The Subaru Outback and Legacy are the sort of cars you don't give a second thought to, until you actually start a family and realize they've fitted everything you need in one shell.
Both cars are all-new for the 2015 model year, and both have fallen into the hands of Consumer Reports just days after Subaru announced 2015 official pricing. Coincidence or carefully planned marketing strategy from the Japanese? We're inclined toward the latter, since deliveries weren't supposed to take place until the summer.
So what's the deal with these two new models? Well, it's a case of everything changes while staying largely the same. Subaru commands the loyalty of many American customers and they didn't want to change too much, just move the game to the next level.
If you want an all-wheel drive midsize sedan, you really don't have a lot of choice. Besides the Legacy, there's also Ford Fusion and starting this year, the Chrysler 200 with a V6, which is still roughly in the same price bracket (starts at $28,690 plus destination). However, Subaru is the only company to offer permanent all-wheel drive as standard and for the relative rock-bottom sticker of around $23,000, so it's in a niche of its own.
The looks have certainly changed for the better. 2015 Legacies are a bit subdued, but the cartoon looks of the older model weren't winning any beauty contests. The Outback is even more of a different car. It almost looks like an SUV now, thanks to body cladding and a Forester-like suspension clearance.
As part of a $1,200 package, Subaru also offers blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and Subaru's EyeSight safety system. The Legacy competes in the same segment as models like the 2014 Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, and Volkswagen Passat, but none of those can keep you safe that cheaply, which is a point that Consumer Reports is keen to make here.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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