Stylists at the Exploding Galaxy have tweaked the front end of their Outback and Legacy models for 2023, with a wide-mouth mason grille now bookended by redesigned LED headlamps. There’s also a smattering of new technology, all of which the company figures is worth a $1,000 price hike.
And, in the fine print, we learned Subaru is now charging different Destination & Delivery charges for different states.
Oddly, none of the new design features are making their way onto the jacked-up Wilderness trim, perhaps in an effort to either further differentiate it from the pack or simply because its natty orange addenda doesn’t play nicely with the new styling. At any rate, non-Wilderness examples now get expanded black wheel-arch cladding, a mystifying new design trend at Subaru that sometimes looks as if someone shaded in the wrong parts of a paint-by-number picture.
The company says they’ve given their EyeSight driver assistance tech a rethink, apparently permitting it to operate more smoothly overall and in a greater range of road conditions. Improvements are said to be the result of a wider field of view, updated control software, and the addition of an electric brake booster. It’s not immediately clear if all cars get the wider field of view since it is noted that only the top-level Touring trim adds a so-called Wide-Angle Mono Camera in addition to the dual-cam EyeSight system. This permits the thing to recognize pedestrians and bicycles sooner when the vehicle enters an intersection at low speed, sounding an alert and stabbing the brakes if necessary.
Inside, cars fitted with the 11.6-inch Starlink infotainment touchscreen now enjoy wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a feature one doesn’t really know they want until they use it. Subaru also boasts of ‘improved on-screen controls’ for this screen, which must surely be better than the oft-befuddling displays currently in use. The weirdo dual 7-inch information display is still standard kit on base models.
One other change? The blacked-out Onyx trim is now available with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer which produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque instead of just the 2.4L turbo which makes 260 hp and 277 units of twist. Guess someone at Subaru clued into the fact that some customers just wanted the Onyx appearance; sans turbo, they’ll save roughly $5,000, which is no small chunk of change. The turbo engine is also available in the Limited XT and Touring XT trims. Everything gets all-wheel drive and a CVT.
Interestingly, Subaru is one of the first OEMs this author has noted charging different destination & delivery charges depending on the state in which the car is delivered. The fee is $1,020 for Legacy and $1,225 for Outback but “may vary” in CT, HI, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, and VT. And if you’re in Alaska, tack on an extra $150 regardless.
The 2023 Outback and Legacy will be available at Subaru dealers this autumn.
[Images: Subaru]
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Subaru always had some aesthetic issues. Some things never change.
How much longer does Legacy sedan survive? Last time I checked the volume was pretty weak.
To be fair, the Legacy is probably one of the best (abet overlooked) mid-sized sedans left in the market. Comfortable, great fuel economy, and Subaru’s AWD to boot. If I was in the market for a mid-full size sedan I’d be taking a close look at it.
Horrible shades of the hideous Lexus Billy Bigmouth Bass gaping maw (and I love my ‘17 OB Touring 3.6R).
Oh my God stop adding MORE PLASTIC.
I agree, but molded plastic is cheaper than the metal or other materials it replaces. Bean counters used to mandate substitutes to meet the price point, but now substitutions must be made to counter higher costs of other materials formerly used.
Geez, a whole $1K more, what, 3%? Out-bloody-rageous! Harumph.
A tub of margarine has gone up by 25% in the last three months.
Blame world oil prices, at least for the margarine!
The Outback’s “styling” tweaks featuring a jigsaw puzzle of cladding and a front end which looks like designers literally tried to design its front end to look like Tony Stark’s face are irredeemable. What’s sad is the Legacy’s front clip, although hideous on a otherwise plain boxy sedan, would’ve actually been decently attractive on the Outback.
It’s almost as if Subaru execs have an inside bet going on to see how ugly they can make their cars before they’re unsaleable.
Well at least they didn’t make it overwrought and busy. Oh wait…..
Oof, that is not an attractive car. I’m starting to feel like Principal Skinner – am I so out of touch that car design has turned repulsive? No, it’s the designers who are wrong.
Im convinced that the reason why Jeep Wranglers still sell is because they’re the only modern car that isn’t over styled.
Certainly not an improvement looks-wise. Not sure why they think the drippy front is attractive. And despite their collaboration with Toyota, they disappointingly don’t have a hybrid yet.
Since Subaru is a cult, they should charge even more. Maybe have membership levels (say, “Operating Thetan Level II”). Trust me, the customers will LOVE it.
Many BAD apples spoil the whole bunch.
Just four days ago, my 78 year old brother and his 81 year old wife went “looking” due to a tempting ad they received from their local CJD dealership. ( 0% financing snagged them in)
The dealership belonged to a mega-chain that brought their heavyweight sellers in from South Florida in to help with the sale.
They looked at a brand new 2wd Ram Laramie truck.
After the test drive and hooking my brothers phone up to the Bluetooth they started working on paperwork.
They brought out a contract ( after making them wait for hours) with a $68k MSRP and more addons you could shake a stick at – extended Warranty, prepaid maintenance, gap and life insurance
Bottom Line with Financing-
$99800
Payments. Of $1390 for 72 months
They never saw a Monroney and when they called to ask me about the “deal” I found the VIN online and the actual MSRP was $55600
The finance
Person kept rushing them to sign the papers since it was almost 11pm!!
Sounds like the ole stereotypes were TRUE in this case.
Thank goodness they went back a few days later and, instead, bought a 3 year old Cherokee with a similar payment that they had on their old Jeep.