. Beyond aesthetics, Subaru has refined the driver assistance technology, enhancing the EyeSight system with new cameras for improved performance and reducing the frequency of alerts that some drivers found excessive in previous models.
The 2023 Legacy also steps into the modern tech age with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, available on models equipped with the expansive 11.6-inch display. Both systems are designed to fully utilize the generous screen size, enhancing the user experience.
In short: The 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport emerges as a compelling alternative for those who appreciate the spirit of the WRX but require a larger, more refined vehicle. For buyers considering an Outback but not needing the extra cargo space or higher price tag, the Legacy presents itself as a comfortable, quiet, and value-packed option. This legacy sport review dives deeper into what makes this sedan stand out.
Legacy Sport: Channeling the Spirit of Subaru’s Past
Image alt text: Side profile of a 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport in motion on a paved road, highlighting its sporty stance and redesigned wheels.
The Legacy Sport trim evokes memories of the revered Legacy 2.5GT spec.B, a time when Subaru was more prominently associated with performance sedans. In previous years, the “Sport” designation on the Legacy was largely cosmetic, limited to 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and red interior accents. However, for 2023, “Sport” signifies a genuine performance upgrade, featuring a turbocharged engine and a sport-tuned suspension.
During the legacy sport review process, we experienced the GT trim, a Canadian-specific variant that blends the Sport’s performance enhancements with the leather seating found in the US-spec Touring model. This subtle difference in trim names across markets essentially offers the same core sporty and luxurious experience.
Turbocharged Power Under the Hood
Image alt text: Close-up view of the front grille and headlight of a 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport, emphasizing the red accent stripe and aggressive design cues.
The heart of the 2023 Legacy Sport is Subaru’s 2.4L turbocharged flat-four engine. This engine is not exclusive to the Legacy Sport; it’s also found in the larger Subaru Ascent SUV and, importantly, the latest generation WRX. This shared powerplant is a clear indicator of the performance intentions behind the Sport trim, echoing the spirit of the spec.B models of the past.
In the Legacy Sport configuration, this engine delivers 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. While it’s slightly less powerful than the WRX in terms of horsepower, it actually offers more torque, which translates to more noticeable responsiveness in everyday driving situations.
An added benefit for Legacy Sport owners is that it runs on regular gasoline, unlike the WRX which requires premium fuel. With fluctuating and often rising fuel costs, this can be a significant advantage for budget-conscious drivers seeking performance without premium fuel bills. This aspect is often highlighted in Legacy Sport Reviews.
Sport Sharp Mode: Transforming the CVT Experience
Image alt text: Interior shot of the 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport’s dashboard, focusing on the gear selector and “S#” (Sport Sharp) drive mode button.
While the 2023 Legacy Sport doesn’t offer the coveted six-speed manual transmission that was available in the spec.B, it does incorporate Subaru’s S# (Sport Sharp) drive mode for its Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This feature, borrowed from the current WRX, significantly elevates the driving experience. Although not as aggressively tuned as in the WRX, the Sport Sharp mode represents a substantial improvement over the standard CVT mode.
Engaging S# mode transforms the CVT, making it feel remarkably similar to a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. In some respects, it could even be argued that it surpasses many traditional automatic rivals in responsiveness and gear selection logic. Furthermore, when not in Sport Sharp mode, the CVT retains its inherent advantages of smooth operation and low engine speeds at highway cruising, contributing to fuel efficiency and relaxed driving.
Subaru has also enhanced the suspension of the Legacy Sport, giving it a firmer setup compared to other Legacy trims. However, it remains unmistakably a Subaru in its ride quality. Think of it as a slightly softened version of the WRX’s suspension rather than a stiffened Legacy, striking a balance between sporty handling and everyday comfort. This suspension tuning allows for confident cornering while still providing sufficient compliance for rough roads, gravel surfaces, and even light off-road adventures.
Image alt text: Close up of the front grille of a Canadian spec 2023 Subaru Legacy GT model, highlighting the red accent stripe and Subaru badge.
Additional Sport trim features include a red accent stripe on the grille, distinctive black and gray two-tone cloth seats (note that leather seats in some photos are from the Canadian GT trim), and a power sunroof. In terms of safety and driver assistance, the Legacy Sport is equipped with reverse automatic braking and the DriverFocus distraction mitigation system, which monitors driver attention to promote safer driving.
One area for potential improvement in the Sport trim, as noted in many legacy sport reviews, is the exhaust note. Enthusiasts might desire a more pronounced burble from the flat-four engine and more noticeable turbocharger sounds. However, the aftermarket offers solutions for those seeking a more auditory performance experience. Subaru’s decision to prioritize quietness in the cabin, even in the Sport model, likely reflects the preferences of typical large sedan buyers.
Driving Dynamics: Responsive and Refined
The powertrain in the 2023 Legacy Sport feels immediately responsive, particularly when in S# mode. Torque delivery is readily available, propelling the sedan with уверенность. While engine noise can become more prominent at wide-open throttle and higher RPMs, the S# mode effectively prevents the engine from lingering at high revs unnecessarily. Furthermore, such aggressive driving is unlikely to be the norm for most owners of this vehicle.
On the highway, the Legacy Sport exhibits minimal wind noise, with tire noise being the most noticeable sound. Despite this, the cabin remains remarkably quiet, even when driving through strong crosswinds, contributing to a comfortable and relaxed driving experience.
The Legacy Sport also demonstrates excellent stability, enhancing driver confidence. However, during testing for this legacy sport review, the lane-centering assist feature within EyeSight seemed somewhat sensitive to wind gusts, occasionally causing the car to oscillate slightly within its lane.
Infotainment: Functional but Not Flashy
Image alt text: Interior view of the 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport, showing the large 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment display.
Subaru’s 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen dominates the center console, controlling a wide range of vehicle functions, including climate and audio settings. The infotainment system utilizes large icons and text, which, while appearing somewhat low-resolution to some, is a deliberate design choice by Subaru’s UX team.
This design prioritizes ease of use, especially for drivers who may prefer not to strain their eyes. However, younger buyers accustomed to more modern and visually sleek interfaces might find the system’s aesthetics less appealing.
Regardless of personal preferences regarding visual design, the system operates with speed and smoothness. Climate and seat heating controls respond promptly, with dedicated climate buttons providing access to more detailed settings when pressed. A customizable section at the top of the screen allows drivers to display information such as weather, vehicle gauges, or fuel economy.
Regarding fuel economy, the official EPA ratings for the 2.4L turbocharged Legacy Sport are 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. During our legacy sport review testing, we observed an average of around 27 mpg in combined driving. These figures are competitive within the AWD sedan segment, although they are surpassed by most front-wheel-drive models. However, none of those front-drive rivals offer the quasi-WRX driving experience of the Legacy Sport.
Legacy: An Outback in Sedan Form
Fundamentally, the Legacy is essentially an Outback with a traditional trunk instead of a hatchback. Consequently, it retains many of the Outback’s desirable attributes, including a spacious and comfortable cabin with exceptionally comfortable seats.
The US-spec Legacy Premium trim shares the same seats that were tested in the GT trim, offering a plush yet supportive feel. With features like adjustable thigh bolsters, these seats are designed to accommodate a wide range of body types and preferences, ensuring long-distance comfort. They offer a level of comfort comparable to a high-quality home recliner, enhanced with heating and ventilation options.
Image alt text: Interior of the 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport showcasing the cloth seats, dashboard, and center console.
The Legacy Sport trim features cloth seats, omitting some of the premium comfort features found in higher trims.
Cargo Capacity: Trunk vs. Hatch
Image alt text: Open trunk of a 2023 Subaru Legacy, demonstrating its cargo space and split-folding rear seats.
The primary factor driving buyers towards the Outback over the Legacy is likely cargo space. The Legacy offers a generous 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space and includes split-folding rear seats for accommodating longer items. While this is substantial for a sedan, it pales in comparison to the Outback’s 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Subaru does offer accessory crossbars and Thule cargo boxes to increase cargo capacity for Legacy owners, but the roof rack system has a weight limit of 88 pounds.
Price Advantage: Legacy vs. Outback
The price difference between the Legacy and Outback is more significant than the cargo space disparity might suggest. With a starting price around $24,395, the Legacy is approximately $4,000 less expensive than the Outback. Remarkably, the sedan even undercuts the Honda Accord in price, despite the Accord not offering all-wheel drive.
The Sport trim Legacy, equipped with the 2.4L turbo-four engine, starts at $33,895. This pricing positions the grown-up WRX-inspired Legacy Sport only slightly above the actual WRX in terms of cost, making it a compelling value proposition for those seeking performance and practicality in a sedan format. This price point is often praised in legacy sport reviews.
2023 Subaru Legacy Review: Final Verdict
Image alt text: Front view of a silver 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport driving on a scenic road, showcasing its updated headlights and grille.
The Subaru Legacy offers several advantages over the Outback beyond just its lower price. It’s approximately 200 pounds lighter, achieves better fuel economy, and possesses a degree of visual distinction compared to the ubiquitous Outback wagons.
The sedan delivers a delightful driving experience and provides exceptional spaciousness and comfort. Crucially, the price remains a significant draw. The 2023 Subaru Legacy stands as one of the few remaining large sedans in the market.
However, its appeal isn’t solely due to its dwindling segment. The Legacy earns its recommendation by presenting a compelling and well-rounded package of features and everyday usability. For those seeking a sedan that blends sporty driving dynamics with practicality and value, the 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport is definitely worth considering, as highlighted in numerous legacy sport reviews.
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