DecodedCars2023 Subaru Legacy
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan, GT 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 182–260 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 30 combined · 27 city / 35 hwy
- Length
- 191.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,541–3,788 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 27% better than the average 2023 large car (23.7 MPG).
- Strong performanceUp to 260 hp, versus about 205 hp for similar 2023 models.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Few owner complaints10 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 43 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2023 Subaru Legacy is a large car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,541 lb (4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (27 city / 35 highway), 27% better than the 2023 large car average of 23.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2023
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2022 Legacy — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 Legacy →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Lafayette, Indiana
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2023 Legacy configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 191.3 in | 72.4 in | 59.1 in | 108.3 in | 62.2 / 63.4 in | 3,541 lb | |
| GT 4dr Sedan | 191.3 in | 72.4 in | 59.1 in | 108.3 in | 62.2 / 63.4 in | 3,788 lb |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | +27% | $2,250 | 295 |
| Legacy AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +10% | $2,600 | 337 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.1% |
Similar 2023 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Subaru Legacy (this car) | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2023 Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2023 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2023 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2023 Toyota Crown | 41 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2023 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch · Nov 9, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V755000 · 95,830 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- Risk
- An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Sep 21, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V647000 · 4,311 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
- Risk
- Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
Not every 2023 Subaru Legacy is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2023 Subaru Legacy buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Visibility › Windshield — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 1 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 2,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2023 Subaru Legacy. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Legacy years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Legacy | 30 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 6 |
| 2024 Legacy | 30 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 17 |
| 2022 Legacy | 30 | 190.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 34 |
| 2021 Legacy | 30 | 190.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 31 |
| 2020 Legacy | 30 | 190.6 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 121 |
| 2019 Legacy | 29 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 123 |
| 2018 Legacy | 29 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 117 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →