The new Legacy features revised styling and significant upgrades to comfort, safety, and multimedia capability. In addition to major changes, myriad smaller engineering and design details throughout the 2018 Legacy enhance the driving experience. The 2018 Subaru Legacy will go on sale this summer in the US market.
The 2018 Legacy, the roomiest sedan in the mid-size segment, is available in a 2.5i model with an efficient and responsive 175bhp 2.5-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine, or as the Legacy 3.6R with a 256bhp 3.6-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine. Both engines come teamed as standard with the Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission), which has manual mode and paddle shift control switches. A retuned ECU for 2018 provides the CVT with more responsive and smoother acceleration.
Already an exemplar of passenger safety, the Legacy adds to its array of driver-assist features for 2018, including available new Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH). Available in conjunction with LED headlights, SRH aims the lights into turns as the driver steers. Also for 2018, Limited models with EyeSight utilise the systems’ cameras for High Beam Assist, which automatically turn the high beams on and off depending on traffic conditions.
The Legacy wears a sportier and more elegant look for 2018, highlighted by wider, lower grille openings and a new bumper that complement the wider Subaru hexagonal grille, now with distinctive wing element. The C-shaped headlights and parking lights, along with new horizontal lines extending outward from the grille, subtly suggest the piston motion of the boxer engine, a Subaru core technology. The redesigned headlights now feature distinctive “Konoji” daytime LED running lights.
Available LED foglamps lend a sophisticated image. Other design details bolster the luxury-class appearance for the 2018 Legacy, including new high-contrast wheel designs and two rich new exterior colors, Magnetite Gray Metallic and Crimson Red Pearl. From the rear, the 2018 Legacy conveys a wider, more planted stance, although the car measures the same width as before. The new tailpipe design integrated into the lower fascia adds a premium touch.
Subaru went through the Legacy chassis to make the 2018 model even more comfortable to drive, while also tweaking its suspension to enhance agility and steering and brake feel. Retuned dampers reduce the initial impact of bumps while also reducing body roll through turns. Smoother, more linear response from the Electric Power Steering (EPS) and a firmer, more direct brake-pedal feel also make the Legacy more engaging to drive.
Already lauded for its quiet ride, the Legacy moves another step up in cabin comfort for 2018 with further reductions from all noise sources. The Lineartronic CVT on the 2.5-litre Legacy now uses a quieter ultra-short-pitch chain, and adjustments to engine timing under acceleration further reduce powertrain noise. Reshaped exterior mirrors are among a number of enhancements that help reduce noise entering the cabin. New sound-insulating inner film glass for the front side windows makes the front seat area quieter, while thicker rear wheel-well aprons reduce backseat ambient noise.
The 2018 Subaru Legacy debuts an interior with new premium materials and a redesigned centre console with an available 8-inch display screen for enhanced multimedia capabilities. On higher trims, real stitching on the dash, seats and door panels along with high-gloss black trim and silver-color bezels for various controls enhance the high-quality feel of the Legacy cabin. A new grey interior is now available, in addition to black or ivory. The steering wheel is all-new with a sportier look and feel.
Subaru also enhanced Legacy comfort in both large and small ways. The air-conditioning system cools the cabin more quickly and provides more uniform temperature throughout the cabin, and the temperature setting indicator has been moved to inside the control dial for more intuitive operation. As an added convenience on all models, interior power is retained for a short time after the ignition has been switched off. The redesigned clock is now larger and easier to read.
The 2018 Legacy gains the brand’s latest Subaru Starlink multimedia system with Bluetooth wireless capability, iPod control, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more. The top-level system includes TomTom navigation with 3 years of free map updates. Two USB power ports have been added to the back of the centre console for the convenience of rear seat passengers. 
Read our 2009 comparison of Subaru Legacy, Mazda 6 and Ford Mondeo.
