The 2013 Subaru Legacy might not catch your eye as it passes you by on the freeway. It might not immediately strike you as a prime option in the sport sedan market. But, you might want to take a second to consider exactly why it’s passing you by on that freeway – and why it’s driver is smiling while reading his car loan statement.
After a weeklong test drive of the latest Legacy, it’s clear that the car may not capture the car lover’s imagination with its styling and history – though its price and feature set should land it on the list for anyone looking to buy a reasonable sport sedan.
Once you’re behind the wheel, there’s a weightiness and solidity to the Legacy, but that’s common for Subaru models. They’re traditionally tough, sturdy cars hiding behind an ambiance of urban intellectual responsibility. While the Impreza is a rally car fixture due to its brilliant handling, most other Subarus look to be remembered mainly for their practicality and reliability. You can drop the Legacy in that latter category there, and that’s not a bad thing.
The steering in the Subaru Legacy feels heavy at lower speeds or when parking. But, the value of that steering becomes clear at speed. There’s so little give in that wheel under your hands that maneuvering at even heightened freeway speeds is as comfortable and reliable as a good family dog or well-worn set of boots.
Pulling in mpg maxing out around around 30, the Legacy serves up 175 horsepower out of its fuel-injected, four cylinder engine. Such numbers put it in competition with affordable sedans – i.e., four dour cars not wearing badges from Germany.
However, an impressive suite of safety features and a complete in-car technology package (navigation, multi-function sound system, driver’s aids, etc.) show that Subaru really wants your attention. With adequate power, confident handling, and attractive technology sweet, and dedicated safety features, the 2013 Subaru Legacy is a bargain starting at around $21,000.
If there is an area where the legacy fall short, it must be in the styling department. This is not a striking car to look at as it resides in fairly basic lines and the standard Subaru grill work. It’s not an ugly car, but you might be hard-pressed to pick it out of a lineup against other similarly priced rides in its class.
Many of the cars in that class can be less than thrilling on the outside. Whether it’s the Legacy or rivals like the Camry, Elantra or Mazda six, the traditional styling on such a sedan is presentable but not overly eye-catching. I’d love to see a little bit of the attitude and flare of that Impreza rally hatchback sneaking into this sedan. I know it’s a silly long shot, but there it is.
To break out of the bland affordable sedan pack, the Legacy successfully relies on its suite of interior functions and that sub-$30,000 price range to warrant your business.
