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Subaru Turbocharges the 2023 Legacy Sport

Photo credit: Subaru
Photo credit: Subaru
  • Subaru restyles and rearranges trim levels for the mid-sized Legacy sedan in 2023.

  • The Sport trim Legacy will now pack the 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four found in the Ascent and Outback XT.

  • A redesigned front fascia and LED headlight system will be updated across all trim levels.


Subaru has revamped the Legacy for 2023, with a number of stylistic changes and one notable mechanical addition. Sport trim Legacies, which previously housed the natural aspirated 2.5-liter flat-four, will now come standard with the torquey 2.4-liter turbocharged offering. Putting down 260 hp at 5600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque from 2000-4800 rpm, the forced-induction boxer engine is tuned for an everyday usable shove of torque at the bottom end of the powerband.

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With five trim levels for the 2023 model year, only the Sport, Limited, and Touring XT trims will be equipped with the turbocharged power plant. Wallets can rejoice, however, as performance-oriented Legacy buyers were previously relegated to the upper echelons of the two XT trim levels. Though Subaru hasn’t released pricing for their 2023 models, the Sport trim is sure to provide a cost accessible entry to faster freeway merging.

Photo credit: Subaru
Photo credit: Subaru



Beyond the trim rearranging, changes to the 2023 Legacy are largely cosmetic or comfort-oriented. New across trims are redesigned headlights, a front bumper update, and the standardization of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. Top of the line XT Touring models receive a 360-degree heated steering wheel and the addition of a Wide-Angle Mono Camera, which helps the EyeSight system in spotting pedestrians and cyclists in busy intersections. A trunk spoiler, red grille accents, and newly designed 18-inch wheels attached to a sport tuned suspension distinguish the Sport trim.

Subaru continues to use CVTs for the majority of their lineup, and the Legacy is no different. All Legacy trims are equipped with the Lineartronic CVT that features an eight-speed manual mode. Distinctions in gas mileage are slight, with the 2.4-liter turbo estimating 24/32 mpg city/highway and the 2.5-liter claiming 27/35 mpg city/highway. Subaru notes that the naturally aspirated model can travel up to 600 miles on a single tank with its 18.5 gallon fuel capacity.

Photo credit: Subaru
Photo credit: Subaru



Subaru’s reputation is one that rides on safety and it expects the Legacy to uphold the bar they’ve set. The 2022 Subaru Legacy earned a Top Safety Pick Plus from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the fundamental chassis of the Legacy remains the same for 2023. The IIHS is adding two additional tests to the 2023 Top Safety Pick Plus qualifications, including an increased speed side impact and nighttime pedestrian avoidance test.

While we would love to see a six-speed manual option, the Legacy is decidedly not an enthusiast-targeted car. That said, a Sport trim specific suspension and the addition of the 2.4-liter turbocharged heart may win over buyers looking for a safe and practical sedan with spirited driving hardware.

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