- 1. A supportive and comfortable ride quality
- 2. Smooth Transmission
- 3. Plenty of cargo space for its class
For the 2023 model year lineup, Subaru is updating many of its SUV models and a few sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes. One of them received a fairly high score and got a recommendation from Consumer Reports. The Subaru Legacy, the brand’s midsize sedan, looks to be a pretty good offering this year, which is not surprising since it closely resembles the 2022 version. So, what features stood out the most with Consumer Reports?
1. A supportive and comfortable ride quality
2023 Subaru Legacy | Subaru of America, Inc.
Consumer Reports was well pleased with the way the 2023 Subaru Legacy drove. It handled responsively during the publication’s tests and offered a quiet ride with minimal noise inside the cabin area.
Its suspension system handled road imperfections quite well, using a well-calibrated electronic stability control system. Road imperfections of all types weren’t felt during the drive.
CR even likened its ride quality to feeling more like a luxury car, claiming it surpassed the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Lexus LS with the way it rode.
2. Smooth Transmission
Powering it up is a non-turbo four-cylinder engine producing 182 hp and comes standard with the Subaru Legacy model. The upgraded turbocharged option for the XT versions generates 260 hp and gets around a 7.1 second acceleration time for a 0 to 60 mph run, according to Consumer Reports.
However, it’s the transmission that gets praise in the powertrain system. Its CVT performs so well that it feels much like what you get with a traditional automatic gearbox. CR reported that it shifted gears smoothly and avoided the high-revving and rubber-banding that other CVTs are plagued with. Sad to say, no manual is offered with any of the trims.
The only drawback is that it will have some revving issues when trying to get full power on the standard engine. However, that’s because the 182-hp unit doesn’t perform as well as the upgraded engine does.
3. Plenty of cargo space for its class
Need a lot of junk in your trunk? ?
Our editors are measuring vehicle cargo space and the results might surprise you! https://t.co/pgzkK7FEqZ
— Cars.com (@carsdotcom) September 1, 2022
While the Subaru Legacy’s exterior has some praiseworthy features with the suspension system and its transmission, the interior has one particular benefit to this sedan: the cargo area. The opening to the trunk is plenty wide and allows more than enough room to access items easily. It’s also tall enough to store larger items like suitcases when embarking on a long journey.
The Legacy gives you extra space when folding the rear seats down if you find yourself with longer items that wouldn’t normally fit into a trunk. According to U.S. News, you get 15.1 cubic feet (with rear seats up) of storage, which doesn’t sound like much, but the Legacy can still handle four suitcases and a duffel bag, which puts it on par with its rivals.
Another cool feature is the hinges on the trunk door. These will slide into self-containing pockets. This allows drivers to fill up the trunk area and close the door without crushing any fragile items you may have stored there. It also helps when you’re hauling bulky items that need that extra inch of space.
With the Legacy’s excellent transmission, big cargo area, and optimal ride quality, it’s not hard to see why Consumer Reports gave it high scores and recommended it to consumers looking for a midsize sedan. Add to that, its relatively low price point ranges from $24,395 to $37,695. This is similar to the 2022 model, which was priced at $37,155 for a fully loaded version. Needless to say, you’ve got a winner with Subaru’s newest Legacy model.
Keyword: 3 Things Consumer Reports Likes About the 2023 Subaru Legacy