2019 Subaru Legacy review
Subaru Legacy highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Standard all-wheel drive for added traction
- Long list of driver-assist features
- Excellent outward visibility
Cons
- Engines aren't as powerful as in rivals
- Below-average fuel economy
- Not as enjoyable to drive
Mileage (EPA estimate)
20 city, 28 highway, 23 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
The 2019 Subaru Legacy is a standout for its stability and safety
SUVs typically provide more passenger and cargo space as well as offer more models with all-wheel drive than the typical family sedan. If you've been looking to downsize, your choices have been very limited if you desire the added traction of all-wheel drive. The 2019 Subaru Legacy is one of the rare sedans that not only offers all-wheel drive but includes it as standard equipment.
For 2019, the Legacy sweetened the deal by including Subaru's EyeSight® suite of driver-assist features on all models. Holding the Legacy back are its weak engines. The base four-cylinder is noticeably underpowered when compared to other sedans and even the six-cylinder upgrade falls short of expectations. The only all-wheel-drive competitor, the Nissan Altima, isn't particularly powerful either. For those who don't need all-wheel drive, the Honda Accord and Mazda6 are excellent alternatives.
All Subaru Legacy years
What is new for the 2019 Subaru Legacy?
- The Legacy is available in a new trim called the 2.5I Sport.
- The Sport trim has been discontinued for 2019.
- Legacy trims have been upgraded with Automated Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Spoiler as standard equipment this year.
- The 2.5I trim now comes with CD Audio and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
2019 Subaru Legacy trims
2.5I:
- 175-hp, 174-lb-ft of torque 2.5L
- Rear Defroster
- Automated Cruise Control
- Cloth Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- View our Subaru Legacy 2.5I inventory
2.5I Premium:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5I
- Power Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Alloy Wheels
- View our Subaru Legacy 2.5I Premium inventory
2.5I Sport:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5I Premium
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Smart Key
- Rear Spoiler
- View our Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport inventory
2.5I Limited:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5I Sport
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seats
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Harman Kardon Sound
- View our Subaru Legacy 2.5I Limited inventory
3.6R Limited:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5I Limited
- 256-hp, 247-lb-ft of torque 3.6L
- View our Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited inventory
Subaru Legacy photos
5 reasons to buy the 2019 Subaru Legacy
What We Like
Standard all-wheel drive: Most midsize family sedans either offer all-wheel drive as an option or not at all. The 2019 Subaru Legacy bucks the trend by including it as standard equipment. That should be a strong incentive for shoppers in regions prone to inclement weather since all-wheel drive delivers higher levels of traction and stability than rear- or front-wheel drive.
Plenty of driver-assist features: All Legacy models come standard with Subaru's EyeSight® suite of advanced driver-assist features. These include frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assistance. The Sport trim adds a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic reverse braking and automatic high beams are available as options.
Great visibility: A lot of modern vehicles have thick roof pillars that compromise outward visibility. The Legacy's structure and components are designed in a way that greatly reduces those obstructions. As an added bonus, the cabin has a more open and airy feeling.
What Needs Improvement
Weak performance: The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine only produces 175 horsepower and is underpowered when compared to rivals. It takes 9.5 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, which is slow for the class. Stepping up to the 3.6-liter V6 increases output to 256 hp, but even that is weak when compared to the competition's engine upgrades.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Subaru Legacy an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Subaru Legacy 12th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Subaru LegacySubaru Legacy features and specs
2.5I 4WD/AWD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Lane Departure Warning
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- Rear Spoiler
- Remote Start
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
2.5L
Horsepower
175
Torque (ft-lbs)
174
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
18.5
Wheelbase
108.3"
Overall length
188.8"
Width
72.4"
Height
59"
Leg room
F 42.9"/R 38.1"
Head room
F 40"/R 37"
Front tires
P225/55VR17
Rear tires
P225/55VR17
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2019 Subaru Legacy FAQ
The 2019 Subaru Legacy is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- 2.5I : 25 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- 2.5I Limited : 25 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- 2.5I Premium : 25 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- 2.5I Sport : 25 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- 3.6R Limited : 20 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
The Subaru Legacy received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Subaru Legacy as 11 out of 28 among Midsize Car
The 2019 Subaru Legacy has received an average 4.5 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2019 Subaru Legacy, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2019 Subaru Legacy Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2019 Subaru Legacy:
- 2.5I Sport
- Automated Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Satellite Radio Ready
- CD Audio
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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