The 260-hp and 277 lb-ft of torque engine shares a platform with the Ascent and Outback XT.
- Subaru restyles and rearranges trim levels for the mid-sized Legacy sedan in 2023.
- The Sport trim Legacy will now pack the 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four found in the Ascent and Outback XT.
- A redesigned front fascia and LED headlight system will be updated across all trim levels.
Subaru has revamped the Legacy for 2023, with a number of stylistic changes and one notable mechanical addition. Sport trim Legacies, which previously housed the natural aspirated 2.5-liter flat-four, will now come standard with the torquey 2.4-liter turbocharged offering. Putting down 260 hp at 5600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque from 2000-4800 rpm, the forced-induction boxer engine is tuned for an everyday usable shove of torque at the bottom end of the powerband.
With five trim levels for the 2023 model year, only the Sport, Limited, and Touring XT trims will be equipped with the turbocharged power plant. Wallets can rejoice, however, as performance-oriented Legacy buyers were previously relegated to the upper echelons of the two XT trim levels. Though Subaru hasn’t released pricing for their 2023 models, the Sport trim is sure to provide a cost accessible entry to faster freeway merging.
Subaru continues to use CVTs for the majority of their lineup, and the Legacy is no different. All Legacy trims are equipped with the Lineartronic CVT that features an eight-speed manual mode. Distinctions in gas mileage are slight, with the 2.4-liter turbo estimating 24/32 mpg city/highway and the 2.5-liter claiming 27/35 mpg city/highway. Subaru notes that the naturally aspirated model can travel up to 600 miles on a single tank with its 18.5 gallon fuel capacity.
Subaru’s reputation is one that rides on safety and it expects the Legacy to uphold the bar they’ve set. The 2022 Subaru Legacy earned a Top Safety Pick Plus from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the fundamental chassis of the Legacy remains the same for 2023. The IIHS is adding two additional tests to the 2023 Top Safety Pick Plus qualifications, including an increased speed side impact and nighttime pedestrian avoidance test.
While we would love to see a six-speed manual option, the Legacy is decidedly not an enthusiast-targeted car. That said, a Sport trim specific suspension and the addition of the 2.4-liter turbocharged heart may win over buyers looking for a safe and practical sedan with spirited driving hardware.
Keyword: Subaru Legacy Sport Gains a Turbo Engine for 2023