Legacy 2007 Subaru Legacy facelift – Sedan, Wagon & Outback.

[Mr. M]

Subaru announced the introduction of its new Legacy models (Sedan, Wagon & Outback). The facelift series went on sale in Japan through its dealerships while in European and the US, the 2007 versions are expected latter this year

Major features of the faclifted Legacy


Exterior designs: Building on the style characteristics of the fourth-generation Legacy, which embodied beauty and functionality in its designs, the new Legacy boasts detailed design changes that heighten its original identity.

Interior designs: Additional decorative panels on the dashboard provide a quality feel and functional look, as well as accentuate the comfortable interior space. On the models with the SI-DRIVE, newly designed meter panels and steering wheel switches emphasize functionality in the interface with the driver.

Powertrain: FHI has improved further on engine combustion efficiency and the intake and exhaust efficiency for the new Legacy series. Improvements to the transmission also ensure smooth and responsive gearshifting. FHI has also expanded the availability of the 6-speed manual transmission on the new Legacy series to the 2-liter turbo as well as 3-liter engine models.

The SI-DRIVE on the 2-liter turbo and 3-liter engine models not only offers the driver a choice of three different modes of driving experience, but it can also help delivers to save fuel economy without sacrificing the driving pleasure.

Body/Chassis: Capitalizing on outstanding driving characteristics provided by the Symmetrical AWD, the new Legacy offers further improved stability and maneuverability through enhancement of joints in body frames and parts. High levels of comfort and relaxation, matched to the concept of the Grand Touring Car, have been achieved.

SI-DRIVE on 2-liter turbo and 3-liter engine models: The SI-DRIVE enables three distinctively different modes: the Intelligent mode; Sport mode; and Sport Sharp mode. By regulating the engine control unit (ECU) as well as the transmission control unit (TCU) in the automatic transmission, and by fine-tuning the electronically controlled throttle, the system provides vehicle performance unique to each mode. It allows the driver to choose from these three modes, which bring out very different driving experiences in the same car.

In addition to the SI-DRIVE selector on the center console for choosing the driving mode, FHI has also developed a new interface to display SI-DRIVE performance. The instrumentation incorporates an Info-Eco Indicator that lights up while driving on low fuel consumption; an ECO gauge that encourages mileage-conscious driving; and a multi-information display that shows comprehensive information about the driver-selected SI-DRIVE mode. A Shift-up Indicator is also available on the manual transmission models, which advises the driver to shift up a gear for better fuel economy.
The ECO gauge and Info-Eco Indicator have proven to positively influence drivers to drive more fuel-efficiently. Together with the improvements in the powertrain performance and control mechanism, the new Legacy driven in the Intelligent mode recorded 10 percent better gas mileage, compared to the current model without these improvements and display, according to FHI’s internal tests.





I'm worried for the sedan. It doesn't look as good as it should. I like what they did with the rear but the front...

I like the interior though, good work there!

 

[Andaluz]

Re: 2007 Subaru Legacy facelift – Sedan, Wagon & Outback.

I think the Sedan looks great. Very imposing in black.

The interior looks much more luxurious than the Subarus of not so many years ago.

 

[Snake Vargas]

Re: 2007 Subaru Legacy facelift – Sedan, Wagon & Outback.

I reckon it's a good move, too. And none of this 'aircraft fuselage' business that's infected some of the other cars in the lineup. The 'wings' on the badge alone are a fine testament to their aeronautical history; and it's a damn sight better than being bludgeoned with their 'brand identity', for those who don't know or care and are simply after a good looking car.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/photos....17.002/subaru/2006-subaru-legacy-photo-update

Check out that WCF photo gallery for more pics. Here's my favourite:


Note that this front is different yet again. Apart from the Outback, it seems there are three bumpers. The one on the black sedan above seems to be an especially sporty version. There is also a turbo model (with bonnet scoop) with the same bumper as that blue wagon.

This third bumper is my favourite. It looks both sporty and elegant.

The headlights are a nice touch, sleeker than before. Note the little ridges in the front mudguards coming from the rearward edges of the headlight units. They have a touch of BMW 5er or Saab 9-5 facelift about them, not that I'm saying they're copying.

As for the rear, well those vents in the bumper look a bit tacky. But the lights are ok.

Interior seems nice enough, though the circular gearshift surround seems also a bit tacky. I hope they improve some things (which from some of the pics on WCF, it would appear so) like reach/rake adjustability for the steering wheel. However, the middle aircon vents still don't have the flow adjusters.. oh well.

A nice move overall. I hope they make the 5-speed auto available across the range though.

 

[dOmInIX]

Re: 2007 Subaru Legacy facelift – Sedan, Wagon & Outback.

I find Legacy a very atractive and modern car, though it doesn't have really good selling results! It's a shame!

 

[MikeJ]

What the car needed was a bigger fuel tank and I don't think I've seen any mention of that. There doesn't seem to be headlamp washers either, the trip computer is the same late-eighties job and it would be nice to know when you're about to run out of washer fluid. For what I can see, the seats look pretty much the same which is a shame since they're not very good.
(As I've mentioned before, my father has an Outback and I've driven it on several occasions, including lenghty road trips. Apart from what is mentioned above it's a great car and fun to drive.)

 

[Giannis]

the sedan is great. I'm only worried about the outback.

 

[Mr. M]

What the car needed was a bigger fuel tank and I don't think I've seen any mention of that. There doesn't seem to be headlamp washers either, the trip computer is the same late-eighties job and it would be nice to know when you're about to run out of washer fluid. For what I can see, the seats look pretty much the same which is a shame since they're not very good.
(As I've mentioned before, my father has an Outback and I've driven it on several occasions, including lenghty road trips. Apart from what is mentioned above it's a great car and fun to drive.)

It's all these basic faults that pull it away from being an excellent sedan. I'd get this over the Camry anyday though, but it would be a toss between this and the Accord Euro. The Accord is so refined. Also, between the Legacy GT and the Golf GTI, it's a tough choice to make indeed.

What Subaru offers in the Legacy that is unique (and I truly love): frameless windows & its boxer engines.

I reckon it's a good move, too. And none of this 'aircraft fuselage' business that's infected some of the other cars in the lineup. The 'wings' on the badge alone are a fine testament to their aeronautical history; and it's a damn sight better than being bludgeoned with their 'brand identity', for those who don't know or care and are simply after a good looking car.

Oh yes, I believe you are referring to the Tribeca SUV and to a lesser extent, the Impreza... I was crossing my fingers that Subaru wouldn't do anything like that to the Legacy! My prayers were answered.

 

[martinbo]

I'm disappointed. Whilst I've always thought of Legacy / Outback as being the most underrated cars in their segment, I did have a feeling that they're just a touch too conservative despite the obvious benefits of such a strategy.

Plain and simple: this facelift is a rather inconsistent approach on FHI's part in solidifying the brand's NDL (New Design Language). Core to which is the new 3 piece aero-motif grill. Did Subaru's management once again baulk at the criticism of an all too necessary brand differentiation strategy manifested in some quirky styling? Same thing happened with Impreza Bug-eyes. The car looked infinitely better in the tin and had such a cool, oddball persona that it was an instant hit with real scoob afficionados. Then they brought out that truly horrid facelift when all they had to do was adjust the dimensions and shape of the light clusters, reduce the size of the rally-style foglamps and give the car a more distinctive relationship between the upper and lower grills. So, Impreza 2 facelift 2 was born and it looked terrible in my opinion. The third facelift goes a long way to re-addressing the Impreza's identity crisis but it's just not cohesive aft of the A-pillar. The rear lights remain overdone too...

So, it appears that Subaru can't stick to their stylistic guns and this attractive but altogether pragmatic Legacy is yet another testament to a brilliant, off-beat, unconventionally outstanding vehicle that somehow just can't let it's true colours show on the outside. Subarus are different and they ought to advertise the fact through their styling as well.

I'm quite sure that the new aero-motif grill would've lent itself well to the Legacy shape even if in toned-down guise.

 

[Yperion]

Re: 2007 Subaru Legacy facelift – Sedan, Wagon & Outback.

I actually liked the Legacy as it was and this facelift seems like a step back in exterior design but the interior is still very nice.

Also i never understood why the Legacy has a very well build and solid interior while the Impreza hasn't. I know they have a price difference but it's supposed to be the same company making both of them. I would expect more things in common.

 

[wltsm]

Re: 2007 Subaru Legacy facelift – Sedan, Wagon & Outback.

I must say, I really like this facelift, makes the car look a lot sharper!

The one thing I have against the car is IMO, the sedan dosen't look that good, and the estate looks a lot better! Also the interior looks a bit dated. For this car to sell, it really needs a diesel, it would help Subaru hugely in europe, is just needs to be done!