2022 Subaru Legacy Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

Subaru is known for making capable and reliable vehicles, and the Legacy is one of the company's sedans that has had a lot of success. This car comes with symmetrical all-wheel drive, which is a big selling point because of its enhanced traction. The 2022 Legacy also has a full set of driver-assist systems and an advanced infotainment system.

There are six trims of the Subaru Legacy. The main way in which the top two trims differ from the others is that they have turbocharged engines. Specifically, they use 2.4-liter turbo engines with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The others in the lineup use 2.5-liter engines that can make 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. For an affordably priced sedan, the amount of capability that either engine can deliver is pretty impressive.

Below, more information on each trim will be provided so that customers can decide which one would be best.

Compare the Base Trim vs Premium. What is the difference?

Subaru has decided to make LED steering responsive headlights a standard component. These types of headlights can change their angle depending on whether the car is turning. They can be more effective way at lighting up a dark road, and it's great that even the base trim has this feature. Other exterior elements on the base trim are 17-inch wheels and black side mirrors.

On the Premium trim, there are the same type of wheels. However, the Premium has heated, body-color side mirrors integrated turn signals. It has a de-icer built into its windshield wipers, and it comes with the option to get a power moonroof and LED fog lights.

Inside its cabin, the Premium has a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. It also has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter. Unfortunately, these things are not found on the base trim. Further, the Premium has dual-zone automatic climate control while the entry-level Legacy only has a manually adjustable system.

More differences can be found when examining the technology packages on these first two trims in the Legacy lineup. Both trims have two USB ports in the front, but the Premium has an additional pair of USB ports that rear-seat passengers can access. In addition, the Premium has six speakers instead of the standard four-speaker configuration, and it has Wi-Fi capability. Wi-Fi is something that many households are looking for these days, as they are so used to being able to play online games, video chat with others, and stream content to keep themselves entertained.

Importantly, the Premium has a larger touchscreen than the base trim has. Its touchscreen measures 11.6 inches. In comparison, the base trim has a touchscreen that measures seven inches. This really isn't that small, but size can be important when it comes to touchscreens. Both of the technology packages come with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM, so people can easily stay connected while on the road.

There isn't too much of a distinction between the safety packages on the base trim and Premium. They have automatic high beams and traction control. The standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite comes with adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. The Premium does provide customers with the option to get blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. It can be nice to have an extra pair of eyes looking out for issues, so this may be something that customers will consider.

Another thing that's found on the Premium but not on the base trim is STARLINK Safety and Security. This program gives drivers access to a concierge, roadside assistance, SOS emergency assistance, and automatic collision notification. Through the Subaru app, a user can remotely start the vehicle, get notifications about vehicle diagnostics, pinpoint the location of the Legacy, and more. If there's a teen driver in the family or any type of concern, the app can be used to set up a curfew, a speed limit, and a boundary. Then, the main driver would be alerted if the Legacy is used past curfew, goes over the speed limit, or travels outside the permitted areas.

Compare the Premium vs Sport Trim Levels. What is the difference?

The Sport has a slightly different exterior style than the Premium. It has 18-inch wheels instead of 17-inch ones, and its wheels have a black finish. More black can be found on the side mirrors, which have integrated turn signals. The trunk spoiler adds to the athletic nature of this Legacy, and so do the LED fog lights. Plus, the Sport has a power moonroof that can tilt and slide open.

In the cabin, the Sport has special sport cloth upholstery on its seats. These seats have red contrast stitching so they look more unique and edgy.

There are a few other ways in which the Sport feels a little more upscale than the Premium does. First, it has keyless access. This can be so convenient because it eliminates the need to pull keys out of a pocket and push a button to enter. All someone needs to do is to walk up to the driver's side door and touch the handle to unlock it, as long as the key fob is in close proximity. Push-button start is great to have as well. Pin-code access lets people get into the cabin without having the keys in hand. All three of these elements are optional on the Premium.

The rearview mirror on the Sport has an auto-dimming feature. This can be useful at night when headlights are shining brightly. The mirror has HomeLink, which means that it can be programmed to act as a garage door opener.

There are three additional safety components that the Sport is equipped with. One is reverse automatic braking, which can prevent fender benders that result from not being able to see what's behind the car when backing up. The others are blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These can provide useful information when it's difficult, or impossible, to see in very direction.

Compare the Sport vs Limited Trims. What is the difference?

The Limited, at least in terms of its exterior, is more similar to the Premium than it is to the Sport. Remember that the Sport has a trunk spoiler, moonroof, and black side mirrors. The Limited doesn't have any of those. It does have the option to get a moonroof, and it has body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

The cabin of the Limited stands out because of its high-end amenities. In addition to having heated front seats, it has heated rear outboard seats and an optional heated steering wheel. Its leather upholstery elevates the level of sophistication, and the Limited has power-adjustable front seats and a two-position memory program built into its driver's seat. This memory system is ideal for those times when multiple drivers are taking the wheel.

Navigation is available with the Limited, as it is on the Premium but not the Sport. At the Limited level, the sound system gets upgraded to one that uses a 576-watt GreenEdge amplifier and 12 speakers. Those who love listening to podcasts or music will really appreciate this better sound quality.

The Limited's standard safety package s identical to that of the Sport. However, the Limited has the option get DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. It uses a camera that's been mounted on dashboard, facing the driver, to figure out if the driver's eyes are focused on the road. Alerts will be issues if there are any signs of fatigue or distraction.

Compare the Limited vs Limited XT. What is the difference?

With the Limited XT, the Distraction Mitigation System that was just described becomes standard. Note that it can be easily turned off if people aren't pleased with the idea of a camera watching them while they're driving.

As mentioned at the beginning of this overview, the main advantage of having a Limited XT is that it uses a turbo engine. This engine makes the car quicker to accelerate, and many customers are looking for that extra responsiveness. The XT trims aren't quite as efficient as their counterparts, though. They can earn up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway and 24 miles per gallon in the city. In contrast, the standard engine gives the Legacy an estimated fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon on the highway and 27 miles per gallon in the city.

At the Limited XT level, the power moonroof comes back as a standard feature. The XT trim also has dual stainless steel exhaust outlets and a heated steering wheel. This type of steering wheel can make a cold day just a little bit more comfortable.

The Limited XT has navigation built into its infotainment system. Along with that, it has SiriusX Traffic and Travel Link so that drivers can stay aware of any traffic issues that may affect their route.

Compare the Limited XT vs Touring XT. What is the difference?

At the top of the lineup, the Touring XT has the most to offer. It's very similar to the Limited XT, but it has a few extras that those with refined tastes should appreciate.

It's the only trim that has satin chrome side mirrors, Nappa leather seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Having heating elements in the front seats is fairly commonplace, but having the ventilation is a luxury that comes in handy during the warmer months. Further, Nappa leather is known to be superior to a traditional style of leather; it's quite soft while being very durable, making it perfect for use in a vehicle.

A CD player can be found in the Touring XT. It's actually the only trim to have a CD player, which is interesting. The only other thing that sets the Touring XT apart from the rest of the Legacies is that it has a 180-degree front-view monitor. This monitor can make it easier to get in and out of parking spaces since the driver will actually be able to see how close his/her car is to other objects.

Final Thoughts

If performance is important to a prospective customer, than the options can be narrowed down right away. The Limited XT and Touring XT would be the ones to pick because of their enhanced engines. Out of these two, the Limited XT would be the recommended trim. It feels refined, and though it lacks a few of the items found in the Touring XT, most drivers won't mind this too much.

Many customers looking at the Legacy would be perfectly satisfied with the 2.5-liter engine. In that case, the Premium would be a smart choice. It has a really reasonable cost, and it has comprehensive safety and technology packages that include driver-assist systems, a large touchscreen, and Wi-Fi capability. If someone really wants to, he/she can pay extra to get a moonroof, keyless access, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Even without those features, the Premium has a lot going for it.

Previous Year Trim Configurations:

• 2021 Subaru Legacy Trime Levels