We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2013 Subaru Legacy Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: A very good AWD car with an inferior audio/GPS/bluetooth system by AcuraT

AcuraT

0

Sign in or join to like this review.

Reviewed: 2013 Subaru Legacy

4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Why the 2013 Subaru Legacy?

Exterior styling

The car has a modern look to it. The tire flares are a little too exagerated and were reduced in the 2015 redesign. Overall it looks like most other four door sedans on the road today.

X

Interior styling

The interior styling is fine and modern. In the Limited edition the GPS screen is large and inviting. Most controls are clearly labeled and easy to use.

Controls and instruments

The car's controls are fine except for the GPS/Bluetooth system which comes from the Stone Age. The GPS verbal commands are complicated, and every time you want to use it you first have to tell it what country you are in. This is the only car I have ever owned you have to do that, and it is annoying it cannot remember you are in the United States. Worse, you have to bring up a second and third screen for it to calculate alternative routes. If you don't do it fast enough, then the system uses the route it selected and you have to cancel and start over. It is not user friendly. Eyesight is an excellent accident prevention system and already in the first year of ownership, when a car pulled out from a side street onto the main road in front of my Subaru and another car (BMW) without a prevention system, I was able to stop my car in time (due to pre-braking by Subaru) while the other car plowed into the truck. The BMW needed $5000 in repairs, while I just gave a statement and left the scene after the officer arrived. That one accident avoidance paid most of the cost of the system. I highly recommend getting it if you can on Subaru models.

X
X

The car's controls are fine except for the GPS/Bluetooth system which comes from the Stone Age. The GPS verbal commands are complicated, and every time you want to use it you first have to tell it what country you are in. This is the only car I have ever owned you have to do that, and it is annoying it cannot remember you are in the United States. Worse, you have to bring up a second and third screen for it to calculate alternative routes. If you don't do it fast enough, then the system uses the route it selected and you have to cancel and start over. It is not user friendly.

Eyesight is an excellent accident prevention system and already in the first year of ownership, when a car pulled out from a side street onto the main road in front of my Subaru and another car (BMW) without a prevention system, I was able to stop my car in time (due to pre-braking by Subaru) while the other car plowed into the truck. The BMW needed $5000 in repairs, while I just gave a statement and left the scene after the officer arrived. That one accident avoidance paid most of the cost of the system. I highly recommend getting it if you can on Subaru models.

Powertrain performance

With the H6 engine there is very strong performance. From 0-60 in about 7 seconds, it is faster than it looks. A Cadillac XLR thought it could pass me and was shocked when I zipped on ahead and it had no chance of pulling in front of me before the lanes narrowed down to one. It was funny seeing him flash his headlights because he did not have the smarts to push his car hard enough to beat the slow Subaru (I was driving fast enough, they were just annoyed).

Fuel economy

The downside of the H6 is not great gas mileage, but for what you are getting, it is not bad. On the highway with cruise control have managed to get about 30 mpg. In a mix of city and highway it gets 23 mpg. In city only it gets 18 mpg. Again, for AWD not bad, but not great. Want better gas mileage, get the H4 engine.

Why Not the 2013 Subaru Legacy?

Tires

The standard tires are not terrible, but they are not great either as they are Bridgestone Turanzas. I have a feeling Subaru got a deal on them to place these tires on thecar. When they expire I plan to get better all weather tires that Tire Rack recommends (like Michilin or Goodyear Tripletred Assurance).

Towing

Want a Subaru? Don't get it for towing. It cannot tow very much. I don't need that so it is not of concern for me, but for those who need it, evaluate if it can meet your needs.

Dealer practices

Not happy with the dealer and left it for an independent shop I trust. The dealer wants to overcharge and on top of that, did an oil change wrong so I had to add oil after 1000 miles (two quarts missing).

Audio & nav systems

Look at the positives above as this is actually a negative I accidently put in the positive section.

Conclusion

For an AWD car when you need it for mountains and snow, it is about the only offering on the market that is a family sedan price and not a luxury brand.

Return to top

Sign in or join TrueDelta to post your own thoughts.

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.