2024 Subaru Legacy, but that’s not because it’s one of Subaru’s only non-SUV offerings—it’s because its bland road manners give us little to fondly remember. Based on the same platform as the popular Outback station wagon, the Legacy can be had with either a naturally-aspirated or turbocharged four-cylinder, each connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Legacy is at least generously equipped with standard driver assistance and infotainment features, but so is every other modern family sedan. If your automotive use case only calls for comfortable commutes and demure styling, the Legacy delivers exactly that, but we much prefer the more joyful driving demeanor of the Honda Accord, the styling of the Kia K5, and the fuel efficiency of the Toyota Camry.
What’s New for 2024?
The Sport trim gains an upgraded Harman/Kardon stereo system as standard equipment, but otherwise, the Legacy is unchanged for the 2024 model year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2024 Subaru Legacy starts at $26,015 and goes up to $39,315 depending on the trim and options.The midrange Sport offers a good balance between price and features. Not only does it come with the more powerful 260-hp turbocharged four-cylinder it also adds a bunch of desirable equipment. The Sport comes standard with 18-inch wheels, a power sunroof, LED fog lamps, a rear spoiler, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry with push-button start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, rear automated emergency braking, and cloth upholstery with red contrast stitching.
| Specification | Legacy Sport | Legacy Touring XT |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass sedan | Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass sedan |
| Price (As Tested) | $30,090 (Base: $27,845) | $36,795 (Base: $36,795) |
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine is standard and makes 182 horsepower. Sport and Touring XT models come with a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. All Legacy models have all-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). We’ve tested both engines now, and what a difference a turbo makes. The Touring XT managed to hit 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds while the non-turbo Sport required a lackluster 8.0 seconds. When we tested the Sport with the optional turbo engine, it outperformed the Touring XT with a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.7 seconds. Regardless of which engine is under the hood, the new Legacy boasts slightly improved handling dynamics over the last generation and a similarly compliant ride.
| Specification | Legacy Sport | Legacy Touring XT |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Type | DOHC 16-valve flat-4, NA | Turbocharged DOHC 16-valve flat-4 |
| Displacement | 152 cu in / 2498 cc | 146 cu in / 2387 cc |
| Power | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm | 260 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT (continuously variable) | CVT (continuously variable) |
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Though the measurements may not show it, the Legacy’s cabin feels much bigger than the last generation’s, particularly in the back. While its design is still on the dowdy side, the Legacy’s interior is functional, with well-chosen materials throughout. Cloth upholstery is standard, but the high-end Limited and Touring models have leather. The front seats are well-sculpted and comfortable, and the upper trims feature a manual thigh extension for the driver’s seat, a boon to long-legged buyers. The trunk is generously sized and held eight carry-on suitcases in our testing, one more than the Accord and two more than the Camry.
| Specification | Legacy Sport | Legacy Touring XT |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in | 108.3 in |
| Length | 190.6 in | 190.6 in |
| Width | 72.4 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 59.1 in | 59.1 in |
| Passenger Volume | 103 cu ft | 103 cu ft |
| Trunk Volume | 15 cu ft | 15 cu ft |
| Curb Weight | 3540 lb | 3781 lb |
Infotainment and Connectivity
Base models use a version of Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system that features dual 7.0-inch displays. The one-rung-up Premium model has the company’s latest 11.6-inch vertically oriented infotainment display that looks as if it had been borrowed from a Volvo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration come standard. And while in-dash navigation is only standard on the Limited and Touring XT models, it’s optional on all but the base Legacy. A four-speaker stereo is standard, the Premium trim comes with a six-speaker setup, and anything above that gets a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Subaru’s standard warranty package is basic but matches what most rivals in this class offer. The Hyundai Sonata and the Kia K5 both provide longer warranty terms, and the Camry comes with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
