16th Place: Subaru Legacy

Overview:

The Legacy is cramped, noisy, and stiff-riding. Its power comes from a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which doesn't deliver the immediate zip of the V6s found in most of the others in this group. And it's not cheap, scraping closer to the group's price ceiling than the others here. Why isn't it ranked closer to the back of the group? The Legacy is a fun-to-drive midsize car with the unique all-weather capability of standard AWD, comfortable and supportive front seats, and top-notch safety ratings. It is not a particularly usable family car, because of its subcompact-level rear seating and cargo accommodations, but it offers a unique feel that some may find appealing.

Driving the Legacy:

The Legacy has a well-controlled but firm ride that doesn't isolate occupants well from bumps. It handles very well, with controlled body lean and precise, responsive steering, making it more fun to drive than most competitors or even some premium-branded sport sedans. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine makes the car quick, but as noted earlier, there is a delay before its full power kicks in. The car's standard all-wheel-drive helps give it traction and prevents torque steer, but adds extra weight. Gas mileage is unimpressive, particularly for a four-cylinder car.

Inside the Legacy:

The Legacy’s front seats are a bit low and there could be more headroom, but they are well-shaped and very comfortable and supportive. The rear is quite cramped, but the low seat is at least well-shaped. The interior uses solid materials that fit together well, but the ambiance isn't as luxurious as some other $28,000 cars. The gauges are clear, but some instruments could be larger. Drivers sit comfortably, and can see out well. Rear seat entry/exit is complicated by low seats, narrow door openings, and small footwells. The trunk is less roomy than that in most compact cars, and is by far this group's smallest.

Legacy pricing:

The Legacy is one of the pricier cars in this group, but it comes with the group's only all-wheel-drive system (standard on the Legacy, but also offered but not equipped here on the Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger and Ford Fusion) as well as a power passenger seat.

Conclusion:

The Legacy lacks the family-sedan functionality even of the other sport-oriented cars in this group, and its AWD and turbocharged engine are unusual. But for the level of driving enjoyment it provides, it is worth a look even against its less-expensive and better-rounded competitors.

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