Subaru Legacy Tops CR’s List Of 7 Midsize Cars With Refined Rides

Are you looking for a refined ride?

Do you want a smooth ride, a quiet interior, supportive seats, comfortable seats, a driving position, and easy access? You've come to the right place. An updated Consumer Reports (CR, by subscription) scoring of the most comfortable midsize cars says they can all increase the pleasure of driving and keep you safer. 

The 2025 Subaru Legacy is now the best of the top seven picks, making it a unique and exclusive choice in the market. 

Also, check out my best midsize 2-and-3-Row SUV reports for comfort. (Spoiler alert: my 2025 Subaru Outback report is here, and my 2024 Subaru Ascent report is here). They win both categories. 

"Comfort is an important element in driver safety," says Alex Knizek, CR's associate director of auto test development. "You can be more attentive to driving if you're not distracted by a sore back or achy legs. Plus, in a comfortable car, you'll arrive at your destination more refreshed."

Thank you, CR

CR has tested more than 260 new cars, so you don't have to. They then created a comfort score to show which model is the best. I'm glad they did the heavy lifting; now, here are their results. 

Comfort can mean many things.

CR defines comfort by how well the car muffles road and wind noise, how well your body fits in the driver's seat, and how much effort it takes to get in and out of the car and reach and use the controls. 

Consumer Reports' comfort score is based on a comprehensive evaluation of six factors: ride, noise, driving position, usability, seat comfort, and access. Each factor is rated on a scale, and the overall score is a reflection of how well the car performs in these areas.

You can't find a vehicle's real-life comfort on a short test drive at the dealer. 

You have to live with the vehicle for a while. That's what CR does. Ratings for these factors are based on scores from testers of different heights and sizes who drive thousands of miles. 

You don't have to buy a luxury car to get a refined ride.

CR says, "It's also a mistake to think that comfort is a luxury."

Consumer Reports seven top recommended midsize cars ($35,000 - $45,000) with the highest comfort scores. All are mainstream (non-luxury) models. 

1. Subaru Legacy - 80
2. Honda Accord Hybrid - 76
3. Honda Accord - 75
4. Nissan Altima - 74
5. Toyota Crown - 73
6. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid - 68
7. Hyundai Sonata - 67

What does CR say about the Legacy's unique features?

"Subaru's well-rounded Legacy is distinguished from its competitors by its ride quality. Its suspension soaks up bumps and potholes with a fluidity unmatched by some luxury cars. The cabin stays relatively quiet in everyday driving, while the turbo engine in the top versions can generate heaps of power without excessive noise. (The standard engine can get reasonably loud under hard acceleration.)" 

"The roomy driving position accommodates most body types well, with plentiful headroom, cushy armrests, and a well-designed, lightly padded cutout area that gives a bit of extra space for the driver's right knee and the passenger's left knee. We recommend the midlevel Limited trim, which has supportive power-adjustable leather front seats for the driver and passenger. 

Visibility all-around is very good, so there's no neck strain when checking a blind spot or reversing."

There's more that makes Legacy comfortable.

Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard on all new Legacy trim levels. This will make your drive more comfortable. All you have to do is set the adaptive cruise control, which eases driver fatigue—an often overlooked feature. Read my EyeSight report here.

The Legacy also comes with the Subaru Starlink 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system for infotainment, including standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility with a full-screen display. 

A heated steering wheel and seats add more comfort and are now standard on all upper trim levels. 

I would say that Legacy's excellent Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system provides a high level of comfort, especially when the roads are snowy or icy. Have you driven in inclement weather and felt uneasy? You won't in the Legacy. Read my report here to find out more.

What is the 2025 Legacy pricing?

There's no price increase on 2025 models except for the Limited. For the 2025 model year, the Legacy sedan comes in five trim levels, each offering great value for money: base ($26,040), Premium ($28,340), Limited ($35,150), Sport ($35,640), and Touring XT ($39,340). Destination and delivery fees are included in the price above ($1,145).

The Legacy Limited increased by +$2,115. A power moonroof, DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, navigation, and a 360-degree heated steering wheel are now standard on Limited trims.

What's next for Legacy?

In case you have yet to hear...

The Subaru Legacy, a long-standing favorite in the U.S., is reaching its final chapter. The 2025 Subaru Legacy is here, but only for a short while. After the 2025 model year, the Legacy sedan will be discontinued. 

Once the last 2025 Legacy midsize sedan leaves the assembly line later this year or early next year, it will be part of history. 

So, if you want the most comfortable midsize sedan, Consumer Reports says the 2025 Subaru Legacy is your top pick among all midsize models you can buy. 

Are you sad to see the Subaru Legacy go? Will you be buying the most comfortable Legacy ever before it goes away forever? Click on the Add New Comment red link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru