Turbocharged Subaru Legacy is back for 2020

Subaru is showing off the new Legacy sedan at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. The all-new seventh-generation 2020 Legacy rides on the Subaru Global Architecture (SGA) Platform, like the Impreza, Crosstrek, and Ascent. Subaru says that this platform has increased safety and dynamics while reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

The best news is that after an eight year absence the turbocharged engine is once again available in the Legacy. The 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine first seen in the Ascent has made its way to the Legacy. It makes 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque from 2,000-4,800 rpm. The base engine is an upgraded 2.5-liter boxer engine that makes 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Yawn.

Subaru says that 0-60 mph will take estimated 6.1 seconds in the turbo model. I’m sure that the aftermarket will take that as a challenge. Subaru estimates that the fuel economy for the turbo will be a respectable 24/32 mpg city/highway.

But don’t go ghost riding your old Legacy GT into a lake just yet. The only available transmission is Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT. Despite having no gears it has a manual shifting mode and paddle shifters. No word on any other transmission offerings. There is also an engine start/stop feature, which many enthusiast don’t love. Like all Subarus except the BRZ, the new Legacy is all wheel drive. No word yet if the turbocharged model gets a limited-slip rear diff like the WRX.

Interior looks the be upgraded over the previous model as well. The big thing in the middle is an 11.6″ touchscreen in a Tesla Model S-like portrait mode. It allows the use of a navigation system or Apple CarPlay system while being big enough to allow the control of other screen-based features, which there are many of. Dashboard touchscreens are here to stay, get used to them. Other interior improvements include various noise-reducing efforts and increases in space.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy will be available in Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT and Touring XT models when it goes on sale in the fall of 2019. There is no word a wagon version, and no one should expect one in a form other than the Outback. It’s sad that people have almost stopped buying sedans such as the Legacy. This, like the current Accord, seems to be a solid offering.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

2 responses to “Turbocharged Subaru Legacy is back for 2020”

  1. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Great news until I read that it’s CVT-only.

  2. kogashiwa Avatar
    kogashiwa

    When a 2.0T Accord with six-speed manual exists, I have a hard time acknowledging the existence of other midsize sedans.

    I’m sure the take rate on the manual is about what Honda expected though.