It’s easy to overlook the Subaru Legacy. In a market increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers, sedans like the Legacy often fade into the background. Sales figures certainly reflect this, with the Legacy selling a fraction of its popular sibling, the Outback, each year. However, Subaru hasn’t abandoned its sedan offering. Instead, they’ve doubled down, giving the 2023 Legacy the same thoughtful updates as the Outback, along with a refreshed look that’s undeniably more appealing. These changes significantly enhance the Legacy’s charm, particularly the new Sport trim, making it a surprisingly compelling and perhaps smarter alternative to the ubiquitous Subaru Outback wagon.
Legacy Sport: More Than Just a Badge
The 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport evokes the spirit of the beloved Legacy 2.5GT spec.B from Subaru’s past, a time when sporty sedans were more central to the brand’s identity. In previous years, the “Sport” designation on the Legacy was largely cosmetic, adding 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and some red interior accents. But for 2023, Subaru has injected genuine performance into the Sport trim. It now boasts a turbocharged engine and a more firmly tuned suspension, transforming it into a genuinely engaging sedan.
Engine and Performance: Turbocharged Fun
At the heart of the 2023 Legacy Sport lies Subaru’s 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine. This is the same robust powerplant found in the larger Subaru Ascent SUV and, notably, the latest generation WRX. This engine choice is a clear signal of the Sport trim’s performance intentions, echoing the spec.B models of the past. In the Legacy Sport configuration, this engine delivers a healthy 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. While it’s slightly less powerful than the WRX in terms of horsepower, it actually offers more torque, a difference that’s readily apparent and appreciated in everyday driving scenarios. Crucially, unlike the WRX which demands premium fuel, the Legacy Sport sips regular gasoline, a significant advantage in times of fluctuating and often high fuel prices. For those seeking Legacy Sport Reviews emphasizing performance, the engine is a standout feature.
Sport Sharp Mode & Handling: Engaging Driving Dynamics
While the 2023 Legacy Sport doesn’t offer the coveted six-speed manual transmission that enthusiasts might remember from the spec.B, it does incorporate Subaru’s intelligent S# (Sport Sharp) drive mode for its Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Borrowed from the current WRX, this mode dramatically alters the CVT’s behavior. While perhaps not quite as aggressively tuned as in the WRX, it represents a significant improvement over the standard CVT mode.
In S# mode (labeled as such on the button, though Subaru officially calls it Sport Sharp), the CVT mimics the gear changes of a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission, and arguably does it even better than many conventional automatics in its class. When not in Sport Sharp mode, drivers still benefit from the CVT’s inherent smoothness and fuel-efficient low highway RPMs. Subaru has also stiffened the suspension specifically for the Legacy Sport. It provides a noticeably firmer ride compared to other Legacy trims, yet retains that characteristic Subaru compliance. Think of it as a slightly more forgiving version of the WRX’s suspension setup, rather than an overly stiff Legacy. This tuning strikes a good balance, allowing the all-wheel-drive sedan to confidently tackle corners with enthusiasm while remaining comfortable enough for less-than-perfect road surfaces, gravel paths, and even light rally-style driving.
The Legacy Sport also receives visual enhancements, including a red accent stripe in the grille, distinctive black and gray two-tone cloth upholstery (note that leather seats shown in some images are from the Canadian GT trim, similar to the US Touring trim), and a power sunroof. Safety and convenience features are also enhanced with reverse automatic braking and Subaru’s DriverFocus distraction mitigation system, which monitors driver attentiveness. While the powertrain is responsive, some enthusiasts might desire a more pronounced exhaust note and turbocharger sound in the Sport trim. However, Subaru seems to have prioritized a refined and quiet cabin experience, even in this sportier variant, catering to the broader sedan market. The aftermarket, of course, provides options for those seeking a more auditory performance experience.
2023 Legacy Sport Driving Impressions
From behind the wheel, the Legacy Sport’s powertrain feels immediately responsive, especially when engaging the S# mode. Torque delivery is strong and readily available, propelling the sedan with satisfying urgency. While the engine can become somewhat vocal at wide-open throttle and higher RPMs, the S# mode effectively manages gear ratios to prevent engine droning. In typical driving scenarios, the engine noise is well-contained.
On the highway, the Legacy Sport excels in cabin quietness. Wind noise is minimal, with tire noise being the most noticeable sound intrusion, yet even then, the car maintains a big-sedan level of quietness, even in gusty wind conditions. The Legacy feels remarkably stable at highway speeds. However, the lane-centering assist feature within the EyeSight system exhibited some sensitivity to strong crosswinds, occasionally causing the car to oscillate slightly within its lane.
Smooth Infotainment, but Not Stylish
Subaru’s large, vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system dominates the center console and controls a wide array of vehicle functions, including climate and audio. The system utilizes large on-screen graphics, which can give the impression of lower resolution text and buttons. However, when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the screen’s clarity is evident, suggesting the large graphics are a deliberate design choice by Subaru’s UX team. This design likely prioritizes ease of use for drivers who prefer not to strain their eyes, although younger buyers might find the interface less visually modern compared to some competitors.
Regardless of personal aesthetic preferences, the infotainment system is undeniably quick and responsive in operation. Climate and seat heating controls react promptly, with dedicated climate buttons providing access to a more detailed on-screen display. A customizable section at the top of the screen allows drivers to select information displays such as weather, vehicle gauges, or fuel economy. Speaking of fuel economy, the turbocharged Legacy Sport is rated at 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. In real-world testing, figures around 27 mpg were observed. While these figures are competitive for an all-wheel-drive sedan, they are naturally surpassed by most front-wheel-drive models. However, none of those front-drive competitors can offer the “maxi-WRX” driving experience of the Legacy Sport.
Legacy vs. Outback: The Sedan Advantage
The Subaru Legacy shares its fundamental architecture with the Outback, essentially being an Outback with a traditional trunk instead of a hatchback. Consequently, it inherits many of the Outback’s appealing qualities, including a spacious and airy cabin and exceptionally comfortable seats. The US-spec Legacy Premium trim features the same plush seats as tested in the review, offering soft cushioning, ample support, and an adjustable thigh bolster, ensuring comfortable seating for a wide range of body types. These seats are akin to comfortable home recliners, enhanced with heating and ventilation.
The Legacy Sport trim itself comes with cloth seats, forgoing some of the premium creature comforts found in higher trims.
Cargo and Practicality: Trunk Space and Versatility
The primary reason buyers often gravitate towards the Outback over the Legacy is likely cargo capacity. The Legacy offers a generous 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, and includes split-folding rear seats to accommodate longer items. This is substantial for a sedan, but pales in comparison to the Outback’s 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Subaru does offer accessory crossbars and Thule cargo boxes to increase cargo capacity for the Legacy, but the roof bar system has a limited weight capacity of 88 pounds.
Pricing and Value: A Cost-Effective Sports Sedan
The price difference between the Legacy and Outback is more significant than the cargo volume disparity suggests. The base Subaru Legacy starts at a considerably lower price point, making it thousands of dollars more affordable than the Outback. In fact, the Legacy is even priced competitively against front-wheel-drive sedans like the Honda Accord, despite offering standard all-wheel drive. The Sport trim of the Legacy, equipped with the 2.4-liter turbo-four engine, further enhances its value proposition, positioning this “grown-up WRX” at a price point only slightly above the actual WRX. For those considering legacy sport reviews based on value, the pricing is a strong point.
Conclusion: The Underrated 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport
The 2023 Subaru Legacy offers compelling advantages over the Outback beyond just price. It’s approximately 200 pounds lighter, achieves better fuel economy, and possesses a degree of understated style in a market saturated with look-alike wagons. The sedan delivers a genuinely enjoyable driving experience, coupled with exceptional spaciousness and comfort. And, importantly, there’s the undeniable price advantage. In a shrinking market segment, the 2023 Subaru Legacy stands out as one of the last remaining large sedans. But it’s not just a default choice due to limited options; the Legacy earns its place as a great choice by offering a compelling and well-rounded package of features and everyday usability. For potential buyers researching legacy sport reviews, the 2023 Subaru Legacy Sport warrants serious consideration, especially for those seeking a practical yet engaging sedan that won’t break the bank.
