After showing a teaser photo of its 11.6-inch large portrait infotainment screen, the 2020 Subaru Legacy has been unveiled at the 2019 Chicago Motor Show, bringing with it a more luxurious interior, more tech, as well as the first turbo engine since the Legacy 2.5 GT’s discontinuation in 2014.
The all-new Subaru Legacy carries an evolutionary styling approach, meaning it retains many of the familiar shapes and design cues from its predecessor. The front fascia is characterized by a frameless hexagonal grille which is flanked by a pair of LED headlights with the signature c-shaped LED daytime running lights, while the lower fascia features a black molding the connects the lower air intakes with the foglight housings. This look evokes the look of an aircraft, says Subaru. There are also wider fenders, reworked side mirrors that improve aerodynamics, as well as a more dynamic roofline that flows much cleaner towards the rear trunk lid.
Underneath the Legacy is the Subaru Global Platform, the fourth vehicle in Subaru’s line-up to utilize the brand’s scalable platform. Compared to its predecessor, the all-new Legacy is 70% stiffer in both torsional and front suspension rigidity and 100% stiffer in both front lateral flexural and rear subframe rigidity. This has resulted in better handling, stability, ride comfort, as well as being able to absorb over 40% more energy during front/side crashes than its predecessor. Quietness has also been improved by as much as 3 dB less compared to the previous model.
Whereas the exterior features evolutionary styling, the interior is completely different from the previous model. The biggest highlight of them all is the latest version of the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 11.6-inch full HD portrait touch screen interface. This feature is standard on all but the base model, which instead features twin 7-inch WVGA touch screen LCD displays that split multimedia controls and climate controls. Elsewhere, there’s plenty of soft-touch surfaces, stitching details, and for the first time ever, a Nappa Leather interior when US buyers opt for the top-spec Touring trim. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is available as an option.
In terms of safety, Subaru’s EyeSight continues to be offered in the Legacy, which now features Lane Centering Assist for the first time in the US market. DriverFocus, which is an anti-distracted driving feature that first debuted in the US-market Forester also makes its way here. The system utilizes a set of cameras and sensors to not only remember seat, mirror, and other vehicle settings for up to a set number of drivers but also to prevent distracted driving by giving drivers warning when they are looking away from the road or using their smartphone while driving.
Under the hood of the all-new Legacy are two boxer engines. The first one is a 2.5-liter FB25B H4 boxer engine from the all-new Forester, producing 182 hp and 238 Nm of torque. The other one is a 2.4-liter FB24F H4 turbocharged boxer engine from the first-ever Subaru Ascent, producing 260 hp and 375 Nm of torque. Power is sent through Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system via Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT, the only transmission available.
The all-new Subaru Legacy will go on sale in North America this fall. A Philippine launch is most likely going to happen in 2020.
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