2012 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited: Review notes

Solid, comfortable all-wheel-drive transportation

The six-cylinder engine in the 2012 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited is rated at 256 hp..

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The 2012 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited is one of the more well-rounded midsize sedans on the market. It has nice, identifiable styling, a simple though solidly executed interior and an agreeable powertrain that's up for everything.

I've seen this car since it was a lightly disguised concept at the Detroit auto show three years ago, attended the launch program in Seattle and have driven several versions over the ensuing years. I think it's held up remarkably well, with a design that still attracts attention. One lady was gushing over it in a parking lot as I wandered into a book store.

The drive character is practical, with the H6 strong and the five-speed reasonably smooth. Still, Subaru has fallen a bit behind in this area compared with other sedans that now offer six-speed autos and more output. The all-wheel drive adds confidence and grip and is fun in everyday driving. It's a hallmark of the brand and one of the core reasons people seek it out. Still, the added weight and decrease in fuel economy almost relegate the Legacy to a niche product, as competitors offer more mpg and horsepower for less money. If you don't live in a climate that requires AWD, why pay for it?

In general, I enjoyed my weekend in this stout sedan. The cabin has pleasant materials and presents well, though the audio display is dated. The steering has nice feedback, the chassis has the right balance of tightness and comfort and the brakes are well-calibrated.

The Legacy is a solid car. It does a lot of things well for its core customer base. The average consumer, however, has more affordable and practical options.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: The latest generations of Subaru vehicles continue to impress on a variety of levels. Solid build quality and fun-to-drive remain the two biggest for me, and this Legacy-while not a standout in any one thing-could be considered a solid utility player. The car is comfortable, the steering is quick and direct, and the 3.6-liter boxer is strong. The five-speed auto is fine in this guise, but having a manual tranny might make the driving experience a bit more engaging. 

On the downside, one would expect the fuel economy to be a bit better than the 21 mpg that I saw. And if this were my daily driver, I'd sure like a little more sound insulation to absorb some of the tire noise and wind noise that creeps into the cabin.

As I said, this is not a shining star--it doesn't have the sparkle of say, an Impreza WRX--but it is solid, comfortable transportation.

AUTOWEEK.COM EDITOR DALE JEWETT: The ride quality, combined with the leather-covered interior, can make you think that Subaru has decided to start building luxury cars.

The six-cylinder in this car has some grunt--it loves to pull away sharply from stops. The transmission shifts crisply, and if you want to go aggressive on the throttle it holds onto each gear a bit longer for gusto rather than pushing for fuel economy. As Roger notes, it seemed to me that the gas gauge moved more than I expected for the limited amount of seat time I had in the car.

One small complaint: I never did figure out how to manipulate the buttons and the screen to keep the display on the radio information. All I could get was the navigation map, with a short display of some radio data in a popup bar across the top of the monitor when stations were changed. If I owned this car, I'd figure that out or be pretty cheesed off.

2012 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited

 

Base Price: $29,345

As-Tested Price: $32,409

Drivetrain: 3.6-liter H6; AWD, five-speed automatic

Output: 256 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 247 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,557 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 20/21.5 mpg

Options: Option package 08, including power moonroof, navigation system with voice-activated control, 440-watt nine-speaker Harman/Kardon premium sound system, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM stereo with CD/DVD player, rear-vision camera and auxiliary audio USB/iPod port ($2,995); all-weather floor mats ($69)

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