Subaru Legacy is The Worst Performing Carline - Is It Time To Drop The Sedan?
Subaru of America reported it only delivered 1,610 new 2022 Legacy sedans to customers in July. The Legacy is the worst performance carline in the Camden, N.J. automaker's all-wheel-drive lineup. The Legacy dropped 32.3 percent in July compared with July 2021, when it sold 2,375 models. Through the first seven months of this year, SOA has only sold 13,945 Legacy sedans, a drop of 8.9 percent compared to 2021.
Subaru customers have shifted to the Japanese automaker's all-wheel-drive SUVs like the Outback, which has a similar footprint but offers more utility than a sedan. The 2022 Outback is Subaru of America's top-selling model, with 85,979 midsize SUVs delivered to its U.S. customers.
The 2022 Subaru Impreza compact sedan and hatchback with 2,228 sales and the 2022 WRX with 2,530 models delivered to performance customers had more sales in July than the Legacy.
The drop in sales is not because of fuel mileage; the Legacy is fuel efficient. With gas prices rising this summer (AAA average price is $4.06), the Legacy gets outstanding fuel mileage.
The EPA says the Legacy XT 2.4-liter turbocharged engine returns an estimated 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 27 combined mpg. The standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-4 engine gets an EPA estimated fuel economy of 27/35 mpg city/highway and 30 combined mpg.
Subaru of America isn't giving up on the Legacy sedan
Subaru of America announced the 2023 Legacy sedan will get new upgrades with a redesigned front fascia, the latest version of EyeSight safety technology, and redesigned LED headlights. Subaru also updated Legacy's multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other new upgrades for 2023
The 2023 Legacy Sport trim now comes standard with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. A new wide-angle Mono Camera is added to the 2023 Legacy Touring XT trim level. Subaru will drop the Limited XT trim level.
What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Legacy? All 2023 Legacy trim levels get a significant price increase over the outgoing model.
The 2023 Legacy sedan now comes in five trim levels. We have included the price increase on each trim after the new pricing. The 2023 midsize sedan starts at $25,415 (+$925) for the base trim, Premium ($27,715 +$975), Limited ($32,465 +$1,025), Sport with new 2.4-liter turbo engine ($34,915 +$4,630), and Touring XT ($38,715 +$1,025). Destination and delivery fees are included in the pricing above ($1,020 +$25).
Even though sales of the 2022 Legacy have been dropping this year, U.S. customers will get an upgraded sedan. Subaru says they aren't giving up on the Legacy. The refreshed 2023 Subaru Legacy midsize sedan will arrive in U.S. showrooms this fall.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Subaru USA