SOOBIE DOO BEE DOO
2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited

Love was just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away, according to the Sultan of Swoon. Love is what makes a Subaru, so says the car company. Senior Contributing Editor Harvey Schwartz takes the 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited on the dance floor to find out if love is true. Story and pictures by Harvey Schwartz This is No Stranger in the Night The new 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited gives smart consumers a more compelling mix of Subaru’s familiar but distinctive design, unique powertrain, handling performance, interior refinement, safety technology and higher fuel efficiency. The Legacy features the largest interior passenger volume in the midsize sedan segment and is still the only sedan in its segment with All-Wheel Drive as standard. It also continues the brand’s safety leadership by introducing the latest version of the EyeSight system and a new optional Rear Vehicle Detection system that includes Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. I tested the 2.5i Limited model that includes all of the above for a more enjoyable and safe drive. The 2015 Legacy maintains the same size as the model it replaces but offers increased interior room and trunk capacity. It is the best equipped Legacy ever with all trim lines adding new a more standard amenities plus the Limited that I tested offers the highest level of luxury ever in a Legacy.

Exchanging Glances The 2015 Legacy combines sporty form and efficient aerodynamics to easier cut through the air for better fuel mileage, more stability and less noise entering the cabin. Highlights to the sleeker, coupe-like profile is a new front fascia that combines the chrome-wrapped hexagonal grille and bumper into one smooth piece, LED lights wrap around powerful projector-beam headlights, and a lower air-intake with foglamps at the sides. The new aluminum hood is scalloped to draw air over the new, more raked windshield A-pillar that is pulled forward 2-inches at the base. The new windshield angle, higher seating hip points new front partition windows and door-mounted side view mirrors help improve visibility while a 10 percent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency contributes to lower fuel consumption. The 2015 Legacy 2.5i debuts a standard Active Grille Shutter system which closes at high speeds to further improve fuel economy by reducing wind resistance when closed. The First Hello Power to quickly move the all-new Legacy ahead comes from a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder BOXER engines. My 2.5i Legacy is powered by a DOHC FB series 2.5 liter BOXER engine that debuted in 2013 and now is updated with numerous enhancements for lighter weight, improved efficiency and quieter operation. Power is increased to 175 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at 4,000rpm and is spread over a broader engine speed for more responsive performance.

The Heart of the Legacy For 2015, all Legacy models now come standard with a Lineartronic CVT transmission. Changes made to reduce friction in the CVT contribute to high fuel efficiency. All models come standard with Incline Start Assist and the electronic Hill Holder System that holds the vehicle in place until I apply the throttle. My 2.5i Limited model came with a manual mode with paddle shifters on the steering wheel so that I could keep the CVT in a particular gear for increased acceleration or extra braking power. Left alone the transmission is smooth and very quiet, but it is fun using the paddle shifters that didn’t allow me to increase the gear selected until I reach a certain speed, just like a real 6-speed automatic sequential transmission. What makes the Subaru Legacy 2.5i so very unique is the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that readily shows its stuff on wet or slick pavement when braking and the newly refined version of the Active Torque Split version of the Symmetrical AWD. An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively controls torque distribution in response to driving conditions and wheel slippage. The system can send additional torque to the rear wheels either pro-actively or in response to slippage at the front wheels. Taking input from acceleration, steering angle and yaw rate sensors, Active Torque Split AWD optimizes traction and steering response when accelerating through turns and curves, particularly when the road surface is slippery. I loved this new enhanced system as it gave the car a more sports car ability when attacking steeply curving roads at high speeds. It hugged the road like it was riding on rails. Adding to the AWD and Active Torque Split systems for increased handling capability and fun-to-drive ability is the fully independent suspension that is extensively revised and retuned to make it handle even better than before with a smoother ride and stability at speed on the highway and when driving over poorly paved roads.

Quickly and safely slowing the all-new Legacy 2.5i Limited down from speed are new larger brake rotors previously used on the 6-cylinder model and are all vented for better response and heat dissipation. Subaru has given a lot of thought to the interior of the new Legacy, and it shows. It is much quieter than before blocking out sources of noise thanks to a new acoustic windshield, liquid-filled engine mounts, thicker panels in key locations (floor, toeboard, rear wheel apron, inner fenders), expanded use of foam insulation, triple-sealed door glass and floor damping materials. The 2015 Legacy offers the largest cabin space in the midsize segment at 104.6 cubic feet up from 103 cubic feet). The added space yields gains in shoulder, hip, elbow and legroom. Rear seat legroom measures a generous 38.1 inches. The trunk has been enlarged to 15 cubic feet. Standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seat expands carrying capacity. Look inside the trunk and see crossmembers to give the rear end more rigidity and handling capability. The sporty instrument cluster is highlighted by two binocular-style gauge pods with a center LCD information display, and a five-inch display with the EyeSight option in the Limited model. A Warm, Embracing Interior A combination of soft-touch materials, quality faux wood trim, metallic trim, thicker cushioning for armrests and the center console give the Legacy a more premium feel and look. The heater control panel integrates the digital clock and outside temperature displays, with the time automatically corrected by GPS in the navigation-equipped model. A new one-touch lane changer function for the turn signals add convenience. My Limited model comes standard with auto up/down front windows with pinch protection. The Limited model offers the highest level of luxury ever in a Legacy. It features, among other things, the All-Weather Package (three-mode heated front seats/dual-mode heated rear seats, rear seat A/C vents, pull-down armrest/dual cupholders, and a high-end surround sound audio system with 12-Harmon/Kardon speakers.

Subaru significantly upgraded its infotainment capability for the 2015 Legacy Limited. A new standard 7-inch inch infotainment system provides AM/FM stereo and HD radio, XM radio, Radio Data Broadcast system, 1-disc Indash CD player, 7-inch inch multi-function , touch screen display with single-touch gesture control; Subaru STARLINK smartphone integration with Aha, Pandora, iHeart Radio, a rear vision camera, voice-activated controls, a vehicle information display, SMS text messaging, iTunes tagging capability; Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod control, dual USB ports and auxiliary input jack. The easy-to-use center console features an armrest providing a storage area than can hold an iPad. A covered and illuminated bin at the front of the console incorporates a USB port; 3.5mm AUX jack and a 12-volt power plug. The two USB ports make it possible to listen to music and charge two connected devices-awesome! Models equipped with EyeSight also come with new Steering-Response Foglamps. This feature which works only when the headlights are set to the auto position and the foglamps are turned off, activates the left or right foglamp independently, depending on vehicle speed and steering angle, to provide enhanced illumination in the direction of the turn. The foglamps are pre-aimed for maximum coverage in corners. It Turned Out So Right In today’s car market, the struggle in the middle segments (not cheap, not luxury) is the most interesting to observe, and by far the most treacherous for the manufacturers. All of the manufacturers feel that they are doing things in a cross generational fashion. The electronics/infotainment/connectivity goodybag listed above is a good example of how Subaru is now reaching out to families looking for a fun-to-drive midsize sedan with all of the roominess, comfort, luxury, convenience, connectivity and safety found in other popular midsize segment sedans. What the Legacy has in its favor is the standard AWD system that gives an extra amount of safety and a more controlled, confident and composed ride for any driver-especially an enthusiast driver. I was totally impressed with the 2015 Legacy. © Story and pictures by Harvey Schwartz SUMMARY JUDGMENT The Chairman of the Board would be proud.

SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited Price: $26,795.00 (base Limited) $30,580.00 (fully loaded Limited including destination charges) EPA fuel economy ratings: 26mpg city/36 mpg highway Engine: Power comes from a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder BOXER engines. The test car is powered by a DOHC FB series 2.5 liter BOXER engine rated at 175 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm Drive configuration: All-wheel drive Dimensions Length: 188.8 inches Height: 59 inches Width: 72.4 inches Base curb weight: 3,485 pounds Link opened into new tab: formulad.com/schedule/results