2012 Subaru Legacy Philadelphia

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All-wheel drive makes the Subaru Legacy an excellent choice for anyone who wants a midsize sedan capable of handling the worst weather. These cars are particularly enjoyable to drive through the mountains where winding roads may be dry, wet, icy or covered with snow. However, responsive handling, respectable performance and handsome styling make the Legacy enjoyable to own even when the sun is shining and the roads are dry.

2012 Subaru Legacy Design

The Subaru Legacy looks sleek with its coupe-like roofline. However, the Legacy looks a bit odd in profile when you study it, slightly platypus-like, with its long rounded nose. Aggressive wheel arches and edged flares are enhanced by handsome alloy wheels. On the Legacy 2.5GT, a prominent hood scoop sucks in air and tunnels it to the turbocharger intercooler. Along with the 18-inch wheels with wide-profile tires and twin-tip exhaust, it's clear that the GT means business.

Handling of the 2012 Subaru Legacy

We've driven all versions. We tested both transmissions in the base Subaru Legacy 2.5i and recommend the optional Continuously Variable Transmission. The CVT makes driving effortless and gets significantly better fuel economy than the standard 6-speed manual gearbox. The CVT works like a regular automatic transmission: Just shift it into Drive and go. It comes with paddle shifters on the steering wheel allowing the driver to shift into different ratios when preferred. Subaru was an early leader in CVT technology and has been making CVTs some 20 years.

Interior of the 2012 Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy cabin is nice, with quality interior materials all around. We found the front bucket seats wonderfully comfortable. The three-spoke steering wheel isn't as handsome as the rest of the interior, although the optional leather wrap is nice. Visibility in all directions is good.  Trunk space measures 14.7 cubic feet, which is large enough for four sets of golf clubs. Gas strut supports, no intrusion into trunk space: quality detail, for such an affordable midsize car. The center console offers plenty of space and features a standard electric parking brake, which includes the Hill Holder system that lasts until the car accelerates (not just a couple seconds as in the previous generation). The four-gauge instrument panel is clean and stylish, with a multi-information display standard. The controls on the center stack are all well done. The electronically controlled HVAC system offers powerful and quiet air conditioning and optional dual zone control. The ambient lighting for the console is pleasant.

'12 Legacy Lineup

The 2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5i is powered by a 170-hp boxer-four engine, paired with 6-speed manual transmission, and riding on 16-inch steel wheels. Standard equipment includes air conditioning; 60/40 split rear seat with armrest; steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons; four-speaker AM/FM stereo with CD player, Radio Data Broadcast System (RDBS), and input jacks; remote entry; and power windows, locks and mirrors.

 Legacy 2.5i Premium adds a 10-way power driver's seat, alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and other conveniences. New for 2012 is an upgraded six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo that includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity with steering-wheel controls and audio streaming, RDBS, iPod control capability, a USB port and 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, and pre-wiring for XM/ Sirius Satellite Radio. CVT is optional, as is the All Weather Package; or order the All Weather Package combined with a moonroof.

Legacy 2.5i Limited comes with leather-trimmed upholstery, a four-way adjustable power passenger seat, dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, the all-weather package and the CVT. The previously standard nine-speaker harman-kardon 440-watt audio system now incorporates all the same connectivity features as the new Premium-level stereo, plus HD radio and a 4.3-inch LCD display. XM Satellite Radio is standard. Fog lights are now standard as well. 

Legacy 2.5GT Limited is equipped similarly but powered by a 265-hp turbocharged engine with 6-speed manual transmission, larger brakes, and 18-inch alloy wheels with summer tires. The moonroof is standard, as is a hood scoop and unique interior trim.

Legacy 3.6R comes with a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, along with the larger brakes from the GT model, and 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. Otherwise standard equipment is just slightly more deluxe than on the base 2.5i.

Legacy 3.6R Premium adds 10-way power driver's seat, all-weather package, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the same new deluxe stereo as the 2.5i Premium.

Legacy 3.6R Limited adds leather, the four-way power passenger seat, dual-zone climate control, and the same upgraded harman-kardon sound system as the 2.5i Limited; with the moonroof, and moonroof plus navigation as the only options.

Conclusion

The Subaru Legacy is a premium product in terms of its engineering. All-wheel drive and a low center of gravity gives the Legacy a unique advantage over the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda6, Nissan Altima, and Volkswagen Passat. The Legacy 2.5i offers plenty of power and adequate space, with luxury and comfort exceeding its class, while getting an EPA-rated 26 mpg in Combined city and highway driving with the CVT transmission. The Legacy 2.5GT is an enjoyable sports sedan with all-weather capability. The Legacy 3.6R is a midsize luxury car. Learn more about it at the official 2012 Subaru Legacy website .

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com