2022 Subaru Legacy Limited GT

Everyone needs a friend that is laid back, easy going and doesn’t demand the spotlight, but is someone you know can count on when the going gets tough.

That’s pretty much what I think of the 2022 Subaru Legacy. It’s not a sedan that will stand out in a crowd, but it delivers a solid driving experience, an excellent passenger cabin and a subtle yet elegant styling. Oh, and Subaru’s vaunted standard all-wheel drive system means the Legacy has always got your back even under the toughest driving conditions.

It also comes with a host of other safety technologies that make the Legacy a leader in its class, with our Limited GT tester now featuring the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System (DMS) as new for 2022.

The Limited trim is the third of four trims offered on the Legacy (Convenience, Touring and Premier being the other three), while our tester was the Limited GT that features a more potent turbo engine and a few other changes such as alloy pedals and 18-inch gunmetal five-spoke alloy wheels.

Pricing for the Legacy starts at $26,795 while the as-tested cost was $39,520.

Other notable features on the Limited trim include leather seats, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel and LED steering-responsive headlights with high-beam assist.

Powertrain: The Legacy has two engines in its lineup, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Subaru Boxer powerplant.

The Limited GT and Premier GT trims, however, get the smaller yet more powerful 2.4L turbocharger four-cylinder that delivers 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque through a high-torque Lineartronic CVT.

The engine delivers more than enough power for a vehicle of this size and delivers excellent acceleration and passing power, although the CTV did get a little whiny at times.

The Legacy Limited GT is rated for a consumption average of 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres, but I unfortunately missed that by a wide margin with my 11.4 L/100 km.

Exterior: The Legacy is a tastefully designed midsize sedan, even though it may be more low-key than many of its rivals.

The front fascia has a nice split grille that features the Subaru logo on a chrome bar. It is flanked by LED headlights that blend in nicely with the body of the sedan.

The rear has large taillights that wrap around the side of the Legacy, which has clean lines front to back.

The aforementioned 18-inch gunmetal five-spoke alloy wheels certainly looked nice against the white exterior of the tester and give it a sportier appearance.

Interior: The cabin design is just as tasteful, but with a little more flair in the dash.

It is dominated by a tablet-style 11.6-inch touchscreen, whose colours break up an otherwise black cabin.

However, despite that, it is a very nicely designed interior, one that is spacious and comfortable for all occupants.

The details and finishes in the Legacy are both excellent, and a definite improvement over previous versions of the Legacy I have driven.

There is comfortable seating front and back, with rear occupants also getting a decent amount of knee and legroom in the sedan.

Infotainment: The 11.6-inch screen is paired to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with subwoofer and amplifier that delivers sweet tunes. It’s also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and features a navigation system.

The interface is quite good with little lag to inputs. I did find it a tad annoying that you needed to navigate through the on-screen menus to activate the function for the heated seats and some of the other climate control functions.

Drive: The turbocharged engine means that the Legacy Limited GT is a little more fun to drive that the base version.

Now it won’t knock your socks off, but the engine output means you will have no problem getting moving or making a passing manoeuvre on the highway, even if the CVT’s whining might make you think you are overworking the engine.

The Legacy’s handling and driving characteristics are both improved over the previous version of the model, which results in a ride that is comfortable and stable over rougher pavement.

The standard all-wheel drive system is also one of the best on the market and a big reason why Subaru models have a loyal following.

Conclusion: The Legacy does a lot of the little things right even though it may not get the attention it deserves. The 2022 model has a nice design in my view, and the interior is a comfortable place to enjoy a drive.

The Limited GT and it’s more potent powertrain negate many of the complaints about lacklustre performance, while also offering a lot of safety features that help keep you and your passengers safe. The distraction system seems to be pretty good as it definitely had its eyes on me to make sure I was keeping my eyes on the road.

Overall, while not flashy, this is another solid vehicle from Subaru.

2022 Subaru Legacy Limited GT
Price as tested: $39,520.00
Freight: $1,725.00
Configuration: Front engine/All-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder/ High-torque Lineartronic CVT
Power/torque: 260 horsepower/ 277 lb-ft of torque
Fuel (capacity): Regular (70 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 8.7 L/100 km
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 11.4 L/100 km
Warranties: 3-years/60,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, Toyota Camry

Link: Subaru Canada