Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i

[Autos_Editor]

Peter Bleakney gets to experience the Legacy's signature AWD mastery in cold, snowy weather, but otherwise is not impressed.

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[Snowman]

Subaru NEEDS to do something with the Legacy. Back in the early to mid 2000's it was such a cool car.

[Apok]

I agree with you on that one Snowman. The previous generation looked better from both the outside and the inside. My parents have an 07 2.5i and while they love it and will likely buy a new Subaru to replace it, this Legacy won't be the model they will choose.

Completely bland car. I don't see many on the roads here and they sell a pretty good number of Subarus here.

[OliverD]

These days, the Legacy is damn near as boring as the Camry, especially now that they've dropped the GT.

[redman]

To long before Subbie changes engines or transmissions for today's market.
To inspire progression and positive change they have to move quicker especially with drive trains.

Don't be shy Subbie, give us the diesel and 6spd auto across the board similar to Australia.

[mixmanmash]

I agree with everyone's comments.  I loved the old GT, especially in wagon form.

[Spheric]

Almost the entire Subaru line is borderline missionary position - just keep staring at the ceiling waiting for something to happen.

The Legacy could almost pass for a Suzuki - boring and somewhat anonymous.

[SaskSpecV]

I'll agree with the other posters that this gen Legacy is pretty bland (previous gen was much sharper to my eyes), and the powertrain/specs are pedestrian (except for AWD of course). 

And the Legacy certainly isn't selling well for Subaru - but they are doing REALLY well (by Subaru standards, anyway) with some of their other vehicles (Impreza, Forester, Outback).  And none of those vehicles have class-leading powertrains either - but they are all priced well relative to the competition.  That has been the Legacy's downfall for a long time - it was priced $2000 above comparable midsize sedans.  "But it comes with AWD, which is worth $2000..." says the Subaru salesman, "so it's really priced the same".  But the powertrain, interior quality, and feature list lagged behind (at least some) of the competition - so you'd be paying $2000 more for AWD, but getting a "cheaper" feeling vehicle.  At least the new pricing will minimize the difference.

I'm surprised that more MNFRs don't affer AWD on their midsize sedans - maybe they look at Subaru and see their lack of success in the midsize market?  Or is this market too price-conscious?  Or do they not want to cannabalize sales from their more profitable AWD crossovers?

[ChaosphereIX]

I'll agree with the other posters that this gen Legacy is pretty bland (previous gen was much sharper to my eyes), and the powertrain/specs are pedestrian (except for AWD of course). 

And the Legacy certainly isn't selling well for Subaru - but they are doing REALLY well (by Subaru standards, anyway) with some of their other vehicles (Impreza, Forester, Outback).  And none of those vehicles have class-leading powertrains either - but they are all priced well relative to the competition.  That has been the Legacy's downfall for a long time - it was priced $2000 above comparable midsize sedans.  "But it comes with AWD, which is worth $2000..." says the Subaru salesman, "so it's really priced the same".  But the powertrain, interior quality, and feature list lagged behind (at least some) of the competition - so you'd be paying $2000 more for AWD, but getting a "cheaper" feeling vehicle.  At least the new pricing will minimize the difference.

I'm surprised that more MNFRs don't affer AWD on their midsize sedans - maybe they look at Subaru and see their lack of success in the midsize market?  Or is this market too price-conscious?  Or do they not want to cannabalize sales from their more profitable AWD crossovers?

as a car salesman, your last statement holds true. Keep the precious AWD, which everyone wants/is interested in these days, in the higher margin cars = more money for me.

oh and this car is as bland as white bread and butter...Subaru have lost their mojo so completely it isnt funny...im sad actually. They used to be the "Japanese Audi" now they are "AWD Toyota". Sad. Even the Forester has lost its cool hood scoop - and I dont buy for a minute that Subaru polled customers which said they didnt like the scoop. I know FMIC are more efficient than top mounts, but still it was cool...

[hemusbull]

Middle age crisis! After creating a reputation of exstraordinary 4 wheel drive with highest reliability and resale valuein 90s, competing fellow Japanese benchmarks like Honda and Toyota, Subi just like them at certain times has a big lack of exciting new products. May be it needs again the "Crocodile" Dundee?

[TheHire]

I actually just drove a 2006 2.5 GT with a 5-speed this past week. It belongs to a friend and is getting up there in mileage. After driving the exact car in this review, I couldn't help but sigh at the loss of fun from the previous generation to this one.

[Solstice2006]

A few years ago when I was looking at the Mazda6 Sport, I was considering the Subaru Legacy Wagon (like the one in the picture of Snowman's post).  Was a little concerned about the reliability, head gasket issue.  And the used ones were pretty expensive...If I really needed the AWD, I may have got like an extended warranty of something, but it wasn't a top priortiy.  So I went with the Mazda6.  But really liked the generation legacy.  The Outback caught my eye when I purchased the Mazda5 in the summer, but I found it was a little too expensive, given then interior and content. 

[Fobroader]

Drove one of these bad boys way back when, 5 spd manual, turbo, about 160-170horses, boy was it a hoot to drive.....unfortunately I was a little scared of a high tech, turbo, awd car back then and didnt go through with the deal. 

[Canadiain]

Those "undersized 16-inch alloys" are going to save you a ton when it comes to putting winter rubber on.


Mind you, I have a 2007 wagon, and its better looking.  Sadly as the only Sube wagon now is the jumped up outback I probably wont be replacing it like for like.  Bring back the legacy wagon Subaru!  And bring over the turbo diesel too!

[Northernridge]

Good review and I agree with others here. This should be a watch-out for Subaru, the 2013 Legacy demonstrates how easy it is for a car maker to trip into the abyss of irrelevance. I don't think Subie can take on the other Japanese brands head-to-head...they will never out-Toyota Toyota for example. They have to (and have been) charting their own direction. I'm always interested when a car maker tries to extend its traditional customers with a model redesign – I think Subaru tried mainstream with this Legacy and a different flavour would be Chevy trying to extend beyond traditional buyers with the new Corvette.

The most telling part of this review was that the Legacy was lumped in with other mid-sized sedans.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Almost the entire Subaru line is borderline missionary position

 

I too wish Subaru injected more sport and personality into the Legacy, and their line-up in general.
Or at least cater to mainstream while still offering awesome.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

They used to be the "Japanese Audi" now they are "AWD Toyota". Sad. Even the Forester has lost its cool hood scoop - and I dont buy for a minute that Subaru polled customers which said they didnt like the scoop. I know FMIC are more efficient than top mounts, but still it was cool...

Ditto that. Will miss the scoop, I thought it was very distinctive with a bit of attitude.

[Northernridge]

Almost the entire Subaru line is borderline missionary position

 

+1 Autos.ca could make an entire rating system based on sexual acts...for example...

I better stop typing now.

[cruzzer]

I certainly don't mind the looks. I'm happy that Subaru Canada is slowly bringing the prices more in line with the US with each passing year (but with a stronger dollar I wish they'd do it quicker!). I'm thankful a six speed manual is offered but less pleased that I can't get a power driver's seat without a CVT. In general, Subaru has gone mainstream which is a mixed blessing for those who preferred the more quirky ways of the old Subaru. But, if you live in areas where the winter driving can be dangerous, there are few substitutes for Sube's superb AWD.

[ChaosphereIX]

I certainly don't mind the looks. I'm happy that Subaru Canada is slowly bringing the prices more in line with the US with each passing year (but with a stronger dollar I wish they'd do it quicker!). I'm thankful a six speed manual is offered but less pleased that I can't get a power driver's seat without a CVT. In general, Subaru has gone mainstream which is a mixed blessing for those who preferred the more quirky ways of the old Subaru. But, if you live in areas where the winter driving can be dangerous, there are few substitutes for Sube's superb AWD.

Quattro. Or even modern Haldex systems [Volvo, etc. etc.] are really not that bad for 99% of the winter driving people do.