2015 Subaru Legacy debuts in Chicago – full details

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The covers have been pulled off the sixth-gen Subaru Legacy at the ongoing Chicago Auto Show, and the Japanese carmaker has released full details of the rather conservatively-styled sedan.

Measuring 4,796 mm long, 1,839 mm wide and 1,500 mm tall, with a 2,750-mm wheelbase, the new Subaru Legacy weighs between 1,567 and 1,660 kg. It’s touted as the “roomiest Legacy ever,” with the “largest passenger cabin in the mid-size segment” – there’s 2.96 cubic metres of cabin volume and nearly 970 mm of rear legroom.

Motivation comes either from a 2.5 litre flat-four producing 175 hp at 5,800 rpm and 235 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, or a 3.6 litre flat-six developing 256 hp at 6,000 rpm and 334 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm.

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A six-virtual ratio Lineartronic CVT with shift paddles and Symmetrical AWD come as standard. Equipped with Active Valve Control on the intake valves and an Active Grille Shutter, the smaller engine can return a combined fuel economy of 7.8 litres per 100 km. The bigger engine has Dual Active Valve Control, and manages a combined 10.2 litres per 100 km.

The 2015 Subaru Legacy is 10% more aerodynamic than before, thanks in part to a windscreen (acoustic) that has been pulled forward by 50 mm at the base. Also, the bonnet is aluminium and the seating hip points are higher. The 2.5i variant will be available in Standard, Premium and Limited trims in the US, while the 3.6R is only offered in Limited trim.

Limited gives you turn indicators on the door mirrors (optional on Premium), perforated leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat with two memory settings, a four-way power front passenger seat and rear air-con vents. The 3.6R also has HID headlamps and U-shaped LED tail lamps.

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Other features include electric power steering, a rear-view camera, keyless entry and start, hill start and hold assist, 17- or 18-inch alloys, directional fog lamps and welcome lighting. Improving refinement are liquid-filled engine mounts, thicker panels in key areas and more insulating materials. The boot can now hold 425 litres, up from 416 previously.

Quite a lot of progress in the safety department – a new rear radar system (standard on Limited, optional on Premium) makes possible Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The optional EyeSight system uses stereo camera tech to provide Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure Warning.

A new roll-over sensor deploys the curtain airbags if a roll-over is detected, and there are front-seat cushion airbags – these work to prevent occupants from sliding beneath the seat belts in a frontal collision. There’s Active Torque Vectoring, VDC, traction control and ventilated rear disc brakes across the range.

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Inside, new soft-touch materials, thicker armrest cushioning, a new centre console and metallic trim are to be found. Through the steering wheel, the driver faces a 3.5-inch LCD display (5.0-inch with EyeSight) flanked by two gauges which, on Premium and Limited trims, are electro-luminescent and feature blue illuminated rings. There’s also an Eco gauge that uses colour bars.

In the middle of the 2.5i Standard’s dash sits a 6.2-inch touch-screen offering HD radio, Starlink connectivity with Aha and Pandora smartphone integration, Bluetooth, iPod, USB and Aux. The 2.5i Premium ups the screen diagonal to seven inches and adds six-speaker audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, SMS, iTunes tagging and dual USB ports, while the Limited trim variants get a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • shawal on Feb 11, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    the rear 3 quarter profile gives it a strong muscular character lines …exudes solidity and strength..

    the borrowed front end from a pre-facelift chevrolet malibu is clumsy, clunky…ultimately ruined another generation of legacy….

    hoping that front end only limited to the states…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
    • AutoFrenz on Feb 11, 2014 at 6:37 pm

      Hey dude i like ur english…it exudes intelligence and queen english at its best…u can teach english lit…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 9
  • AutoFrenz on Feb 11, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    Now it kinda looks like its competing in the E/5/GS category…conservative maybe but it does have its presence felt…but damn its too pricey in vw cc category…if within camry/accord hmmm y not…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Along with the new WRX, the Legacy is actually a better designed car than the one it replaces[-opinions may differ-], its just that Subaru went and raise our expectation woefully high with their concept ‘preview’ of their production cars which, unlike the Germans, stray rather far away from their ‘previews’ in terms of proportion and exegeration.

    subaru usually stand out not by its styling but by its powertrain which is always a Boxer engine[bar their Daihatsu rebadge kei-cars]and almost always mated to a 4WD drivetrain. They are loved by people in the northern parts of the States for their ability to survive Heavy snow conditions, in addition to the fact that they are amongst the very few cars that earned a IHS Top Safety pick +(the highest accomplishment in the worlds most vigorous safety tests).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
    • rifle on Feb 11, 2014 at 9:51 pm

      agree..and in my opinion, the exterior looks better than most of other japanese brands

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • frenzyaustin on Feb 11, 2014 at 7:14 pm

    Definitely a sleeper car. But what it needs is a 6 speed manual box and it’s the perfect car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • Gajen on Feb 11, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    Subarus are not known for looks but i think this looks ok and it can look even better with STI kits. I wish the engine was turbocharged or maybe it will come later. The equipments and features are amazing too

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • dino years on Feb 11, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    can’t wait for the wagon version.

    one question, why are subarus so rare on our roads? is the maintenance expensive? or is it some toyota honda nissan rv thing?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • the grille looks like Datsun’s! LOL

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • paucharsiew on Feb 12, 2014 at 2:57 am

    needs a spec-b JDM STI version

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Looks way too conservative for a Blue Oval. Was expecting more exciting designs on the production model but. Sigh…

    But well, they have a superb 4WD system so there’s a market for it. But still, I’m disappointed with the styling.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
    • 4G63T DSM on Feb 12, 2014 at 10:15 am

      ahem. Blue Oval = Ford

      But yes. its too conservative for its own good. This is what I still cant get. It cost the same money to built a good looking car as a conservative or ugly one.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
      • Oops sorry noticed it after posting the comment. Thanks for correcting.

        And yes, it’s indeed absurd for carmakers to not stick to the concept car lines and opt for a more upright and boring version of it. Probs because they’re afraid that the market can’t take too edgy designs I guess.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol on Feb 12, 2014 at 8:42 am

    While its not ugly, it surely isnt good looking either. Typical safe & derivative Japanese design. Hope it drives better than it looks. Miss the old Legacy designs from 1st to the 4th gen, but especially like the beautiful 4th gen (still looks good today).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • YaBoh on Feb 12, 2014 at 10:23 am

    Typical american muscle

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • mamat on Feb 12, 2014 at 11:23 am

    looks like accord 2014, sometimes like camry.. hmm..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Josh Ling on Feb 12, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    one word to describe recent subaru models: yawn. the interior has started to feel its age already even was just launched.

    no big deal if you don’t have a good looking exterior and interior but drive better than the rest, but if the rest is catching up in drive and handling department, and they are waaayyy better looking inside out, you will have some trouble already…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • subaru-forester on Feb 12, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    I have been driving a subaru for almost 1 year now and I personally find the car be good milage on each tank even with traffic jam and drive like mad.
    the quality of the car is good..

    only complaint when u accident as the parts are a bit more pricy compared to other japs car.. it is very similar to Europe car parts costing..

    good car to have. Easy on the pockets. Wonderful to drive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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