Legacy Official: New Subaru legacy


The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by Subaru from 1989 to 2025. Their flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine. The Legacy was sold as the Liberty in Australia.
I had a go at the 3.6 sedan a few months ago, as you said Martin, it isn't half bad, but it has lost its sportiness, it almost felt like I was driving a Toyota Camry. The steering is very light, but still accurate, the suspension setting is definitely on the soft side. There are plenty of body roll around corners, and the sensation is amplified by the high seating position. The car is bigger, and you can feel it when you are driving it, even though the actual weight increase isn't that much, I can't exactly remember, I think it is about 30 to 50kg?

The engine is the highlight of the entire driving experience, the engine and gearbox response is extremely quick, there is noticeably more low end torque than the 3.0L, but it rev just as quickly. The gearshifts are quicker, smoother and the box is more willing to kick down than before. It is a bit unfortunate because the engine and the gearbox are a miss match with the chassis. Oh the brakes a better now, there is less dead travel from the pedal, and they felt more powerful than the ones on my 3.0.

The ride is very comfortable, I say it is very close to the E-class. General refinement is good as well, it is a lot quieter than the previous generation. The doors felt heavier in fact the entire car felt more substantial than before.

It is a pity Subaru as gone this way for this generation of Legacy/Liberty, because IMO the new car has lost it character, now it is almost as bland as a Toyota to drive.

The exterior styling is horrendous, it looks even worse in person. I will let the photos do the talking. The interior has lost its European inspired design, it has also lost some of the tactile materials that were used in the previous generation. The dashboard is made from hard and hallow sounding plastics, and the fake wood really looks nasty. The location of the frequently used buttons are ok, however the cluster of small buttons positioned right of the steering wheel is confusing to look at, and use.





Overall, it isn't a bad car, but it just doesn't feel the same anymore. As a current Legacy/Liberty owner, I won't be considering this as my next car. If only I can get that 3.6L engine into my current car.


The rear looks so basic and boring. It's like they took the absolute first gen Legacy and just gave it a once over. Honestly, it's like the designers were not even trying. At least with the previous gen it was sport yet understated...it's a design that has aged well. That goes with the side profile and the front, it was under-stated but distinctly Japanese. And not wacky kei-car Japanese design either, but lightly aggressive and confident. Some may argue that Subies' strong suit has never been design but its engineering robustness, reliability, safety, and AWD-ness, but why can't it also have 'well-designed' as one of its defining descriptors? To me the new Legacy is a hodge-podge of different design elements...design elements the designers thought were trendy, i.e. flared fenders. Then they finished the car of with such a basic rear design. It's a mess. I'll give Subaru a bit more credit wagon's rear though, it is much more resolved. Alas in the States, we only get the Outback, not a regular wagon, let alone a wagon in GT-guise.

As much as I love Bimmers, MBs, and all the other exoticas out there, I probably wouldn't buy them unless I had money to burn. My innate frugalness wouldn't allow me to rationalize such a purchase even if I had the means. The Legacy, especially the previous gen, had to offer the right amount of sportiness, style, reliability, amenities, features and capability coupled with a respectable depreciation rate where I'd been a happy camper everyday.

BTW, since Toyota bought a piece of FHI, do you think their presence has led to such "chintziness" with Subie's current offerings? The Impreza and the Legacy just seem cheaper compared to the more robust previous gens. If I remember off the top of my head, ToyoMoCo owns somwhere between 3-5% of FHI. How much pull/influence do you think would they have on such matters?

EDIT: I just re-read your post and I must of overlooked the part where you found it to be "more substantial" than the previous gen. When I mean chintziness, I'm referring to the instrument panel. I have yet to sit in and test drive the new Legacy (something I may have to do this weekend), but with the current Impreza and the previous generation, I noticed a difference.
 
I understand exactly where you're coming from. I have the same sentimental attachment to the previous generation Legacy and Outback, both of which not only looked better from the outside but also had far nicer, touchy-feely interiors. The previous generation Outback 3.0R was a car of exquisite class - it was elegant and sleek and more than capable of tackling gravel roads. It was not without its drawbacks however, as you say, rear leg-room was tight, fuel consumption on the 3.0R was heavy - especially when pressing on - and the four speed auto on the 2.5 was simply archaic.

What we're seeing here is an improvement in product and a diminishment of character. Character is a wonderful thing; it woos journalists and appeals to enthusiasts but character doesn't sell to the masses. Good product does. The new Legacy and Outback are better overall products compared to their forebears - they're much more spacious, more fuel efficient, more comfortable and, as a whole, cleverer. The new CVT Lineartronic transmission in the 2.5 naturally aspirated cars is a revelation and it makes a massive contribution toward giving an otherwise underendowed engine meaningful pep at any given speed. It surely is the best of its kind on the market.

I see what you're saying and agree with you somewhat since it's every business' goal to grab as much of the market as possible. But I'm sure it can be done without sacrificing character. I'm all for efficiency and more rear-legroom, but it seems what they have done is dilute a good thing. With the previous gen, it was regularly compared with the Audi A4 or Acura TSX (or as its known in most markets, the Honda Accord Euro/JDM). This gen is seen as a Camry/ USDM Accord/Malibu competitor.

As a long-time Forester owner, I immediately noticed the reduction in character of the current car vs. our previous two models. But, what I also noticed was the improved space, comfort, fuel economy, child-friendliness, safety, convenience and overall versatility. The product simply has more mass appeal and the same goes for these new Legacy and Outback models. Interestingly, this heightened appeal has not gone unnoticed. Subaru sales have increased year-on-year - especially in the US - as a result of Subaru's focus on the mainstream.

It's not all good news for the afficionado, of course, dashtop tactile and perceived quality is down from previous models and owners can feel short-changed in this department - I know I do at least. Some of the sportiness that made Subarus so appealing to the enthusiast has certainly been diluted too but the new Legacy isn't half bad at all when you dig deeper. [Now, isn't this a common observation with just about any new generation out there nowadays?]



I've said it time and again but, at the risk of sounding like a stuck record, I have to say that Subaru have engineered themselves into a quandry with their resolute - or should that read obsessive - pursuit of symmetrical AWD. In order to keep the whole drivetrain system as light, balanced and compact as possible, Subaru engineers the gearbox and front-wheel drivetrain as a whole - the propshaft powering the front wheels passes directly below the actual gearbox itself, within the same casing.

If you look at any current implementation of the dual-clutch transmission incorporated within an AWD system you'll notice that the front-drive propshaft is offset to the side and out of the way of the gearbox mechanicals whether it's S4 or Panamera or 335xi. A dual clutch gearbox with its two output shafts would give Subaru engineers even more grey hairs. It would make packaging of the gearbox a nightmare - particularly if Subaru were to pursue the symmetrical layout.

So, I don't foresee any earth-shattering developments on the transmission front for Subaru. The phasing out of the four speed auto (it still is offered on turbo'd Foresters!) will free up capacity for Subaru to focus on 5 or even 6 speed torque convertor autos for high torque engines. I'm quietly hoping that Subaru will beef up the CVT to handle 350 Nm but this is a long shot as this represents the limit of torque that modern CVTs are capable of handling.

If a DCT transmission is released by FHI then I, for one, will fall off my chair.

Between you, Monster, and the many other members on this forum, I wish I had an engineering background to have better appreciation. I realize that DCT is complex, but that's pretty damn complex. The thing is that is that Mitsubishi is able to offer it on their Ralliart/Evo.

Are there DI-engines and higher-geared transmissions on the horizon? Or is Subaru content with offering a CVT as their only auto-transmission of choice?

Also, BTW, sorry if my posts today are a bit confusing....feeling the "end of the week scatterbrain" in full effect.
 
As much as I love Bimmers, MBs, and all the other exoticas out there, I probably wouldn't buy them unless I had money to burn. My innate frugalness wouldn't allow me to rationalize such a purchase even if I had the means. The Legacy, especially the previous gen, had to offer the right amount of sportiness, style, reliability, amenities, features and capability coupled with a respectable depreciation rate where I'd been a happy camper everyday.
I am pretty happy with my Spec B wagon, as you said it has the right balance of sportiness, style, practicality. With the Bilstein suspension, you really do feel like you are driving a sports car. I have to say, it isn't a cheaper car to run/maintain than the European cars. The fuel consumption of the 3.0L engine isn't good, the servicing interval is shorter, and the cost of parts aren't that cheap. It is more expensive to maintain than a Toyota or a Honda, and surprisingly, more expensive than our E-class.

BTW, since Toyota bought a piece of FHI, do you think their presence has led to such "chintziness" with Subie's current offerings? The Impreza and the Legacy just seem cheaper compared to the more robust previous gens. If I remember off the top of my head, ToyoMoCo owns somwhere between 3-5% of FHI. How much pull/influence do you think would they have on such matters?
Interesting point, and hardly anyone has mention this. I don't think Toyota will be bothered with Subaru's current lineup unless they see an opportunity to share components. We will see their first real collaboration soon.

EDIT: I just re-read your post and I must of overlooked the part where you found it to be "more substantial" than the previous gen. When I mean chintziness, I'm referring to the instrument panel. I have yet to sit in and test drive the new Legacy (something I may have to do this weekend), but with the current Impreza and the previous generation, I noticed a difference.
They have got rid of the red ring around the dials, and I don't think the needle flick around when you start the car, and they no longer offer the double sun roof for the wagons anymore. It is these small things that matters to car enthusiasts.

btw there was a fully optioned GT wagon, I didn't have time to drive it. It looks better than the sedan, but it is still one hell of an ugly thing
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I am pretty happy with my Spec B wagon, as you said it has the right balance of sportiness, style, practicality. With the Bilstein suspension, you really do feel like you are driving a sports car. I have to say, it isn't a cheaper car to run/maintain than the European cars. The fuel consumption of the 3.0L engine isn't good, the servicing interval is shorter, and the cost of parts aren't that cheap. It is more expensive to maintain than a Toyota or a Honda, and surprisingly, more expensive than our E-class.


Wait, wait, wait....you have SpecB?
This is me right now ---->:D (there's a reason my face is green right now!)

I always thought SpecB's are a higher PSi'd version of the turbo Flat-4 from the GT? Well as long as I'd get somewhere around 25 mpg and is performance-oriented, I'd be happy.

Well here's my suggestion on what Subaru ought to offer for the next Legacy...
-3.6L DI Turbo Flat-6 or 2.5L Twin-turbo Flat-4 (280-300 hp/270-280 lb.-ft.)
-Regular Wagon
-somehow implement DCT (6 or 7 speeds)
-sport-tuned suspension
-Symmetrical AWD (of course)
-using the current chassis, evolve the previous gen's style.
-18" BBS wheels
-Eco-mode option
- reasonably quality interior with a McIntosh stereo
- about 25-30 mpg (i know that's overly optimistic)
- the usual Subaru reliability
- I'm undecided on whether there ought to be some sort of hybrid tech...depends on the weight penalty vs. the eletrical motor's performance and efficiency of the battery,
- $35K USD base price.

I know this may never happen, but this would be the sweetest compromise. Stylish car without being too overly trendy that can lug around your familly and stuff on the weekends, but able to have fun on the backroads while coming back from work during the weekdays. All at a reasonable price.

Subaru, you hear me, get on this. I want mine to be black on black.
 
Just to chime in...

I got the Legacy Outback 2.5i out for a drive a few weeks ago. Was actually expecting the Legacy GT but through some administrative error, I got the NA, CVT Outback instead. It was as bad as I expected - lacklustre performance, floaty suspension and an uninspiring drive. Must say though that the Boxer has a great top end and I loved to rev it hard to get the horses out. The CVT also made sure the car doesn't feel dead slow but I'd rather not have it.

I haven't had the privilege to try a turbocharged boxer + manual but I'd love to someday. I'm sure Subaru has the magic in there somewhere, but they just lost the plot. Appealing to the mainstream doesn't need to mean deserting the enthusiasts.
 
Just to chime in...

I got the Legacy Outback 2.5i out for a drive a few weeks ago. Was actually expecting the Legacy GT but through some administrative error, I got the NA, CVT Outback instead. It was as bad as I expected - lacklustre performance, floaty suspension and an uninspiring drive. Must say though that the Boxer has a great top end and I loved to rev it hard to get the horses out. The CVT also made sure the car doesn't feel dead slow but I'd rather not have it.

I haven't had the privilege to try a turbocharged boxer + manual but I'd love to someday. I'm sure Subaru has the magic in there somewhere, but they just lost the plot. Appealing to the mainstream doesn't need to mean deserting the enthusiasts.

Completely agree!

So I went in and test-drove a 2.5i today. In person, it's better looking inside and out. But the prior gen was much better, inside and out. I haven't test-drove the prior gen though, so can't make a direct comparison of the drive. The CVT was pretty decent, which says alot of how far CVT transmissions gave come. For a family car, this would definitely still be my choice vs. the competition as I think better than an Accord (USDM), Altima, Camry, or Fusion.
 
Wait, wait, wait....you have SpecB?
This is me right now ---->:D (there's a reason my face is green right now!)

I always thought SpecB's are a higher PSi'd version of the turbo Flat-4 from the GT? Well as long as I'd get somewhere around 25 mpg and is performance-oriented, I'd be happy.

A bit late with my reply but here in Australia, the Spec B was offered for the turbo 4 as well as the 6 cylinder, however this is currently not the case, but Subaru Australia might offer the Spec B option for the 6 cylinder models somewhere down the line.
 

Subaru

Subaru is the automobile manufacturing division of the Japanese transportation conglomerate Subaru Corporation (formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries). Founded on 15 July 1953, it is headquartered in Ebisu, Shibuya, Japan.

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