2013 Subaru Legacy at the 2012 New York International Auto Show

• Competes with: Ford Fusion, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Camry  
• Looks like: The Legacy grows a pair of eyes  
• Drivetrain: 173-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or CVT; 256-hp, 3.6-liter six-cylinder with five-speed automatic 
• Hits dealerships: This summer

For the 2013 model year, the Subaru Legacy gets a mild refresh with a slightly redesigned front end, a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder and automatic transmission, and a driver-assist safety program, which includes stereo-vision cameras. Unfortunately for performance junkies, the turbocharged 2.5GT, with its 265-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and six-speed manual, has been dropped for 2013.

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Up front, the 2013 Subaru Legacy gets new headlights, grille, fog light and bumper designs that tie in better with the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza.

The big news for the 2013 Legacy is its new base four-cylinder. It is Subaru’s third-generation boxer engine and features new advancements like dual-overhead-cams; it first debuted on the 2011 Subaru Forester. The four-cylinder also can be equipped with a second-generation continuously variable automatic transmission. Subaru expects the new setup to achieve 24/32/27 mpg city/highway/combined, compared to 23/31/26 mpg for the 2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5i with a CVT.

The Legacy’s chassis has also been reworked, giving the model a smoother and quieter ride, according to Subaru.

Another big area of improvement is the model’s added safety features. The Legacy now uses adaptive cruise control, a precollision braking system, and lane departure and sway warning systems. All of the systems tie into a pair of cameras that lend the vehicle stereo vision, which can detect pedestrians; Subaru calls the safety tech, Eyesight. At less than 19 mph, the system can detect pedestrians and take pre-emptive actions to prevent an accident, according to Consumer Reports. Volvo’s City Safe and Mercedes’ Pre-Safe do the same thing, more or less, but Subaru says its Eyesight system will be one of the most affordable options available. Other safety additions include a brake override system that’s standard on all Legacys.

In the cabin, the Legacy Limited gets a new rear-seat air vent outlet. Limited models also get a new electroluminescent instrument cluster with a 3.5-inch color screen. A keyless entry system is also available for the model year. All Legacys now get standard Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming.

The 2013 Legacy goes on sale this summer.