The all-new Legacy continues to nudge its way into the mainstream, as Subaru nips at the heels of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry with its flagship sedan. Actually, the Legacy stands out quite well in this competitive market, without sacrificing the quirk that’s integral to its history. The Legacy may be handsome and reliable but it’s still powered by Subaru’s smooth boxer engines and features all-wheel drive.
Subaru’s got the powertrain down, so the new Legacy focuses on style and technology. A more refined interior provides more passenger room without an increase in exterior size, and interior materials have been improved. Heated seats front and rear and an available Harman-kardon sound system provide an upscale interior environment. Subaru has quieted the interior down, added a sportier binocular-style instrument panel and improved the Legacy’s infotainment capability. Subaru’s STARLINK infotainment system provides smartphone access to Aha and Pandora music services, and an available 6.2-inch display makes it all easy to control. Driver aid technology is similarly improved, with Subaru’s EyeSight stereo camera leading the way. Adaptive cruise control and front collision braking are handled by the EyeSight cameras, while radar takes care of the blind spot monitor, lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Subaru also offers steering-responsive fog lights that turn with the front wheels.
The new exterior styling was reliably predicted by the concept that was shown in Los Angeles. The new Legacy has a bigger and bolder grille, and retains a strong and upright look. LED accents on the headlights give the car a nighttime face similar to that of the WRX, and the rising beltline is a Subaru hallmark. The roofline is lower, and the front end is more prominent while improving aerodynamic efficiency. Active grille shutters help to improve fuel economy.
The push for efficiency has been effective: the new Legacy gets up to 36mpg on the highway. Four- and six-cylinder boxer engines are offered, as in the past. The 2.5 liter four-cylinder produces 175 horsepower, and the 3.6 liter six-cylinder ups the output to 256 horsepower. Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable automatic transmission is standard in all Legacy models, as is all-wheel drive, naturally. The Legacy’s Active Torque Vectoring was borrowed from the WRX and STI to improve stability in poor weather.
The new Legacy goes on sale this summer.
