In an era dominated by SUVs and trucks, opting for a mid-size sedan might seem unconventional. Recent data indicates that nearly 75% of new vehicle sales are SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, a trend showing no signs of slowing down. So, when the time arrived to replace my cherished WRX, I faced a dilemma: should I stay true to my sedan preference amidst a shrinking market, or join the SUV craze? While SUVs offer undeniable practicality, the thought of abandoning sedans altogether was unsettling.
My search ultimately led me to the Subaru dealership, where I narrowed my choices to the 2022 Legacy and Outback. Built on the same platform, sharing the same engine and powertrain, the comparison was straightforward. Both offered similar levels of refinement, features, technology, and performance, differing primarily in practicality and driving dynamics.
Subaru Legacy versus SUV comparison. Choosing between a sedan and an SUV for a daily driver, highlighting the Subaru Legacy as a sedan option.
The Legacy’s sharper handling resonated more with my WRX driving experience, yet its added weight and lack of a manual transmission provided a driving experience that was merely adequate. However, choosing a more performance-oriented sport sedan would mean sacrificing comfort and everyday usability – essential factors for a shared family vehicle.
Subaru Legacy Touring XT purchase day at the dealership. The author taking delivery of their new 2022 Subaru Legacy XT Touring sedan.
Ultimately, I chose the 2022 Legacy Touring XT, which served as my part-time daily driver and family car backup for our 2017 Outback over the next two years. My wife and I used it for almost everything: grocery trips, date nights, family outings, home improvement projects, and the occasional spirited drive. However, as our daughter grew and space seemed to shrink, we decided to trade the Legacy for a larger, more practical family vehicle.
Looking back after 16,000 miles, how did the Legacy perform? Do I regret not choosing the Outback? What were the beloved and frustrating quirks and features of the Legacy?
Let’s delve into the details.
Exterior Styling
One of the notable aspects of owning the WRX was the constant attention it garnered. Thumbs up, waves, and conversations in parking lots and gas stations were commonplace. My wife was thrilled! (sarcasm intended).
In contrast, the Legacy is the epitome of understated and inconspicuous. Even among fellow Legacy owners, anonymity was guaranteed everywhere I went.
Subaru Legacy blending in with its surroundings. A Crystal White Pearl Subaru Legacy parked in a suburban environment, emphasizing its understated design and ability to blend in.
Despite its initial anonymity, the Legacy’s exterior design grew on me over time. I began to appreciate the subtle nuances of its styling. The taillights are particularly striking at night, and combined with the full-LED exterior lighting, they exude a premium aesthetic. Body lines and creases, often unnoticed, become more pronounced in certain lighting conditions, lending the Legacy a more assertive stance.
Credit to Subaru for incorporating genuine exhaust tips on the 2022 Legacy!
While I believe the XT model would benefit from a WRX-inspired hood scoop, a salesperson mentioned that Legacy and Outback customers generally found them unappealing. Consequently, Subaru opted to enhance the hood to facilitate airflow to the top-mounted intercooler via the front grille. Thanks to the low-profile Boxer engine, this design choice has a negligible impact on visibility.
Regarding questionable design elements: the chrome trim was a constant annoyance. However, I eventually addressed this by blacking out all the chrome elements, resulting in a more aggressive exterior appearance. Fortunately, Subaru reduced the amount of chrome in subsequent model years, suggesting this trend might be fading. Praise be! 🙏
Chrome trim delete on Subaru Legacy door mirror. Close-up of the door mirror of a Subaru Legacy with the chrome trim blacked out using vinyl wrap, improving the car's aesthetic.
The XPEL Ultimate paint protection film installed on the front end performed exceptionally well, preserving the Crystal White Pearl paint in pristine condition, even through harsh winters. One unexpected drawback of the PPF was the increased accumulation of dirt and minor peeling at the film’s edges. It’s unclear if this is more noticeable on white paint compared to the dark blue of my WRX, but the film’s protective function remained flawless.
Overall, the Subaru Legacy’s exterior is generally understated and somewhat unremarkable. There’s little to hint at the performance capabilities beneath the hood, but as I discovered, the XT variant is surprisingly capable.
Engine and Driving Performance
To be clear, the Subaru Legacy XT is not a sport sedan. However, it earnestly attempts to emulate the spirit of its sportier sibling, the WRX.
Subaru Legacy XT 2.4L Boxer engine. A detailed view of the 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer 4-cylinder FA24 engine in the Subaru Legacy XT, highlighting Subaru's engineering.
The 2.4L turbocharged Boxer 4-cylinder engine powering the Legacy XT was initially developed for the Subaru Ascent, launched in 2019. This means Subaru has had several years to refine and resolve any significant issues, resulting in a remarkably refined and surprisingly energetic performance in both the Legacy and Outback.
This engine produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, figures comparable to my WRX’s output before any modifications. However, unlike the WRX’s six-speed manual transmission, the Legacy directs power to the wheels via a high-torque version of Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Before dismissing it due to CVT skepticism, please consider this:
Subaru’s manual transmissions are… adequate at best. Compared to my Fiesta ST, the WRX’s shifter was a significant downgrade. The ST could be shifted effortlessly, while the WRX’s clutch was considerably less forgiving (and prone to issues), and the shifter often required extra force to engage gears.
CVTs have advanced considerably since their introduction, and most manufacturers have effectively tuned them to minimize the “rubber band” sensation and droning acceleration. Subaru excels with their CVTs, and I’ve actually grown to prefer them over traditional automatics in many situations.
Subaru Legacy XT Lineartronic CVT. A close-up of the high-torque Lineartronic CVT in the Subaru Legacy XT, emphasizing its smooth operation and contribution to the driving experience.
The Legacy XT’s CVT is exceptionally smooth and refined, and it responds reasonably well to spirited driving. Pulling the left paddle shifter on the steering wheel forces the transmission into a lower “gear,” maintaining the engine in its power band for enhanced passing or merging. While the paddle shifters aren’t lightning-fast, they function effectively if you anticipate their response – signaling your desire for higher revs in advance.
As mentioned in my initial impressions, the Legacy offers more acceleration than one might expect. With no physical gears to shift through, power delivery is seamless. The CVT effectively keeps the engine in the optimal rev range, occasionally simulating gear shifts and reducing revs as speed increases. This adds a touch of drama to the experience and significantly reduces the typical CVT engine drone.
In summary, the Legacy XT is a surprisingly enjoyable daily driver. It excels in everyday driving but can also deliver a burst of speed when needed. However, pushing it hard into corners quickly reveals its limitations compared to a true sport sedan.
While I occasionally missed the tighter handling of my WRX and the engagement of a manual gearbox, I never resented the Legacy. My CVT apprehension never materialized because, for my intended use, it performed as advertised.
Interior Comfort and Design
The interior of the Subaru Legacy was truly the deciding factor for me. Upon entering the Touring XT trim, my immediate reaction was, “Wow, this is a Subaru?” And I wasn’t alone. Over two years, nearly every passenger commented on the interior quality, especially the leather seats.
Subaru Legacy XT Touring luxurious interior. Showcasing the luxurious brown nappa leather interior of the Subaru Legacy XT Touring, highlighting the premium materials and design.
For those familiar with older Subarus, opening the door of a new Legacy or Outback is a revelation. The door has a substantial weight, and it’s evident that the Subaru Global Platform results in a significantly more refined vehicle overall.
Inside, the brown nappa leather covering the seats, doors, and dashboard is immediately striking. I quickly became enamored with the contrast of the brown leather against the white exterior paint and appreciated it throughout my ownership.
The seats themselves are excellent, offering a superb balance of support and comfort. The extendable thigh bolster on the driver’s seat was an unexpected but welcome feature. As a 6’2” individual, it made a noticeable difference on long journeys. With ample adjustability and even ventilation (another first for me), long highway drives were effortless.
The brown leather extends to the door panels and dashboard, creating a luxurious and inviting space for front occupants. Contrasting black soft-touch materials are used on most key touch points, including the upper door trims, transitioning to more durable plastics lower down.
Subaru Legacy XT Touring dashboard material mix. A detailed look at the dashboard of the Subaru Legacy XT Touring, showing the combination of brown leather, soft-touch black materials, and satin chrome accents.
Satin chrome plastic accents around the vents, door handles, and center stack effectively break up the brown and black color scheme. The steering wheel is wrapped in exceptionally soft, high-quality leather, superior to any other Subaru I’ve driven, and it’s heated – a welcome feature during cold winters.
The electroluminescent gauges are wonderfully simple and legible in both bright sunlight and complete darkness. The central LCD display provides essential information, and the digital speedometer is particularly appreciated, especially after becoming accustomed to it in our Outback.
Subaru Legacy XT gauges and instrument cluster. Close-up of the electroluminescent gauges of the Subaru Legacy XT, emphasizing their simplicity, clarity, and ease of reading in all lighting conditions.
Interior storage is a slight weakness in the Legacy. There aren’t many convenient places to store items. The door pockets are oddly shaped and difficult to access, and the cupholders struggle to accommodate taller water bottles.
The center console has a small, awkwardly positioned area in front of the shifter for a smartphone, making it difficult to access while driving. Once your phone is placed there, retrieving it requires stopping.
The passenger side offers a few shallow cubbies, but we consistently struggled to find sufficient space for phones, keys, bottles, sunglasses, and other items during trips.
The rear seats are excellent, treating passengers like VIPs with dedicated climate vents and heated seats. Legroom is abundant for a vehicle in this class, which proved invaluable when installing our daughter’s rear-facing car seat. We could securely fit the car seat and still accommodate a front passenger without excessive discomfort. Taller individuals might find it slightly cramped, but it’s manageable when necessary.
Subaru Legacy XT spacious rear seats. Illustrating the spacious rear seating area of the Subaru Legacy XT, highlighting the legroom and passenger comfort features like dedicated climate vents.
The only notable omission in the rear is integrated sunshades. Regardless of the window coverings I tried (magnetic, suction cup, etc.), none effectively covered the Legacy’s uniquely shaped rear window. As someone who frequently uses the car for family transport, integrated shades would have significantly improved comfort for our child during longer trips and naps.
Overall, the Legacy XT’s interior is a pleasant environment. With excellent build quality, premium materials, and numerous amenities (detailed further below), the interior is primarily let down by limited storage and some questionable ergonomic choices. It functions well as a daily family vehicle, and it’s clear Subaru has made substantial progress in interior design and quality.
Technology and Features
The Legacy offers a wealth of technology and advanced safety features, some of which I had become familiar with in our Outback, such as the EyeSight system.
EyeSight is Subaru’s driver assistance and collision avoidance system, utilizing dual cameras mounted near the rearview mirror to manage adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking.
Subaru Legacy EyeSight driver assistance system. A view of the Subaru Legacy's EyeSight driver assistance system cameras mounted near the rearview mirror, explaining its role in safety and convenience features.
My 2022 Legacy lacks the “latest” EyeSight system (upgraded in 2023 with smaller, more advanced cameras), but it performed admirably during my ownership. Similar to our Outback, the adaptive cruise control is highly accurate and remained functional in various weather conditions. I am consistently impressed by its reliable performance, especially considering it operates without radar sensors.
However, another (newer) safety feature – the driver monitoring system – was a constant source of frustration and felt largely ineffective. I discussed this in more detail in my infotainment review, but briefly, the driver monitoring system is excessively sensitive and often proved more distracting than helpful.
Which brings us to the elephant in the interior: the infotainment system.
Subaru latest generation infotainment system. The Subaru infotainment system touchscreen display in the Legacy, highlighting its features and user interface.
I’ve already written an extensive post detailing the pros and cons of the new Subaru infotainment system, but in short: it makes an otherwise excellent car incredibly frustrating to use daily.
As almost everything is controlled via the central touchscreen, it’s impossible to ignore. The system’s laggy and unpredictable nature is highly distracting to operate while driving. Combined with the overly zealous driver monitoring system constantly reminding you to keep your eyes on the road, it can be infuriating to live with.
Another annoyance was the auto-adjusting driver’s seat. Upon entering the car, facial recognition can load your saved settings for mirror and seat position – a convenient feature! However, when adjusting from my wife’s driving position (higher and closer than mine), the seat would always move forward before moving downward. This meant that every time I entered the car, the seat would jam my knees into the steering column! Not enjoyable!
However, the Legacy excels in other technological aspects. For instance, the standard steering-responsive LED headlights are exceptional, making a significant difference in areas with winding roads or tight highway on-ramps like mine.
Subaru Legacy XT steering responsive LED headlights. The standard LED steering responsive headlights on the Subaru Legacy XT, demonstrating their effectiveness in illuminating corners and improving nighttime visibility.
The 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is also fantastic. My expectations for a branded “upgrade” were low, but I was pleasantly surprised. It delivers strong bass and clear highs, although it can become slightly overwhelmed and distort at higher volumes – it performs best at medium volume levels.
Overall, the Legacy Touring XT offers a competitive, though not class-leading, level of technology for its price point. While some features like a 360-degree camera would be welcome at this trim level, it’s a very functional package and a significant advancement from older Subaru models.
Final Verdict
When it was time to trade in my WRX, I knew it would be a tough act to follow. As a fun-to-drive, versatile daily driver, the WRX is genuinely hard to surpass. I explored numerous options but ultimately chose the Legacy because it felt like a “grown-up” WRX in many ways, with added luxury features.
Author's 2018 Subaru WRX. A nostalgic image of the author's previous 2018 Subaru WRX, emphasizing its sporty nature and the transition to the more mature Legacy.
It wasn’t a purely emotional purchase like the Fiesta ST or WRX, but I never regretted owning it during the two years I drove it. The Legacy reliably transported my wife, daughter, and dog in comfort and safety. While it might not offer an “exceptional” driving experience, it outperforms expectations in terms of performance and excels in almost every other area.
Handing in the keys a few months ago didn’t evoke the same sadness as when I parted with my WRX – it simply wasn’t as “special” to me. However, I am saddened to learn that Subaru will discontinue Legacy production after 2025!
For various reasons, sedan popularity is waning – and I recognize the advantages of a lifted SUV like our Outback! But my childhood memories are filled with sedans and hatchbacks, making it disheartening to think they might disappear.
I genuinely enjoyed the last two years with the Legacy, and while its replacement isn’t a sedan (or a Subaru!), I am currently enjoying the Outback as my new daily driver! Stay tuned for an upcoming post about our new family car!
