Subaru’s 2020 Legacy Sport mid-size four-door sedan will put a smile on the face of longtime loyalists and first-time newbies alike.
The Japanese automaker, which builds the Legacy at a plant in Indiana, loads lots of new features to this all-wheel driver that is already a favorite of countless Northwesterners. I must confess, I’m one – owner of a Forester.
For starters, the Legacy is now built on the Subaru Global Platform, which offers increased safety, dynamics and quietness as well as reduced noise, vibration and harshness.
Award-winning Eyesight Driver Assist Technology with adaptive cruise control is standard operating equipment on every trim level, including the debut of XT and Touring trims.
The Legacy is now powered by an upgraded 2.5 BOXER engine that delivers 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine is mated to a Lineartronic CVT eight-speed automatic transmission and the pair attains 35 miles per gallon down the highway as rated by the EPA.
Auto start-stop is now standard to improve vehicle fuel efficiency. I was stopped at traffic lights for over a half-hour, and saved two-tenths of a gallon – I’m figuring 60 cents worth of gas.
Legacy Sport seats five adults and the 2020 model provides one cubic foot more passenger volume, and another 1.4 inches of rear passenger leg room. It may not sound like much – just like the 60 cents – but it all adds up.
Rounding out the new category is a tablet-style (11.6-inch, high-resolution) multimedia touchscreen that literally lights up the dash, LED headlights, and an available in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot provide internet access via high-speed LTE communications.
Other goodies include Apple CarPlay, Andriod Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, 12V power outlet, power moon roof, navigation, multi-view camera, dual-zone climate control, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist and remote keyless entry.
The conservative exterior features included a Magnetite Gray Metallic coat of enamel, 18-inch alloy wheels with black finish, LED fog lights and trunk spoiler.
My tester also included an all-weather package that added three-mode heated seats and steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icer. Aluminum alloy pedal covers are included with the Sport trim level.
The previous mentioned Eyesight Driver Assist Technology uses a pair of cameras and other sensors to provide dynamic cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, and lane-keeping. The dynamic cruise control is well-calibrated, and you can dial up the aggressiveness of the system’s intervention when it gets worried you may hit something.
Base Price: $27,845
Price As Driven: $30,090
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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