2013 Subaru Legacy Total Car Score Analysis

The 2013 Subaru Legacy earns an above average Total Car Score for the Midsize Sedans & Wagons segment.  
 
From the outside, changes to the Legacy for 2013 are limited to a face-lifted grille, headlights and front bumper. Under the skin is where the real news is.  
 
The 3.6-liter flat-six motor carries over, but the 2.5-liter flat-four is all new, with higher peak output, a broader torque range and improved fuel economy -- up to 32 mpg on the highway, says Subaru. (The EPA has not yet officially given its ratings.)  
 
Refinements to the chassis have improved the car’s ride and handling qualities, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) has been reworked to be quieter and more responsive.  
 
On the safety front, Subaru is introducing its EyeSight driver assist system, which uses a stereo camera (rather than radar) to provide input for the car’s Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure Warning systems. Under the right circumstances, EyeSight will bring the Legacy to a complete stop if it detects objects or pedestrians in front of the car.  
 
The Subaru Legacy has been around for two and a half decades now; the latest generation -- its fifth -- made its debut three years ago. That puts the freshened 2013 Subaru Legacy about half-way through its production cycle, so we don’t expect major changes for another two to three years.

2013 Subaru Legacy Model Line-Up

The 2013 Subaru Legacy is a four-door, five-passenger all-wheel-drive sedan offered with a choice of two engines and in base, Premium and Limited trim levels.  
 
Legacy 2.5i models are powered by a new 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine producing 173 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, output greater than the engine it replaces. The 2.5 can be paired with either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT).  
 
Legacy 3.6R models have a 3.6-liter flat-six under the hood. It sends 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque to a conventional five-speed automatic transmission.  
 
The base Legacy features standard equipment that includes Bluetooth, a USB port, steering wheel switches for the audio and cruise control systems, and automatic headlights.  
 
Premium models are outfitted with the CVT as standard equipment and also receive a power driver’s seat and 17-inch alloy wheels. Options for the Premium Legacys include an all-weather package (with heated seats and a windshield wiper de-icer), a power moonroof and a Harman/Kardon premium sound system.  
 
The top-tier Limited models have leather upholstery, automatic climate control, the Harman/Kardon audio system, and the option of a navigation system with backup camera.  
 
New for 2013 is Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist system, which uses a stereo camera to send input to Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning systems.  
 
The EPA has not released fuel economy data on the 2013 Subaru Legacy, but the auto maker expects the 2.5i with CVT to achieve 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined.

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