Subaru Legacy and Outback Hit Dealerships
Posted by:
Mark Bilek
Fresh off a world introduction at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show, the Subaru Legacy, and its platform mate the Outback, are finally hitting dealership showrooms. According to Subaru National Manager, Product Communications Dominick Infante as he addressed the Midwest Automotive Media Association this past week, the Legacy and Outback are all-new from the ground up and are set to grow Subaru's market share in the midsize sedan and crossover wagon segments.
The new sedan and raised wagon are underpinned by an all-new chassis that 59% stiffer than before. Engines have been refined to be more efficient but still come with Subaru's distinctive flat cylinder design in 2.4- and 3.6-liter sizes. In addition, fuel economy is improved across the board. For example, the Legacy with 2.5-liter four went from EPA number of 24 mpg city 32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined to 26/36/30.
Subaru also added quite a few safety and mechanical enhancements in the refresh. All models again come with all-wheel drive, but Subaru is also offering a system it calls X Mode. It employs torque vectoring to reduce understeer in turns and assists in acceleration, braking and hill descent when the road gets slippery. Safety features include rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot alert, Subaru's Eye Sight system and the addition of two airbags for a total of eight.
The new airbags are mounted in the driver and front-passenger seat cushion and are designed to inflate in a crash to keep front-seat occupants in the correct position for optimal crash protection. Subaru's Eye Sight system is enhanced to have a broader field of view and see further down the road. This allows the system to react more quickly to help a driver avoid a collision. The system can even bring the vehicle to a complete stop if the driver isn't paying attention.
All models get a touch-screen infotainment system and there's an available harmon/kardon sound system for audiophiles. Prices start at $21,695 for the Legacy and $24,895 for the Outback.
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