2017 Subaru Legacy Sport Arrival: A Return to Practicality - Motor Trend
The arrival of a 2017 Subaru Legacy Sport in #MTGarage breaks a long dry spell since we’ve done a long-term test of a practical midsize sedan. That previous honor goes to a 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, which racked up more than 40,000 miles and averaged an impressive 42.3 mpg during its stay.
Our new long-term Legacy doesn’t have hybrid power, but it does bring the unique combination of a boxer engine and all-wheel drive—the latter feature adding peace of mind given the apocalyptic deluge we’ve endured in Southern California this winter.
The Legacy is available with a 3.6-liter, H-6 engine, but we decided to go with the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer that makes 175 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system round out the powertrain.
Additionally, the four-banger is the only engine offered with the Legacy Sport, a new trim level added for the 2017 model year. It’s essentially an appearance package that includes 18-inch wheels, matte silver trim on the rocker panels and side mirror housing, and a dark gray grille. Inside, two-tone gray and black seats, blue contrast stitching, and carbon fiber-like trim accents are exclusive to the Sport model.
With crazy weather hitting Southern California, the timing of our all-wheel-drive Subaru Legacy couldn’t be more perfect.
Standard niceties include dual-zone climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, heated front seats, and a backup camera. Our car is equipped with the optional Sport Value package that adds a moonroof, push-button start, navigation, and Subaru’s suite of EyeSight driver assistance technology including blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and forward and reverse collision prevention. Despite the relatively long list of amenities, our Legacy Sport rings in at a reasonable $28,998 (including the $820 destination fee).
The first thing that immediately stood out to me was the Legacy’s roominess. My previous long-termer was a 2016 Mazda Miata, so my perspective might be a little skewed, but there is just an abundance of space everywhere. Front and rear legroom measure out to 42.9 and 38.1 inches, respectively, and trunk capacity is listed at 15 cubic feet. Competitors such as the Ford Fusion show slightly bigger numbers, but the Legacy’s overall interior packaging is outstanding.
We’re also eager to see how close our Legacy hits the EPA’s rating of 25/34 mpg city/highway. Stay tuned for RealMPG fuel economy figures from our Emissions Analytics team and performance numbers from our test crew—both are on standby until the rain subsides. Until then, we’ll enjoy piloting through the crazy weather in our new safe and roomy long-term Subie.
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