Subaru has been on top of its game recently with both the delightfully tossable BR-Z and razor-sharp WRX impressing much of the motoring world. Continuing its streak of excellence, Subaru announced its redesigned 2015 Subaru Legacy at this week’s 2014 Chicago Auto Show. It is a sleek, stunning vehicle with practicality to match.
Styling is simultaneously contemporary and in good keeping with Subaru’s design past. The front headlamps with optional LED running light accents simply scream WRX, but the wide wraparound taillights harken back to the previous generation Legacy. Like some Subarus of the past, the C-pillar remains fairly sloped, something that will compromise rear headroom. The handsome side dimension almost echoes that of a current Hyundai Sonata, a feature that may put off Subie enthusiasts but may help the Legacy’s sales numbers.
Engine choices still remain between an H-4 and an H-6. The base engine is a 2.5-liter boxer-four that produces 175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, earning an impressive 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. An interesting feature in 4-cylinder models is Subaru‘s new active grille shutters, which can open or close based on vehicle speed and improve aerodynamics and fuel economy.
Performance-oriented buyers can opt for the Legacy 3.6R Limited, sporting a 3.6-liter H-6 good for 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy numbers decline to 20 and 28 with the addition of the H-6. The only transmission choice is Subaru’s new CVT, which, despite stigma, performed well in TFLcar’s recent review of the WRX. All-wheel-drive, of course, comes standard on all models, providing sure-footedness for on-road safety and for superior grip during spirited driving.
A host of cutting-edge features make their way onto the 2015 Subaru Legacy. Most prominent is the standard 6.2-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth compatibility, a USB port, and a built-in backup camera. Standard, too, is active torque vectoring for improved handling on canyon roads. Many luxury and safety features are also available on the latest iteration of the Legacy. LED light accents, heated front and rear seats, a 12-speaker Harmon/Kardon system, and navigation will all be among the new options for the Legacy.
Most importantly, however, is Subaru’s EyeSight camera safety system, still set to be an option on the 2015 Subaru Legacy. Using a camera with perfect depth perception, the EyeSight will allow the Legacy to activate its adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and collision prevention systems in the blink of an eye, something that will certainly aid the car’s IIHS safety ratings.
Expect the 2015 Subaru Legacy to hit dealerships by summer 2014, with the base-model starting around $23,000 and the high-spec 3.6R Limited coming in at just under $30,000.
Please enjoy this TFLcar.com video of the Subaru Legacy concept’s debut at last year’s LA Auto Show.
