For 2012, the Subaru Legacy is available in seven trim levels. The 2.5i is the entry-level trim, and comes in Premium, and Limited trims. In the middle of the range is the 2.5GT in Limited trim, and the 3.6R in both Premium and Limited trims tops the line.
Three engines are available. The 2.5i trim comes with a 2.5L 4-cylinder horizontally opposed "boxer" engine that makes 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5GT comes with a turbocharged DOHC version of the same engine making 265 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6R gets a 3.6L V6 boxer engine capable of 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque.
The 2.5i comes with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. The 2.5GT is offered only with the 6-speed manual transmission, while the 3.6L engine is offered only with a 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Subaru's trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive is standard on all models. MacPherson struts in front and a new double-wishbone rear setup provide the Legacy with a sporty, compliant suspension.
Standard safety equipment includes front seat side impact airbags, side curtain airbags, intelligent dual-stage deploying front air bags, 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, brake assist, an electronic parking brake with Hill Holder and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Limited trims offer voice-activated GPS with rear-backup camera.
Standard equipment on the base 2.5i includes air conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, power doors, windows and mirrors and steering wheel controls. The 2.5i Premium adds as standard a 10-way driver seat, 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome exhaust tip and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. The 2.5 Limited adds a 4-way power passenger seat, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, a harman/kardon 440-watt premium audio system, leather-trimmed upholstery and an All Weather Package, which includes a windshield wiper de-icer, heated side mirrors and heated front seats.
The 2.5GT Limited aims to be the Legacy's sporty trim. The car has gained a power moonroof, fog lights and satellite radio, as well as interior appearance parts such as aluminum pedals, silver stitching and a carbon-look dash. Also standard are 18-inch alloy wheels, dual chrome exhaust tips and functional hood scoop, plus a power passenger seat, dual-zone climate control, a harman/kardon 440-watt premium audio system and leather trimmed upholstery. A voice-activated navigation system is a $2,000 option.
The 3.6R base trim features a refined "boxer" 6-cylinder engine, 17-inch alloy wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips. The 3.6R Premium adds a 10-way power heated driver seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. The 3.6R Limited adds 4-way power passenger seat, dual zone climate control, harman/kardon 440-watt premium audio system with 6-CD player, Bluetooth and special perforated leather upholstery.
Compelling Design Inside And Out
Plenty Of Power
Ride Comfort
Standard All-wheel Drive
Fine Balance Of Luxury And Performance
The 2012 Subaru Legacy is mostly the same as the outgoing model year, but it did get a trim reshuffle, and some tweaking to the standard equipment list.
The base 2.5i gets steering-wheel mounted audio controls and an available Alloy Wheel Package that includes fog lamps, heated front seats and heated mirrors.
Azurite Blue Pearl and Steel Silver Metallic paints have been dropped, but Deep Indigo Pearl and Ice Silver Metallic have been added.
The 2.5i Premium gets an upgraded stereo that now offers an audio input jack, a USB port, iPod control capability, Bluetooth and Sirius/XM satellite radio capability. The 2.5i Limited gets standard fog lamps.
Subaru has long been known for its insistence of standard all-wheel drive in all of its models. The Legacy brings Subaru's reputation for safety and reliability to a stylish mid-size sedan capable of surprising performance, with MSRP starting at just under $20,000.
