Here you have the Subaru Legacy.
Sales wise, it’s an also-ran in the midsize or family sedan segment, if you will; mostly
purchased by northeasterners looking for a traditional car they can drive confidently
on bad roads.
But having spent the week with this all-new 2015 Legacy, I’d say it’s the most mainstream
vehicle Subaru has ever produced and that’ll resonate with a broader audience.Subaru is
a brand on fire.
The champion of all-wheel drive and an active lifestyle continues its push from the backwoods
into suburbia.
They know they’ve got the camping, dog-loving crowd wrapped around their tires but this
sixth-generation Legacy is all about expanding appeal.
Though the conservative styling is completely anonymous, it’s not ugly and for Subaru
that’s a step in the right direction.
It clearly bears a resemblance to the Ford Taurus.
Its body size has hardly changed, but there’s more room inside where it counts, like back
here.
Leg room is right up there near the top of the midsize segment and the trunk’s 15 cubic
feet is equally competitive.
So the Legacy’s undersized criticisms are now in the past.Subaru’s interiors typically
feel cheap, which is why I’m pleasantly surprised by the highly cushioned, soft-leather
touch points for your arms.
And though its design won’t wow anybody, the attention to detail and overall quality
feels several notches up.When shopping Legacy, you can choose from 4 models and this here
is the 2.5i Limited – the top ranking 4-cylinder car with a starting MSRP of $27,290.
There’s one big option package in here which adds a moonroof, keyless access with push
button start, a navigation system integrated into the new Starlink touchscreen and the
upgraded EyeSight driver assist system.
Using new color stereo cameras, EyeSight bundles Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking,
Lane Departure Warning and the never before seen Steering Responsive Fog Lights – a
poor man’s adaptive headlights, of sorts; providing enhanced illumination in turns by
activating them independently when the fog lights are in their off position.
Combine those safety perks with a new rear radar system, and you’ve also got Rear Vehicle
Detection, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
And there’re new front seat-cushion airbags to boot, helping keep occupants in place in
a frontal collision.You often hear criticisms about the dreaded CVT or continuously variable
transmission but not in here.
Subaru’s Lineartronic version in this Legacy is likely the best in the industry by feeling
most like a traditional automatic.
And in general, this car feels very much the part of a driver’s car.
The steering has a very accurate touch with a good sense of straight ahead, the Boxer
engine’s responsiveness has been spread across a broader RPM range, and the all-wheel
drive system now incorporates torque vectoring for improved handling.
It is indeed a fun car to have on the back roads.
But if there is but one problem it’s that the Legacy refuses to start off smoothly…I
don’t care how gentle you are in applying the gas takeoff is always a bit abrupt.The
2.5-liter engine’s 175 horsepower is a smidge higher than before but if it’s speed you’re
after the 3.6-liter engine awaits – because the Legacy is likely the slowest to 60mph
in the class, taking almost 9 seconds.
It feels much quicker though once you’re in the midrange.
The double wishbone rear suspension adds to the nimbleness but the Legacy’s ride quality
isn’t as forgiving as some other new entries I’ve driven recently.
With an aluminum hood and Active Grille Shutters among other efficiencies, gas mileage has
improved from 27mpg to 30mpg combined and my own results show 31mpg – stellar for
an all-wheel drive car.
But for those of you searching for the stick shift option – sorry, it’s the CVT or
the highway this time around.The Legacy has matured.
It’s quieter and feels more substantial.
Quality is improved, it’s more spacious and though the GT model is no longer this
2.5i Limited always gave me a reason to want to take the road less traveled.
MSRP as tested is $30,580 – a strong price point for a Subaru better armed to compete
with the heavy hitters.