In case you didn’t know Subaru is breaking all its personal records with US sales recently. So, there must be something good about it, and in fact, there is. Take a Legacy for example. If you thought about buying a mid-size sedan, this thing wouldn’t pop to your mind instantly, but when you think deeper and actually test some of these, you may end up with one. Anyway, this thing in the past was often sold in close to million units annually, so all those people couldn’t be wrong. The current generation is far from that success sales wise, but it got its perks and refreshed 2018 Subaru Legacy is just on its way.
2018 Subaru Legacy STYLING NOVELTIES
Last year Legacy was updated with more safety features and new trim, but the more extensive mid-life refresh is one in question happening this year. The front fascia has been visibly modernized, with new sharper headlights, differently slated grille, and revised and more aggressive bumper. Rear end now appears sportier with deck lid spoiler and tweaked lower part of the bumper.
CABIN
Interior also got some tweaks. Most noticeable is extended use of piano black coloring which covers whole center console encircled with chromed line along with steering wheel buttons. Also, two-piece dash has become one piece, and higher trim levels are bringing visible stitching decorating it. The infotainment system is also revised, now the base screen is 6.5 inches big which is 0.3 inches increase while the higher option is now 8-inche one which is a rise from previous 7-inches unit.
Subaru claims that optional display is not just bigger but much faster also. Flaw consisting in the lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay has been corrected, and they are part of standard equipment now making this vehicle more interesting for those tech enthusiasts.
PERFORMANCE
Subaru claims that whole car underpinning has been tweaked to produce a higher level of nimbleness and comfort, along with automatic CVT gearbox which allegedly provides better smoothness now. As usual, AWD stays standard, and there are two engine options, both of them boxer units off course. Base one is 2.5-liter flat four delivering 175 hp, and most of the cars will carry that one under the hood since bigger 3.6-liter flat six rated at 256 hp comes only coupled with top of the line Limited trim.
SAFETY
Legacy offers a decent array of safety systems, although a majority of them are optional. Happily now back up camera is again delivered within the standard equipment. Another benefit of many small changes and tweaks is the placing of the child seat that is done more easily and faster.
Refresh is also bringing adaptive headlights and automatic high-beams as part of the options list, while blind-spot monitoring system, lane departure warning systems, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking carries over from the previous model.
2018 Subaru Legacy CONCLUSION
2018 Subaru Legacy received just minor nip and tuck, which do make it more interesting and competitive, but not enough to carve it in your mind when you are thinking about its segment, at least not on the first thought. But that would not change the fact that, although lacking excitement seen with some other rivals, it stays as one of the best complete packages in the segment.
It obviously seems happy with that, and no sudden change of direction is expected anytime soon. If you want one, prepare $20,500 for a start and be patient till the summer when updated model hits the dealer lots.
