NO MUSS, NO FUSS
THERE’S NOTHING FANCY ABOUT SUBARU’S 2016 LEGACY. IT’S JUST A RELIABLE SEDAN THAT WON’T LET YOU DOWN.
Overview Award-winning mid- size AWD sedan
Pros Safe, four- season traction, roomy
Cons PZEV is not standard, understated styling Value for money Good
What I would change Make
PZEV standard
How I would spec it As is
Canadians may like their mid- size family sedans; they just don’t like them as much as they used to, and certainly not as much as do the Americans.
For years, part of Subaru’s charm was an inherent outof- sync nature in relation to the rest of the auto industry, with a quirkiness embodied in most of its engineering-focused, hyper- rational, all- wheel- drive products. With this newest Legacy, however, charm takes a back seat, replaced with an “I’m with them” attitude that has it blend right in with the members of the mid-size segment’s majority — Camry, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.
I’m not overly concerned about this development. I truly “get” the Legacy’s normalcy. It wins me over not because it does anything extraordinary, but because it has no major faults and few minor ones. It just goes about its business with a competency that lulls.
Caveat here, this is the Legacy 2.5i Touring I’m talking about, one up from the base 2.5i, and the test vehicle was augmented with the optional Technology package. So, there’s nothing at all sporty about it, no tie- in with Subaru’s rally heritage or performance-heavy WRX products.
Wait, I lie! Its continuously variable transmission has a manual mode and paddle shifters, ideal when strafing country roads while taking Granny out for a Sunday drive. Actually, that would be the available six-speed manual transmission (standard on the base 2.5i), Subaru being one of the diminishing few offering a stick in the family sedan segment. On behalf of members of the three- pedal club, I thank you. As for the paddle shifters, how silly.
The CVT is mated to a 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder, which puts out a wholly estimable 175 horsepower. Considering the engine is tuned for fuel efficiency, plus the added weight of the full- time allwheel drivetrain, t he 1 , 600- kilogram Legacy’s 10- second acceleration time to 100 km/ h is adequate, if not exactly inspiring.
To give credit where due, though, Subaru has managed to dampen most of the mechanical discord inherent in a flat- four layout. The sound of the engine is rarely discernible under normal operation — once warmed up, that is. At highway speeds, the 2.5-L is ticking over at a low 2,400 rpm at 120 km/ h, and being very efficient while doing so. ( If bigger thrills are needed, one can always upgrade to the vastly more potent 256hp 3.6-L flat-six.)
Rated at 6.5 L/ 100 km on the highway and 9.0 L/ 100 km in the city, I averaged a far more realistic 10.9 L/100 km during my time with the sedan, with a 50/50 split be- tween highway use and suburban commuting. My only peeve with the firm is that it continues to make its Partial Zero Emission Vehicle technology optional instead of standardizing it. ( PZEV reduces smog-forming emissions to near zero with little, if any, compromise to engine performance.)
Ride and handling are very good for a family car, with firm contact on the road and a proper weight to the electric power steering. In addition to the active torque- split version of Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system ( when equipped with the Lineartronic CVT), the Legacy comes with Active Torque Vectoring, an enhancement of the Vehicle Dynamics Control stability and traction control system, which can apply brake pressure to the inside front wheel to facilitate more neutral cornering. In short, there’s serious grip to be had, even in bad weather. (Still, winter tires are an astute investment.)
While on the subject of safety, Subaru’s EyeSight driver- assistance system — the key component of the Technology package available on the Touring — is a prudent purchase decision. It integrates adaptive cruise control, pre- collision braking and a vehicle lane-departure warning.
The package also includes a proximity key with push-button start, steeringresponsive fog lights and a larger five-inch colour display. It isn’t foolproof, though, and is capable of shutting down depending on ambient light, road con- ditions and/or traffic.
Inside, the tester’s dash area sports a Scandinavian, Ikea- like decor; functional, logical, tasteful and cheerful. There’s little high- tech gimmickry to confuse, just wellmarked buttons and controls, highlighted by a binocular-style instrument pod and a centre LCD information display (measuring 3.5 inches on cars without EyeSight).
Since t he Legacy was all- new last year, updates for 2016 are minor. All trim levels come standard with wiper- linked automatic on/ off headlights; if the wipers are on for more than 10 seconds, the headlights will turn on. Also, the rear- view parking guide now has a customizable on/off function for the guidelines.
The i nterior is plenty comfy, with more t han enough room front and back for six-footers.
Its full- time AWD system sets the Legacy apart from its mid- priced, non- luxurybrand competition and makes it a favoured ride in snowbelt regions. The Ford Fusion, Chrysler 200S/ 200C and the Regal make AWD available within their model lineups, but at significantly higher prices.
Other than that advantage, though, the Subaru is a bit of an introvert, its core attributes — reliability and safety — and its competency taking time to reveal. Still, if you aren’t out to make a statement — but you don’t want to be like most of your neighbours and their crossovers — the Legacy should be on your shopping list. There’s nothing fancy or quirky, it’s just one of those cars you inherently know won’t let you down.