2013 Subaru Legacy at the 2012 New York International Auto Show
- Competes with: Ford Fusion, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Camry
- Looks like: The Legacy grows a pair of eyes
- Drivetrain: 173-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or CVT; 256-hp, 3.6-liter six-cylinder with five-speed automatic
- Hits dealerships: This summer
For the 2013 model year, the Subaru Legacy gets a mild refresh with a slightly redesigned front end, a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder and automatic transmission, and a driver-assist safety program, which includes stereo-vision cameras. Unfortunately for performance junkies, the turbocharged 2.5GT, with its 265-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and six-speed manual, has been dropped for 2013.
More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage
Up front, the 2013 Subaru Legacy gets new headlights, grille, fog light and bumper designs that tie in better with the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza.
The big news for the 2013 Legacy is its new base four-cylinder. It is Subaru's third-generation boxer engine and features new advancements like dual-overhead-cams; it first debuted on the 2011 Subaru Forester. The four-cylinder also can be equipped with a second-generation continuously variable automatic transmission. Subaru expects the new setup to achieve 24/32/27 mpg city/highway/combined, compared to 23/31/26 mpg for the 2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5i with a CVT.
The Legacy's chassis has also been reworked, giving the model a smoother and quieter ride, according to Subaru.
Another big area of improvement is the model's added safety features. The Legacy now uses adaptive cruise control, a precollision braking system, and lane departure and sway warning systems. All of the systems tie into a pair of cameras that lend the vehicle stereo vision, which can detect pedestrians; Subaru calls the safety tech, Eyesight. At less than 19 mph, the system can detect pedestrians and take pre-emptive actions to prevent an accident, according to Consumer Reports. Volvo's City Safe and Mercedes' Pre-Safe do the same thing, more or less, but Subaru says its Eyesight system will be one of the most affordable options available. Other safety additions include a brake override system that's standard on all Legacys.
In the cabin, the Legacy Limited gets a new rear-seat air vent outlet. Limited models also get a new electroluminescent instrument cluster with a 3.5-inch color screen. A keyless entry system is also available for the model year. All Legacys now get standard Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming.
The 2013 Legacy goes on sale this summer.
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So the model with V4 engine has latest CVT while V6 engine has 5 speed tranny.
Soon the V6 version will be booted out like in Malibu, Fusion, Escape, Equinox.
You're right Max. Seems a little bass-ackwards.
Does "affordable" mean that it's really effective? The Volvo system is infamous for having its flaws and it seems to be a more advanced system. Will be interesting to see its results.
Max it is a H4 and a H6 not V4 and V6
Hm.. I think I would still take the Fusion over this.
The equinox still has a v6 and there is no such thing as a v4. The cvt likely can't handle the torque of the v6. Very few cvts are in existence that can work with a v6. Nissan is one of the few that has such a cvt.
Many motorcycles use V4 engines.
The CVT can handle the torque of the boxing 6 engine.
The 5 speed auto should have been upgraded to a 7 speed auto, while retaining its center differential (that the CVT does not have)
Subaru
Why is Nissan even mentioned? Have you read the latest reports from ConsumerReports.Org? Not exactly the most reliable or safest car on the road by any means. Their CVT is rubber based and breaks at 80K miles. Subaru uses a titanium segmented belt that lasts over 170K Subaru, according to ConsumerReports.Org also just became automaker of the year (2012) for their top rated reliability and test scores. Subaru has IIHS top safety picks for the past 3 years on every model. Which by the way is the only manufacturer to have every model pass. They also have the most fuel efficient all-wheel drive vehicle in America which makes the Legacy the MOST fuel efficient Mid-Size Sedan in the Industry. Should I go on? Sure I will, Subaru has the highest resale value according to Kelly Blue Book and ALG for the last two years. Ford, Chevy, Nissan, and Volvo aren't even on the map when it comes to building a reliable and safe vehicle. Fusion over Legacy? Really? You obviously are not the type of customer that does their due diligence before spending their hard earned money. Subaru for the Win hands down!!!
lol....Suzuki Kazashi? Didn't know they still made that
One more thing. Subaru has had 4 record sales years in a row. They are the only manufacturer to show record growth 4 years continuously. How are they able to achieve this with the opposition of a poor economy and the Tsunami disaster in Japan if they weren't the best to do it ever?
"The big news for the 2013 Legacy is its new base four-cylinder. It is Subaru's third-generation boxer engine and features new advancements like dual-overhead-cams; it first debuted on the 2011 Subaru Forester."
Um, sorry, but Subaru engines have used dual overhead cams for decades.
The current 2.5 boxer only has one camshaft per head. The new FB has two.
No one's CVT uses a rubber drive element. That was done in the 1980s.
Today the choice is a pull-chain (made of steel) or a push-belt (also made of steel)
I was joking about the rubber-based belt. LOL! I was making the point that Subaru's CVT is more reliable then others. Thanks for keeping me in check George. :D