Subaru introduces a new Legacy sedan for 2015
With the introduction of the 2015 Subaru Legacy sedan at the Chicago Auto Show last week, the Japanese automaker signaled that it is ready to become a major player in the competitive mid-size sedan segment.
The new design is suggestive of both the 2014 Ford Fusion in its front fascia styling and new headlight design, and the recently introduced 2015 Hyundai Genesis. The redesigned mid-size is packed with a host of new or improved technology and is also more fuel efficient than its predecessor.
Tom Doll, president, COO, and CFO for Subaru of America Inc., told the media at the introduction, “The Legacy has always been the more interesting purchase [option] in a vanilla segment. We know the mid-size segment is looking for a car that is handsome.’’
Apparently, the segment also wants a lot of room. This is the roomiest Legacy ever with the largest passenger cabin in the mid-size segment. Rear seat passengers will have 38.1 inches of legroom.
But that roominess doesn’t come at the price of fuel efficiency. Doll said the 4-cylinder 2.5-liter boxer engine would deliver an estimated 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The more powerful 6-cylinder engine, rated at 256 horsepower, sees an estimated 10 percent jump in fuel consumption, to 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. All mileage figures are pending approval by the EPA. Both engines are mated to Subaru’s continuously variable transmission.
The 2015 Legacy also features Subaru’s improved EyeSight driver assist program, which is the highest rated front-crash-prevention system by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
“Today we are celebrating that we are a sedan company, and the Legacy is a true player,’’ Doll said. The all-wheel sedan goes on sale this summer.
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