The Legacy-Outback is built on Subaru’s Global Platform that debuted on the current Impreza. Subaru notes that the platform of the new cars is 70 percent stronger than its predecessor. The Legacy and Outback are powered by a 2.5L flat-four, but Subaru says that 90 percent of the engine internals are new and it gains direct fuel injection this year as well as a stop-start system. The 2.5L engine produces 182 horsepower. Those keen on greater power can opt for a 260 horsepower, 2.4L turbo flat-four. Power reaches all wheels via a CVT transmission regardless of engine choice.
Like the exterior, the design of the cabin of the new Legacy and Outback is one of gentle evolution rather than significant change. The biggest departure from the past is the 11.6 inch touchscreen that dominates the dash centre stack on higher-end models. The cars are roomy and comfortable and the cabins are nicely finished. The new cars have very roomy cabins, with a commanding driving position and big windows to aid outward vision. The trunk on the sedan is commodious, and while the cargo bay on the Outback is long and quite wide, it is shallower below the windows than some other competitors.
Subaru’s Eyesight active safety suite is standard on all trims. Added for this new-generation car is a Driver Mitigation system that uses facial recognition software to detect driver drowsiness or distraction. Adaptive cruise control, long an Eyesight feature, now includes a new lane centring device.

With the Eyesight safety suite, a power driver’s seat, roof rails, L.E.D. headlights and heated front seats, the base model, the Convenience, is nicely equipped but lacks blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors. Moving up to Touring trim includes an auto-dim mirror, an 11.6 inch infotainment screen, wireless iOS-Android cellphone interface and charging, dual-zone heating, Automatic Emergency Steering, a sunroof, alloy wheels, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors and a power tailgate, and is excellent value. The Onyx model is significantly overpriced for what is essentially a blacked-out appearance package. The Limited, with more soft-touch cabin fittings, navigation, reverse-tilt passenger door mirror, two additional driver seat power adjustments, a power passenger seat, leather seating, a heated rear seat and a Harman-Kardon brand audio system, is great value. Opting for the turbo engine on the Limited trim costs $3000. The Premier range-topper includes a CD player, power-fold mirrors, the Mono camera addition to the Eyesight system, Nappa-process leather and ventilated front seats, at a reasonable price. The Wilderness adds enhanced off-road capabilities including three skid plates protecting major components underneath, heated rear seats and the turbo engine, model is hard to put a value on as it is exclusively turbo, but, compared with the Touring trim, looks overpriced even if $3000 is added for the turbo engine.

Predicted reliability is above average up to around 100,000, after which engine durability problems with the mainstream 2.5L four could become a factor. Subaru claims the oil leaks and expensive head gasket failures have been addressed, but only time will tell whether they have been fixed.