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2015 Subaru Legacy Review By Larry Nutson


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Editor's note: As we publish this Legacy review, Subaru just announced they broke their all-time annual sales record with one month of the year still remaining.  The brand is now up 21 percent year-to-date with 463,770 vehicles sold, with December sales still to come. November monthly sales increased 24 percent over November 2013. The Legacy saw a 97 percent jump in sales...deservedly so.

 

2015 Subaru Legacy
All-new and setting records

By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau Chief
The Auto Channel

Subaru is one very hot brand here in the United States. The seven different Subaru models have been selling like hotcakes.

Through October, year-to-date sales have increased 20 percent with 418,497 vehicles sold versus 347,890 over the same period last year. The company has now seen 35 consecutive months of year-over-year growth and is well on its way to its sixth successive annual sales record. Subaru expects to surpass its 2013 annual sales record of 424,683 vehicles well before year end.

Subaru says their sedans and crossovers are generating more and more interest from new buyers by delivering a unique combination of safety, utility, performance and value.


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I spent a couple years living in middle-Connecticut from 2008 to 2010. I distinctly recall the very typical occurrence of being stopped at a traffic light and being surrounded by only Subaru vehicles. New England has been a strong hold for this brand for some time and now their popularity is spreading across the country.

“There's something about Subaru that's turning hundreds of thousands of Americans a year into ‘Subaruians,’ ” said a recent Detroit News article.

The all-new 2015 Legacy set a new monthly sales record of 6,362 vehicles in October. The Legacy, now in its sixth generation, represents about 10% of Subaru sales, with the Forester and Outback being the six-digit volume sellers.

Introduced earlier this year, the five passenger Legacy now features the largest interior passenger volume in the midsize sedan segment. And, it’s the only car in its class with All-Wheel Drive as standard.

Offering a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder BOXER engines, the 2015 Subaru Legacy comes standard with the Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Most buyers will opt for the 175HP, 2.5-L engine that has EPA test fuel economy ratings of 30 mpg combined with 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway ratings. The 2015 Legacy 2.5i matches or exceeds the EPA fuel economy ratings of many front-wheel drive midsize sedans.

The 256 HP, 6-cylinder Legacy 3.6R Limited has improved fuel economy by 10 percent from the previous model. The EPA test rating is 23 mpg combined, with 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.


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I drove the 3.6R Limited for about a week and found the performance very adequate. I would think that “Subaruians” who choose this model are more into the performance side of driving whereas the 4-cylinder buyer is looking for maximum economy while cruising gently. In either case, the fuel economy is impressive for an all-wheel-drive sedan.

The all-new Legacy is offered in three 2.5-L models with prices starting at $21,695 for the 2.5i. On top of this there’s a 2.5i Premium and a 2.5i Limited model. Capping the Legacy model range is the 3.6R Limited priced at $29,595. The destination charge is $795.

On the outside the Legacy has a coupe-like appearance and an exterior appearance that is pretty typical of the midsize sedan segment. However, the purpose of this car is to be comfortable, have acceptable performance and fuel economy, and have room for a typical family’s stuff. The Legacy delivers on those requirements.

Handling is quite good and around town maneuverability very easy and un-stressful. The ride is comfortable but a bit harsh, which can occur with AWD, and steering effort and feedback are well balanced.


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On the inside the Legacy has been significantly upgraded with lots of soft touch material. Seats are comfortable with good support and ingress and egress are easy. Sight lines are clear and the large greenhouse makes for good outward visibility.


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As for safety, the 2015 Legacy offers the latest version of the EyeSight driver-assist system, the highest-rated front crash prevention system by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Available for Premium and Limited trims, EyeSight uses Subaru-developed stereo camera technology and integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning.

Subaru says, “EyeSight is an extra set of eyes on the road, and if need be, an extra foot on the brake when you drive.” The 2015 Legacy has received an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus award.

An all-new infotainment system featuring a standard touch screen display and a high resolution backup camera is standard on all trim levels.

On the noise front I was pleasantly surprised with very little engine and transmission noise to disturb the interior sound comfort. Wind and tire noise is well managed too. All this being helped by an acoustic windshield and liquid-filled engine mounts.


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Options such as a moonroof package, keyless entry and push-button start, navigation system, rear vehicle detection system with blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist are all available to meet your own needs to customize your Legacy.

With many Legacy owners in cold climate regions, heated front seats as well as heated rear seats can be had. I was missing one of my favorites…a heated steering wheel.

If you are interested to compare the 2015 Subaru Legacy to other midsize sedans you can do that right here on TheAutoChannel.com. And there’s a lot more information and detailed specifications on the 2015 Subaru Legacy just a mouse click away at www.subaru.com.

If you live in a snowy-winter part of the country or perhaps frequently drive rain-soaked twisty, windy, hilly roads the all-new Subaru Legacy is worth a good look. I would put safety ahead of style any day not only to protect myself but most importantly my family. And of course we have a responsibility to not cause harm to other drivers and vehicles on the road too.

"Love. It's What Makes a Subaru, a Subaru"

© Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy