2015 Subaru Legacy Preview: 2014 Chicago Auto Show

Why the 2015 Subaru Legacy Matters:

By Benjamin Hunting

The 2015 Subaru Legacy is the latest in a whirlwind of new product announcements from the surging Japanese automaker. The Subaru Legacy aims to carve out a larger niche in the mid-size sedan segment, an area where Subaru hasn’t traditionally been able to match its success in the crossover or compact world. The vehicle also marks a styling turning point for the Legacy, shrugging off last year’s blockier styling in favor of sleek, modern sheet metal.

New 2015 Subaru Legacy: What’s New

The 2015 Subaru Legacy rides on a new platform, one that helps it improve its passenger and trunk space. It’s nicer inside, too, than the departing version of the car, although a function-first design motif is still in evidence throughout the cabin. Subaru elected not to make any significant changes to the Legacy’s engine line-up, as it features the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder (175 horsepower) and 3.6-liter six-cylinder (256 horsepower) boxer engines. What tweaks have been made focus on improving efficiency, and this includes a revised continuously-variable automatic that is now the only transmission available with the car. The entry-level mills turns in 30-mpg combined, while the six-cylinder is good for 23-mpg combined.

In addition to the revised suspension system that is part and parcel of the 2015 Subaru Legacy’s fresh platform, it also features an improved all-wheel drive system. Borrowed from the recently-introduced WRX performance sedan, the Legacy now comes with torque vectoring (using the automobile’s front brakes) in order to improve handling.

New 2015 Subaru Legacy: What Autobytel Thinks

The 2015 Subaru Legacy doesn’t quite live up to the gorgeous Legacy concept that was unveiled in Los Angeles, but it’s not that far off. More importantly, the Legacy loses all of last year’s awkwardness and now looks very much the part of a high-volume mid-size family sedan. Subaru would love to see the Legacy take its place beside the Nissan Altima and the Ford Fusion as a more mainstream choice, and with improved fuel mileage, a more comfortable and quieter cabin, and appealing styling, it might very well be on its way.