It won’t get any manner contests, but the Legacy’s authentic magnificence is found within just.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
Inspite of not looking all that distinct, the 2020 Subaru Legacy pictured right here is a model-new sedan. And although it could possibly not stir thoughts with its style and design, those who look beneath the conservative sheet metallic will learn a roomy interior chock full of new engineering, not to mention a extra strong chassis that would make the Legacy significantly nicer to push.
Beneath the skin
The 2020 Legacy rides on Subaru’s new worldwide platform that also underpins the Ascent, Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza and Outback. This stiffer, more robust frame varieties the bones of a sedan which is about the exact same sizing as in advance of, with a 108.3-inch wheelbase.
For those hoping the stiffer platform interprets to tighter, extra responsive dealing with, I am sorry to say which is not the case. Tossing the Legacy Sport into curves, you will working experience some dive under braking and a bit of managed roll at turn in. The car’s road-keeping qualities are just Okay through bends, but pushing it reasonably difficult benefits in howls from the eighteen-inch Yokohama Avid GT BluEarth tires. Even with the most aggressive Sport Sharp push mode activated, the Legacy’s steering is numb off centre, while pounds builds progressively as you turn. The brakes boast sturdy original bite at the prime of the pedal stroke and are easy to modulate.
In which the Legacy seriously shines, while, is in the journey comfort department. The softer-sprung suspension and fifty-series sidewall tires are excellent for cozy jogs all around city, smoothing out impacts from bumps and ruts together the way.
Updated base and new turbo engine solutions
The 2020 Legacy has a new two.4-liter turbo engine choice that replaces the outdated boxer-6. Rated at 260 horsepower and 277 pound-toes of torque, it’s the exact same turbocharged flat-4 you will find in the Ascent and Outback.
The two.five-liter flat-4 really should return 35 mpg on the freeway with all-wheel push.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
My Sport trim, even so, rocks an updated version of Subaru’s two.five-liter naturally aspirated boxer-4 with 182 hp and 176 lb-ft, mated to a repeatedly variable transmission and normal all-wheel push. In the Sport Sharp placing, the engine delivers adequate grunt to get the Legacy hustling up to velocity for freeway merging. With the automobile in the default Smart mode, even so, and acceleration is leisurely at finest.
The Legacy’s CVT does a quite seamless job of switching amongst ratios so the engine won’t annoyingly buzz like mad during extensive-open up throttle purposes. Opting to change ratios you by means of the steering wheel paddles can be done, also, but the responses are so frustratingly muted that it’s finest to enable the computer systems manage “shifting.”
As for fuel economic climate, the base drivetrain setup returns an EPA-estimated 27 miles for each gallon in the metropolis and 35 mpg on the freeway. That’s not shabby considering the Legacy will come normal with all-wheel push.
The cabin is relaxed and cleanly styled.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
Clean up styling with fresh new tech
The Legacy is unquestionably understated as opposed to extra fashionable midsize sedans like the most current Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda6 and Nissan Altima. Even with the Sport model’s added touches like its exceptional grille, black mirror caps, black wheels and trunk spoiler, the automobile only gets missing in the group. Then again, if you desire to fly under the radar, this could possibly be the sedan for you.
Issues do get extra attention-grabbing inside of, at least. The Legacy’s cabin is ethereal with a good deal of glass permitting in oodles of natural light-weight. You will find generous room for passengers up front or in back again, with the latter getting an added one.4 inches of legroom as opposed to the outdated Legacy. The interior has a fairly straightforward style and design and almost everything is created from substantial-good quality resources with leather-wrapped, delicate-contact and properly stitched surfaces all over. Even the difficult-plastic parts truly feel strong and are properly finished. The seats are soft, there are many cubbies to stash issues and the trunk, with 15.one cubic toes of space, will swallow just about something you throw at it.
The 11.6-inch screen is colourful and easy to use.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
You will find a huge, 11.6-inch centre touchscreen housing the Subaru Multimedia Additionally infotainment method. It truly is packed full of goodies this kind of as a TomTom navigation method, Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Car, satellite radio and Bluetooth. While those occupy the center part of the screen, the bottom homes weather changes like lover velocity, vent options and a few-stage heated front seats. For the most component, I like the intuitive infotainment interface. It truly is obtained significant, evidently labeled icons and promptly swaps web pages amongst distinct menu screens. Luckily, Subaru doesn’t place almost everything in the touchscreen, with a couple of knobs and a number of difficult buttons on the side to change radio quantity, tuning and cabin temperature.
On the driver-support engineering front, each Legacy will come normal with Subaru’s Vision suite of options which includes adaptive cruise manage, lane-holding help with lane-centering and pedestrian detection. My take a look at automobile is also outfitted with offered blind-spot checking, reverse automatic braking and lane-change help that all do the job as marketed.
How I’d spec it
Just after investing a week with the serviceable, but somewhat underwhelming base engine, my suitable Subaru Legacy would have to have the turbo. I’d go with the Minimal XT that begins at $35,095, which includes $900 for location. With solutions like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot checking and rear cross-visitors warn normal, I’d go away it at that and be content as a clam. It truly is a fair amount extra than the $thirty,090 automobile reviewed right here, but trust me, if you can swing the turbo, get it.
The Legacy gives good all-wheel-push worth.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
All-wheel push worth engage in
Midsize sedan entries supplying all-wheel push are not as sparse as in advance of with the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry now offered with this tech, while the Legacy remains the only a single in the category with it normal. And with its $23,645 base selling price, the Subaru is the most inexpensive choice if you are on the hunt for a midsize sedan with power going to all 4 wheels. To get all-wheel push in the Altima you will have to component with at least $26,575, although the Camry will established you back again $27,365 to start.
Yes, the Legacy lacks standout design and just isn’t a hoot at the rear of the wheel, but it’s a quite well-rounded, relaxed sedan, packed with tech and options a roomy cabin at an inexpensive selling price point. It won’t established hearts ablaze, but those are nevertheless some sturdy deserves to stand on.
