Used 2022 Subaru Legacy

The 2022 Subaru Legacy is an eminently sensible midsize sedan. It has all-wheel drive as standard, along with a reputation for sturdiness in operation and robustness in resale values.

There are some thrills, sure, especially with the turbocharged engine in the XT variants. And a few frills, such as the fine Nappa leather upholstery in the range-topping trim. Generally, though, the Legacy is a safe choice (and we mean that in every sense) for families, college students in regions that get real winters, and anyone thinking that a non-style statement is exactly the sort of statement they want to make.

A new generation (the seventh) debuted for the 2020 model year. A stiffer body than before allowed engineers to tune the suspension to a finer degree and also has a payoff in crash protection. An overall score of five stars out of five was awarded to the Legacy by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the car has been named a Top Safety Pick+, the highest accolade from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

As long as drivers can live with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), then the 2022 Legacy will be a pleasure behind the wheel. The CVT is right up there with thin tires and running out of gasoline on the list of things that driving enthusiasts don’t like. In fairness, the CVT here is at least programmed to simulate eight forward gears and comes with paddle shifters mounted below the steering wheel for a little extra involvement whenever the mood strikes.

The steering system itself is also well calibrated — not over-assisted and with a feeling of precision. This contributes to enjoyable cornering, along with a suspension that’s composed yet still comfortable. The standard all-wheel drive system can send torque to whichever wheel or wheels have the most grip at any moment.

The system also includes active torque vectoring, where the outside rear wheel can track through a curve slightly faster than its inside counterpart. This enables the car to negotiate bends and change direction more efficiently.

Sport trim is the only version of the 2022 Legacy with selectable driving modes, known as SI-Drive. Despite its name, the Legacy Sport doesn’t have the more powerful engine. That’s found only in the XT variants.

It’s noticeably quiet in here. The way Subaru constructs the 2022 Legacy — using things like acoustic glass, door seals, and welded body joints reinforced by industrial adhesive — makes a real difference compared with earlier Legacy generations.

It’s also roomy and filled with good-quality materials. The center stack in most trim levels is home to the high-resolution 11.6-inch touchscreen, which also happens to be quite user-friendly.

Rear legroom is 39.5 inches, making the Legacy almost as spacious as the class-leading Honda Accord. Trunk space measures a decent 15.1 cubic feet, which is accessed by a wide aperture.

The midsize sedan class has some interesting-looking contenders. Take a look at the Mazda6 or the new Kia K5, for example. But it doesn’t matter if the Legacy is one of the plainest of the bunch. Subaru buyers have proved time and again that their appreciation goes way beyond the surface.

The base Legacy gains 17-inch alloy wheels this year. Sport trim comes with its own design of 18-inch alloy wheels. Limited XT is when a power moonroof becomes standard, but you could hardly describe it as panoramic.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
It’s not quite Subaru’s reason for existence, but it’s close. This standard feature makes the Legacy particularly attractive to those who experience rough weather on a regular basis, and/or anyone who just likes the extra traction and stability that comes with four driven wheels. Some rivals don’t even offer it as an option.

VERTICAL TOUCHSCREEN
In every new Legacy except the base model, the infotainment touchscreen measures 11.6 inches on the diagonal and is oriented vertically. Which seems to be a bit of a trend. It certainly adds something of an upscale vibe to the Legacy’s already pleasant cabin.

Trim levels for the 2022 Legacy are base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT. The base model comes with the EyeSight array of driver assistance features (detailed in our Safety section), satellite radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, two 7-inch screens handling infotainment and climate, 17-inch alloy wheels, all-wheel drive, cloth upholstery, and a steering column that adjusts for height as well as reach.

The more recommendable Premium trim, bringing heated/power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, the larger infotainment touchscreen, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the ability for more options.

Premium trim can be ordered with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry/ignition, and LED fog lights. Other extras include navigation and a powered moonroof.

These items become standard higher up the 2022 Legacy range. Some things, however, require purchasing a swisher trim. For example, Sport trim has selectable driving modes. Limited comes with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, leather seating surfaces, self-dimming rearview mirror with large door opener, and heated rear seats.

The top two trims come with a more powerful engine. Limited XT also has a heated steering wheel, while the Touring XT has heated/ventilated front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and a 180-degree front-facing camera.

Along with all-wheel drive, another Subaru hallmark is the flat-4 or boxer engine. Instead of four upright cylinders in a line, it’s arranged in two sets of horizontal pairs. The advantage is a lower center of gravity than a typical sedan, helping the car to feel more stable.

The base engine in the first four trims is naturally aspirated (no turbos or superchargers) and develops an adequate 182 horsepower. The two highest trims have a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-4 that makes a far more entertaining 260 horsepower, yet still has bearable fuel economy.

Both engines connect to a CVT, and all-wheel drive is standard.

2.5-liter flat-4
182 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
176 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/35 mpg
2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4
260 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
277 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/32 mpg