2018 Subaru Legacy Road Test and Review

Subaru has been red-hot for the past six years. Not only has it recorded 73 consecutive months of growth, last year Subaru sold 647,956 cars and SUVs in the United States — its most ever. Its Legacy sedan is a cornerstone of that success, offering a unique combination of style, fuel economy, safety, and standard all-wheel drive.

With a starting price well below $25,000, the Legacy is a standout value in the crowded mid-size family sedan class. And it has been radically improved for 2018 with a sportier look, more safety and infotainment features, and improved performance. Now in its sixth generation, the 2018 Legacy competes with such models as the Mazda6, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, and Hyundai Sonata — and of course the segment sales leaders, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

The 2018 Subaru Legacy is available in five trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport, 2.5i Limited, and 3.6R Limited. The 2.5i models come standard with a very fuel-efficient 175-horsepower 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, an excellent continuously variable automatic transmission, and Subaru’s legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive system. The 3.6R Limited switches to a 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, whose 252 hp is among the highest ratings in its class. 

Prices start at just $23,055, including an $860 destination fee. The base 2.5i model includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen and an infotainment system compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Of course, prices and standard equipment increase as you move up through the trim levels, up to $32,805 for the 3.6R Limited. With an as-tested price of $29,300, our test vehicle, a Legacy 2.5i Sport with optional navigation and Subaru’s EyeSight safety systems, represented a very high value.

Since the first-generation Legacy hit the streets in 1989, this mid-size sedan has always been one of the more aggressively styled in its class. While many of its competitors have fought it out for the “most boring design” honors, the Legacy has always offered a mix of daring design elements and European flair that has kept it from getting lost in the mall parking lot. 

For 2018, Subaru has reshaped Legacy’s grille, making it lower and wider, and it has reshaped its exterior mirrors to improve aerodynamics. There are also new more aggressively styled C-shaped headlamps and LED daytime running lights. Subaru says the Legacy’s new horizontal style lines, which extend outward from the grille, subtly suggest the piston motion of the brand’s unique horizontally opposed engine design. The changes aren’t radical but they provide a more youthful and sporty appearance. There are also attractive new wheel designs. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard, but the upper trim levels, including our 2.5i Sport test vehicle, get 18s. In back, there’s a new chrome tailpipe design, which is well integrated into the lower fascia.

To smooth the Legacy’s ride, Subaru’s engineers retuned its suspension for 2018. They have also retuned its steering system for more feel and added sound-insulating glass to the front side windows to reduce cabin noise. The result is the best-driving Legacy ever. The four-cylinder’s 175 hp is adequate for most buyers, as the Legacy is quick off the line. It’s also able to execute highway passing maneuvers without needing full throttle. Subaru’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is one of the best of its kind. It’s responsive and feels more natural in its operation than other CVTs, and paddle shifters allow you to choose manually among six simulated forward gears.

You still feel the road in the Legacy 2.5i Sport, as the ride isn’t pillowy soft, but it’s comfortable and the steering has exceptional linear response. Overall the Legacy is sporty and its handling, thanks in part to its outstanding all-wheel drive system, is extremely stable, although its Goodyear tires squeal when pushed. This year Subaru has also tweaked the Legacy’s brake system, and the result is a noticeably firmer, more direct pedal feel. Well done.

Inside, the Legacy has new, more premium materials and a redesigned center console for better ergonomics and usability. Our 2.5i Sport test vehicle's cabin had an overall feeling of quality with excellent fit and finish and an abundance of chrome trim around the shifter, around the engine start button, and on the pushbutton parking brake. The interior door handles are also chrome and the knobs for the climate and audio controls are knurled like in a Bentley or a Benz. The Legacy’s thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel is also new for 2018 and is perfectly shaped and sized. The front seats were comfortable and packed powerful heaters, but the abundance of lumbar padding may be too much for some buyers.

Our test vehicle's infotainment system featured a large 8-inch touchscreen and its menus and functions were easily navigated. Unfortunately, the touch-sensitive buttons that surround the screen are easy to engage accidentally as you adjust the radio. Also, Subaru locks out some functions when the car is in motion, which can be frustrating. The good news is that the Legacy’s voice recognition system is one of the best. Visibility is also outstanding, and the outside mirrors are large and well-shaped. All the controls are well placed, the two front cupholders are large, and the climate controls are simple and easy to use.

Built in Indiana, the 2018 Subaru Legacy seats five comfortably. Rear legroom is vast, but rear headroom does get tight for passengers over 6 feet tall. There’s generous interior storage as well. The center console bin is huge and felt-lined, and the large door pockets have slots for water bottles. There’s a large covered bin forward of the shifter, which is ideal for your phone or various knick-knacks.

The new Legacy also has a big trunk with 15 cubic feet of space. Plus, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat is standard. With the rear seat folded, the Legacy’s trunk swallowed a 20-inch kid’s bike with ease. Still, if the Legacy appeals to you but you need more cargo space, check out the similar Subaru Outback wagon.

Subaru’s award-winning EyeSight driver assistance technology is available on the 2018 Legacy. Updated this year, EyeSight includes lane-departure and sway Warnings, lane-keep assistance, and automatic pre-collision braking that warns if a vehicle or pedestrian is in your path and will automatically begin braking for you to avoid a potential accident.

I was also impressed with the smooth and responsive operation of the Legacy’s adaptive cruise control. This system, which keeps a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, applies the brakes smoothly and it can be used in stop and go traffic. Subaru also offers headlights that turn as you turn the steering wheel and headlights that automatically switch between high and low beams for you. Our 2.5i Sport test vehicle also includeded blind-spot detection with lane-change assist, plus a rear cross-traffic alert, which warns the driver of a car or other obstacle approaching from the side when you're backing up.

Thanks to those high-tech safety systems, as well as superior crashworthiness, the Legacy has scored the highest safety ratings. It has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and it earned the highest crash test rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Parents will appreciate the Subaru’s standard rearview camera, its easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats, and its new automatic locking doors. The system locks the doors at 12.5 mph and unlocks them when the vehicle is placed in park and driver’s door is opened.

Fuel economy is also impressive, and the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is much more fuel efficient than the optional six-cylinder. The 2.5-liter is rated for 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. I averaged 30 mpg during a week of mixed driving. I was also impressed by the Legacy’s range, as it can travel well over 500 miles on the highway between fill-ups.

An easy-to-use navigation system is available on all trim levels except the base Legacy 2.5i model. Bluetooth is standard on every 2018 Legacy, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Unfortunately, onboard Wi-Fi is not offered. The base model gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen, but all other models get an 8-inch unit.  

Subaru also includes a secondary screen between the Legacy’s large analog speedometer and tachometer. It includes a redundant digital speedometer, displays fuel economy information, and your tire pressures.

Overall, the new Legacy is comfortable, it's fun-to-drive, and it offers high-tech safety features as well as the highest safety ratings. Although some of those desirable features and safety technology are extra-cost options, the Legacy remains an excellent value throughout its extensive range of trim levels. Plus, it’s the only car in its class with standard all-wheel drive.

If you’re looking for a sporty, family-friendly, and affordable midsize sedan that’s all-weather ready, the 2018 Subaru Legacy is a very desirable choice.