USED: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport: Why This AWD Car is the Coolest Road Trip Sedan

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarulegacyonroute66
The 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport in Crimson Red Pearl on Route 66. Photo: Kymri Wilt

Really, road trip in a sedan? Yup! 

I’ll be the first to admit, sedans don’t generally excite me. I’m much more inclined to go for something sporty or luxurious over something practical, even an AWD car. So when I was invited to drive-review the 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport, I was pleasantly surprised to experience such a comfortable, classy, and sporty ride all in one unpretentious vehicle. The Crimson Red Pearl paint color hinted of a bit more flash to be discovered…and indeed, there was plenty!

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A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarulegacysport
Feeling classy and sporty with this unpretentious Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport sedan. Photo: Kymri Wilt

I’d read that the Subaru Legacy was engineered “for the long road ahead.” While that is meant as a testament to the longevity of Subarus, with models still on the road after 10 years, I decided to put it to the test literally. Route 66 from Los Angeles to Albuquerque is a good long road, so I set out on a solo road trip. The 2018 Subaru Legacy proved to be hands-down the most comfortable vehicle I’ve ever driven for long stretches at a time.

Standard Feature: Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive

So what’s special about the 2018 Subaru Legacy sedan? Probably most significant is the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. In fact, it’s the only midsize sedan with Symmetrical AWD as a standard feature.

That means the power is balanced between all four tires, providing engagement with the road and quick responsiveness. For the most part my drive didn’t entail much in the way of severe weather conditions. But a sudden downpour of hail as I was going through a mountain pass was enough for it to demonstrate a safe and reliable connection with the road.

The rest of the time, I experienced maximized acceleration with the gripping traction of all four wheels. It’s nice to be in a sedan and have good reliable accelerating power entering the highway.

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A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarulegacystarlink
Subaru Legacy Starlink 8.0 Multimedia system 8-inch hi-res multi-touch display with STARLINK Cloud Apps. Photo: Kymri Wilt

Sound Insulation Glass and Amazing Audio System

Once the windows were rolled up and I was on my way, the ride was remarkably quiet! That’s because the 2018 Legacy comes standard with front door sound insulation glass.

It really made a difference, especially on the freeway. I think other drivers on the road could appreciate it too, for they didn’t have to listen to me singing with the (optional) Sirius XM All Access Radio. I love to sing while I drive, especially when there’s an awesome audio system. I felt like I was in my very own recording studio! No doubt others would just assume I’m having a very animated hands-free conversation since, from the outside, they couldn’t hear anything happening on the inside. That’s pretty impressive glass to be sure.

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A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarulegacyac
Dual-zone automatic climate control system keeps the Subaru Legacy cool. Photo: Kymri Wilt

The Cool Factor(s)

Perhaps it was because I was driving through the southwest in mid-summer, or perhaps the air-conditioning in this car just totally rocks, but I was blown away (in a refreshing, literal sense, too)! After the car had been parked outdoors in over 100 degrees heat, the A/C powerfully cooled the interior to a pleasant temperature by the time I was backing up.

A key feature of the Legacy 2.5i Sport is the dual-zone climate control system, allowing a passenger to adjust their temperature setting independently of the driver. Plus, I could flip down a back seat to cool items in the trunk, surprisingly effective with the backseat A/C vents.

For when it’s cool outside, drivers will appreciate the all-weather package, which includes heated front seats (back seat heating can be added), heated exterior mirrors, and de-icing windshield wipers. The mirrors were easily adjusted by power controls, and had integrated turn signals as well as blind spot detection (optional package).

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarulegacyroadtriponroute66
Subaru Legacy is a comfortable sporty road trip worthy sedan with sound insulating glass. Photo: Kymri Wilt

Regardless of the climate, feeling cool in a Subaru was effortless. The Legacy 2.5i Sport comes with a Power Moonroof, which is always a contributing factor to an enjoyable drive.

I especially loved being illuminated by a full moon, and having a full view of the Arizona skies and clouds. Additionally, the black 18-inch alloy wheels, sport grille, and sport trunk spoiler complete the look of a sedan that pushes the edge of ordinary well into the coolness zone.

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarustarlinknavigation
The STARLINK 8.0 Multimedia Navigation System is responsive to touch and voice commands. Photo: Kymri Wilt

Most Helpful Features 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology – Like having an extra set of eyes, two forward-facing cameras scan the road to monitor traffic activity. When driving solo, this technology lets you drive with confidence. It maintains distance to the vehicle ahead of you when using adaptive cruise control. The car ahead slows down, and the Subaru reacts without you having to tap the brake. Pre-collision braking is added security, though I never had to test it. I did, however, appreciate the Lane Departure and Sway Warning provided with Lane Keep Assist. Every warning displays right on the dash, providing a great visual monitor of where I was in the lane and in relation to other vehicles on the road.
  • STARLINK 8.0 Multimedia Navigation System is a comprehensive option neatly packaged in an 8-inch hi-resolution display. The navigation maps worked as they would on a smart device, allowing you to zoom, swipe, or rotate the display. Better yet, the hands-free voice command navigation was perhaps the smoothest interface I’ve experienced in a vehicle. The direction-giving volume was perfect, quieting the music to the background just enough to clearly hear the directions.
  • STARLINK smartphone integration via Bluetooth allows hands-free phone calls, music, and will even read incoming texts if set to do so.

Subaru Legacy “For the Long Road Ahead”

I drove very long distances for very long periods at a time. I was able to track both my time and miles. In the end I had averaged 33.3 MPG, mostly highway, but some city driving, too. The 2018 Subaru Legacy surprised me with how effortless it was to cover so much road.

I was extremely comfortable! My back never got sore, as I was able to make adjustments to the driver’s seat, from adjusting the incline and seat position to lumbar support.

I was reminded to take a break! I don’t know how or where this was set or controlled, but I would get an alert when I had been driving over 2 hours since the last stop. It was a welcome reminder to stop for a coffee, take in a viewpoint, or stretch my legs and give my driving eyes a rest.

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarulegacyinterior
The spacious interior of the 2018 Subaru Legacy – comfortable with everything right at hand. Photo: Kymri Wilt

I had everything I needed right at hand! The center console easily housed my purse, two beverages, and a nook with USB charging port for my cellphone. Controls for adjusting things like climate, cruise control, and music were intuitively integrated in the steering wheel. And voice-command functions kept my hands from ever having to leave the steering wheel. Except to sip my coffee, of course!

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarulegacytrunkspace
15 Cubic feet of trunk volume in the 2018 Subaru Legacy. Photo: Kymri Wilt

What I Loved:

  • Spacious and Roomy: 100.9 cubic feet of passenger volume; 15 cubic feet of trunk volume. Comfort-inducing 10-way power driver’s seat.
  • Keyless Access and Push Button Start
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • Incredible audio system
  • Sound insulating glass

Video Tour of the 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport

What You Need to Know

The specific model I drove was the Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport, with a base price of $26,345. The optional package including EyeSight, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking, High Beam Assist, and STARLINK Navigation was an additional $2,095. Even with destination and delivery charges, the total price still came in under $30,000, at $29,300.

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Sport: Why This Awd Car Is The Coolest Road Trip Sedan - Subarulegacy 2647
The 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport with features as shown priced at $29,300. Photo: Kymri Wilt

Disclosure: Subaru provided the Legacy for my test drive. All opinions are my own.

Kymri WIlt
Kymri WIlt

Based in Cardiff by the Sea, California, Kymri is a freelance travel photographer, writer, and videographer. Between travels, she enjoys surfing, hiking with her family and dog, and yes, driving. She is equally happy taking long road trips as she is commuting on southern California freeways, and has a particular interest in hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel vehicles.

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