Is the Subaru Legacy good for road trips?

Yes. The Legacy is a solid road-trip companion thanks to its standard all-wheel drive, comfortable seating, and roomy trunk, all of which help with long-haul comfort and versatility on family getaways or cross-country drives.

As Subaru's midsize sedan, the Legacy balances highway manners with practical space. This article examines why it shines on long drives, what to watch for, and how to make the most of it on a road trip.

Why the Legacy works for long trips

Before listing the key strengths, a quick look at what matters most for road trips: ride quality, traction, space, and technology that keeps you comfortable and alert on the road.

• Standard all-wheel drive on every trim, which improves traction on wet or snow-covered highways and provides confident handling in varied weather.


• Comfortable seating with supportive cushions for long hours behind the wheel and in the back seat.


• Smooth highway ride and relatively quiet cabin, helping fatigue over thousands of miles.


• Practical interior with roughly 15 cubic feet of trunk space and 60/40-split rear seats to expand cargo when needed.


• Easy-to-use infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus accessible controls for navigation, music, and calls.


• EyeSight driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, which add convenience and safety on long trips.

Overall, these elements combine to make the Legacy a comfortable and confident choice for road trips, especially when winter or rain are part of the travel plan.

What to consider before taking a road trip in a Legacy

Every car has strengths and caveats, and the Legacy is no exception. Here are a few factors travelers often weigh when planning long drives.

• Fuel economy: In mixed driving, the Legacy's 2.5-liter engine with all-wheel drive typically lands in the mid-20s to high-20s mpg, with highway performance tending toward the upper 30s depending on year and configuration.


• Performance: Acceleration is adequate for highway merging and overtakes, but it isn't a sport sedan; if you anticipate high-speed mountain passes, plan accordingly.


• Cargo space: The trunk is roomy for a sedan, but may be smaller than wagons or SUVs for very large trips or gear-heavy itineraries; folding rear seats help when needed.


• Ride and noise: Most drivers find the ride comfortable on highway surfaces, though tire choice can influence road noise and refinement.


• Off-road capability: Not designed for rough terrain; best suited to paved roads and light gravel, if at all.

These considerations help frame expectations: the Legacy remains a practical, comfortable option for long drives, with the caveat that it won't match an SUV for cargo flexibility or a performance sedan for speed.

Best trims and options for road trips

Which Legacy configurations deliver the best balance of comfort and value for road-trippers? The following trims and features are commonly favored for long-distance driving.

• Standard and mid-level trims offer comfortable seating and essential tech, including a solid infotainment system and EyeSight safety suite.


• Limited and Touring trims add leather seating, improved climate control, and more ergonomic driver controls for longer stints behind the wheel.


• All trims with EyeSight include features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, which help reduce fatigue on multi-hour drives.


• Consider any available convenience packages that include heated seats or a heated steering wheel for colder trips.

With these configurations, you maximize comfort without overpaying for features you won't use on a typical road trip.

Summary

The Subaru Legacy stands out as a capable road-trip sedan thanks to standard AWD, a comfortable, quiet ride, and versatile cargo that suits family travel and long weekends away. While its acceleration is not its strongest suit and cargo space is more modest than an SUV, the Legacy offers reliability, safety tech, and practical everyday usability that help reduce travel fatigue. For those prioritizing more cargo space or off-road capability, compare with wagons or SUVs like the Outback; otherwise, the Legacy remains a solid, sensible choice for road trips.

Which Subaru is best for road trips?

The best Subaru for road trips depends on your needs, with the Outback being a top all-around choice for its spaciousness, standard AWD, and cargo capacity. The Forester is also excellent, offering a spacious cabin, good fuel efficiency, and versatility for various terrains. For larger groups, the three-row Ascent provides ample space, while the compact Crosstrek is ideal for those prioritizing maneuverability and fuel efficiency.
 
Subaru Outback

• Best for: The quintessential road trip, balancing comfort, capability, and cargo space. 
• Key features: Spacious interior, standard roof rails for extra gear, impressive fuel economy (up to 33 mpg on the highway), and standard AWD with X-MODE for various terrains. 
• Comfort: Tuned suspension for a smooth ride, especially on rough roads. 

Subaru Forester

• Best for: Versatile performance on and off paved roads, with a focus on comfort and ground clearance. 
• Key features: High ground clearance, spacious and comfortable cabin, and excellent visibility with large windows. 
• Capability: Standard all-wheel drive makes it capable of handling various terrains and weather conditions. 

Subaru Ascent

• Best for: Families or groups needing maximum passenger and cargo space.
• Key features: Three-row seating for up to eight passengers.
• Comfort and safety: Ample cargo space and advanced safety features for a safe and enjoyable journey for everyone. 

Subaru Crosstrek

• Best for: Solo travelers or small groups who want a capable, more compact, and fuel-efficient option.
• Key features: Compact size makes it easy to maneuver.
• Capability: High ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive allow it to handle rough roads and light off-roading. 

Are subarus good for long distance driving?

Subaru models are renowned for their reliability, comfort, and rugged capabilities, making them ideal for long journeys across diverse terrains. Whether you crave spacious interiors, advanced safety, superior ground clearance, or smooth rides, Subaru has a model tailored to your road trip needs.

Which is better, Toyota Camry or Subaru Legacy?

The Subaru Legacy is a better choice for drivers prioritizing standard all-wheel drive and a more spacious, refined interior with superior sound insulation. The Toyota Camry offers a sportier design, a more budget-friendly starting price (for its base model), and a wider array of standard safety features on some trims, like Road Sign Assist. The best choice depends on your needs for performance, space, and specific features.
 
This video compares the features and performance of the Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry: 55sMorrie's Brooklyn Park NissanYouTube · Jul 21, 2014
Subaru Legacy advantages

• Standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD): AWD is standard on all Legacy trims, providing better traction and grip in various conditions. 
• More interior space: The Legacy has more passenger volume, legroom, and shoulder room than the Camry. 
• Quieter cabin: The Legacy is designed for a quieter ride with features like sound-damping windshields and thick side windows on certain trims. 
• Larger infotainment screen option: Higher trims offer an available 11.6-inch touchscreen, which is larger than the Camry's maximum 9-inch display. 
• More cargo space: The Legacy provides a slightly larger trunk. 
• Lower starting price: The base model Legacy may have a lower starting price compared to the base Camry. 

Toyota Camry advantages

• Sportier design: The Camry is known for a more dynamic and sporty exterior appearance. 
• More standard safety features: Some Camry trims come standard with features not always available on the Legacy, like the Road Sign Assist system. 
• Potentially lower cost for optional features: It can be more affordable to add some optional features like heated steering wheels or ventilated front seats. 
• Wider availability of AWD: While standard on the Legacy, AWD can be optioned on more Camry trims, and it is available on the base engine. 

Which one should you choose?

• Choose the Subaru Legacy if: You need standard AWD, want more interior space, a quieter ride, and prefer a more luxurious feel, especially on higher trims. 
• Choose the Toyota Camry if: You prefer a sportier design, need access to a wider variety of optional features at a lower cost, or want specific standard safety features like Road Sign Assist. 

What are the cons of a Subaru Legacy?

6) CVT Transmission can be a bit jerky at times. 7) Quality issues in the engine, it had a rattle from day-1 when started cold after sitting for a day or more. 8) Subaru constantly sends driving data from the car and there's no options to participate. Was this review helpful?