{"id":1299,"date":"2013-02-11T21:07:25","date_gmt":"2013-02-12T04:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rickdebruhl.com\/?p=1299"},"modified":"2013-02-11T21:07:25","modified_gmt":"2013-02-12T04:07:25","slug":"road-test-2013-subaru-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carcentrick.com\/?p=1299","title":{"rendered":"Road Test: 2013 Subaru Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2013 Subaru Legacy is like that kid who comes from a quirky family and is now trying hard to blend in with the popular crowd.<\/p>\n

\"2013<\/a>
2013 Subaru Legacy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let’s face it, Subarus have always been just a bit different. Their styling never followed the pack.\u00a0Always\u00a0all-wheel drive gave Subaru\u00a0a unique niche.\u00a0Their horizontally opposed engine was always different. But being slightly different is apparently exactly what Subaru owners have wanted. Their brand loyalty has always been strong. Last year they led all car owners who would recommend their brand to a friend (read full ranking here<\/a>).\u00a0They can even get a Subaru Badge of Loyalty<\/a> that shows how many\u00a0they’ve owned and how\u00a0they use\u00a0their car.<\/p>\n

\"2013<\/a>
2013 Subaru\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a02013 Malibu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But the Legacy is a seriously mainstream mid-sized sedan. In fact, when you compare its specs to the Chevrolet Malibu, it’s amazing how similar the two cars are on paper.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Legacy\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Malibu<\/strong>
\nWheelbase\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0108.3″\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0107.8″
\nFront Track\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a061.6″\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 62.2″
\nLength\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0187.2″\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 191.5″
\nFront Headroom\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a040.3″\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 39″
\nFront Leg Room\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a043″\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 42.1″
\nRear Leg Room\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 37.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 36.8″<\/p>\n

Interestingly, the Legacy actually has slightly more head and leg room than the Malibu.<\/p>\n

\"2013<\/a>
Subaru’s Horizontally Opposed Engine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The one area that it lags behind is power. The base 2.5 liter four-cylinder\u00a0motor has 173 horsepower. Mated up to the continuously variable transmission doesn’t do it any favors. In fact, sometimes when I tried to push it a little harder I almost felt it was a car with a manual\u00a0clutch that was slipping. The paddle shifters helped a bit, but most people wouldn’t want work around the automatic transmission they paid for. You can opt for a bigger engine. Subaru offers a 3.6 liter six-cylinder with 256 hp. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to try it. The four-cylinder does get good mileage, 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Last year’s 2.5 liter turbo is gone.<\/p>\n

Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive<\/a>\u00a0is standard. Living in Phoenix, it wouldn’t be a huge factor in my decision to buy. If I lived some place where it rained or snowed (which is pretty much everywhere else), all-wheel drive\u00a0would definitely be\u00a0a plus.\u00a0The AWD is\u00a0especially nice because it doesn’t come at the expense of lower fuel mileage.<\/p>\n

\"2013<\/a>
2013 Subaru Legacy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Styling is not spectacular, but not out-of-place. As I said, the quirky kid wants to fit in. It’s definitely not running off in\u00a0some odd\u00a0new direction. Subaru’s top designer, Osamu\u00a0Namba, has made it very clear that he wants to leave the quirky stuff in the past. (Remember the SVX<\/a> or the Brat<\/a>?) Of course, he also wants people to know a Subaru when they see one. Distinctive and quirky is easy, distinctive and stylish is tougher. There’s nothing wrong with the Legacy styling, but I don’t think Subaru’s new look has truly\u00a0arrived yet. I’ve seen some of their concepts, however, and I’m looking forward to the next generation.<\/p>\n

\"2013<\/a>
2013 Subaru Legacy Interior<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inside,\u00a0the interior is very comfortable. My test car was the Limited edition and it had a nice upscale feel. The Legacy has an inch more leg room in the back seat, and it makes a difference. I like the center console. It’s simple and clean. The display screen is just a little too small. It seems to be cramming a lot of information in a tiny space.<\/p>\n

\"2013<\/a>
Subaru’s Eyesight Driver Assist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Subaru has something called the Eyesight System to prevent lane wandering. It has two cameras mounted near by rear view mirror\u00a0that adjust the cruise control and alert the driver if you start to veer. It will also hit the brakes if it thinks you’re about to run into something. I thought it was particularly impressive compared to\u00a0similar systems\u00a0that I’ve used. I can’t recall any false alarms and it could tell when I was changing lanes or following the curve of the road\u00a0instead of simply wandering. It’s something you might expect to find on a more expensive car. Together with the all-wheel drive it definitely makes the Legacy a safer choice.\u00a0In fact,\u00a0looking at crash ratings, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says the Legacy is a Top Safety Pick<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"2013<\/a>
2013 Subaru Legacy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Prices for the Legacy start at $21,000 for the 2.5i and work their way to $29,000 for the 3.6R Limited. My test car was the 2.5 Limited. With an option package that included upgraded sound and navigation together with the driver assist options it priced out at $30,605. Make sure you test drive the six-cylinder before making your choice.<\/p>\n

There’s a reason that Subaru’s customers love their cars. That alone is enough to make it a reasonable option. Throw in the fact that the looks\u00a0won’t leave your neighbors talking about that quirky person who lives on their block, and\u00a0the Legacy is a reasonable choice.<\/p>\n

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