An unseasonably cool summer with a lot of dismal rain seems like the perfect time to meet the new-for-2015 Subaru Legacy. For starters, the standard all-wheel drive would laugh at anything that Michigan’s summer sky could throw at it. I figured that with luck, the Legacy’s sunny disposition (and heated seats) would dispel some of the chill as well.
I wasn’t wrong. As Subaru has progressed from its origins as a manufacturer of quirky and often downright weird fringe vehicles to a more mainstream nameplate, it’s inevitably come into competition with class leaders like Honda and Toyota. The latest Legacy is proof that Subaru learned from them, as well. The new Legacy is pretty much the equal of the Accord, and matches the class leaders point for point.
Which is not to call the Legacy a copycat, by any stretch. Subaru still does things just a bit differently. Not enough to make things weird, though. The Legacy’s quirks have been carefully distilled down to a unique feel and sound that doesn’t get in the way of day-to-day operation. The engine is a 2.5 L DOHC boxer 4-cylinder producing 175 hp. A 3.6 L 6-cylinder is also available, but the Legacy actually doesn’t need it. It’s just a 4-cylinder, but the horizontally-opposed layout provides strong torque delivery and good acceleration.
Fuel economy is a surprise—in past years the Legacy has been disappointing on this front, but the new car returns up to 36 mpg on the freeway thanks to reduced friction in the transmission. Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT is still a bit slow to react in most situations, but it provides a smooth ride thanks to the available torque.
All-wheel drive is standard (this is a Subaru after all) and Active Torque Vectoring is a part of the stability control system. By braking the inside front wheel, it helps to keep the Legacy neutrally balanced during cornering. Larger brakes are installed on the base Legacy for 2015: they were previously optional on the 6-cylinder model.
The suspension is surprisingly sophisticated, with MacPherson struts up front and a double-wishbone rear. It’s agile and responsive, in a generally unobtrusive way. Subaru lost a bit of its quirkiness over the years, taking a cue from mainstreamers like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Legacy is politely sporty, but not enough so to turn off the average driver. It’s entertaining enough for a daily driver, and certainly not bland. Electronic power steering is standard equipment, serving as another efficiency-improver.
2015 Subaru Legacy: Matching Up Well With Segment Leaders
2015 Subaru Legacy Courtesy of NetCarShow.com
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The Legacy is politely sporty.
