Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Engine/Transmission Sport 2.5L DOHC 16-valve flat-4/cont variable auto Touring XT
2.4L turbo DOHC 16-valve flat-4/cont variable auto Curb Weight (F/R Dist) Sport 3,528 lb (59/41%) Touring XT 3,756 lb (59/41%) Wheelbase 108.3 in
Length x Width x Height 190.6 x 72.4 x 59.1 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy Sport 125/96 kW-hr/100 miles Touring XT 140/105 kW-hr/100 miles
CO2 Emissions, Comb Sport 0.64 lb/mile Touring XT 0.72 lb/mileSPECS 2020 Subaru Legacy Sport 2020 Subaru Legacy Touring XT
Base Price/As Tested $27,845/$30,090 $36,795/$36,795
Power (SAE net) 182 hp @ 5,800 rpm 260 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm 277 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 8.1 sec 6.1 sec
Quarter Mile 16.2 sec @ 87.5 mph 14.8 sec @ 94.5 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 127 ft 128 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.79 g (avg) 0.78 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 28.3 sec @ 0.59 g (avg) 27.3 sec @ 0.64 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 27/35/30 mpg 24/32/27 mpgthe dashboard, shifter, and
steering wheel.”
Loh agreed, but like many
other judges, he took issue
with the infotainment system’s
functionality: “Although the giant
screen looks impressive at first, it’s
underwhelming when you dig into
its features.”
First attempts at tapping or
swiping the vertically oriented
11.6-inch touchscreen often don’t
register, and even when they do,
the system is of ten slow to call
up the desired function or menu.
Judges also knocked the screen
for its predilection for glare and
finger smudges.
Mainstream Subarus aren’t
built for performance, and the
Legacy is no exception. Most
judges found the base 2.5-liter
naturally aspirated flat-four’s
182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque
to be merely adequate for
everyday driving. The upgraded
engine in the Legacy XT, a new
260-horsepower, 277-lb-ft
2.4-liter turbocharged boxer-four,
enhances the driving experience
slightly but suffers from turbo lag.
Theodore knocked the upgradedS
ince its introduction in 1989,
the Subaru Legacy has
quietly chugged along as
the cult favorite of the midsize
sedan segment, never posing
a serious threat to the sales
volumes of Honda Accord, Toyota
Camry, or Nissan Altima. Instead,
the Legacy has existed as an
alternative sedan option for
buyers who want the confidence
of all-wheel drive at a compet-
itive price. The 2020 Subaru
Legacy continues that tradi-
tion but is now even more of a
bargain—just as long as “fun” isn’t
one of your car-shopping criteria.
Like most modern Subarus, the
exterior of the seventh-genera-
tion Legacy is “pleasant enough
but forgettable,” Theodore
said—a sentiment shared by
just about everyone else on the
judging panel. But in the interior
design and quality department,
the new Legacy makes healthy
strides.
“The materials are all superb
for the class, especially the
Nappa leather on the Touring
grade,” Ogbac said.
Even the lower-trim 2.5i Sport
model earned praise for its cabin,
with Markus saying it “looks the
business with red stitching onengine for not being well paired
with the CVT, the Legacy’s only
transmission option.
With either engine option, the
Legacy was an understeering
mess on the winding track. The
tires aren’t suited for spirited
driving and squeal in protest
at every corner. The trade-off
of such uninspiring handling,
however, is exceptional ride
comfort.
“I can’t stop being impressed
by the suspension and ride
quality that this Legacy has,”
Cortina said. “It rides better than
most luxury cars.”
Markus agreed. “The ride
quality is very creamy, soaking up
bumps as well as anything here,”
he said, “including the big luxury
sedans.”
Subaru has become the
mainstream Volvo with its multiple
IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards
and EyeSight safety suite that’s
available across the lineup. The
2020 Legacy maintains that trend
by offering EyeSight standard on
all Legacy models.
But buyer beware: Not all
advanced safety systemsare created equal. Judges
complained of random warning
beeps—without any explanation—
that became so annoying that
we turned off all the systems that
could be turned off (though some
have no “of f ” switch). So much for
preventative safety.
Furthermore, the lane keep
assist system doesn’t assist
very well. “Active steering occa-
sionally steered the car over the
centerline and then beeped for
me to fix it,” Markus said. “Thanks
for the help!”
MacKenzie said Subaru’s
“innovative, low-cost EyeSight
system is starting to reach the
limits of its capability,” adding
that it’s “noticeably behind other
driver assist systems in terms of
performance in some areas.”
It might not be the best car in
the field, but MacKenzie captured
the consensus of COTY judges by
declaring the Legacy “an endear-
ingly honest car.” Alex NishimotoTouring XTPRO Supremely comfortable ride • Strong on value and features • Improved interior CON Zero fun factor • Bland styling • Merely adequate enginesCOTY I Finalists
2020 Subaru Legacy
JANUARY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 89