Topic: Long-Term Test Update 2: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i

[Autos_Editor]

Commuter comfort.
Read More...

[Kris78]

Seeing as you asked....I have two questions!

1) How did you find the child seat install? Were the lower latches easy to find, or were they buried? Also, it looks like the front edge of the child seat was close to the front edge of the seat.

2) You mention the power being less than ideal. Would the manual have helped at all, or does the CVT draw as much power as possible out of the mill?

Thanks

[redman]

The 2.5L is decent for puttering around town. I do like the new FB engine with the oil filter on top.
The 6 cyl now comes with the CVT (first year) a better choice if doing mostly highway.
A 2.0T not available in the 15 Legacy might be the best solution between both these engines.

[JRM]

While not really ugly or good looking, the styling is soooooooo generic.  No thanks to a CVT, as long as automatics with a manual mode are still available, that is.

[Noto]

Like I said in every one of these forums, I really really like the Legacy. I'm not a mid-size car kind of guy, but I find that the Legacy drives so well (sh1t OEM tires aside) that it overcomes the size, which would be beneficial for hauling my peeps in the back.

The 2.5i Limited with Eyesight is the best trim, except that to get HIDs you need to get the 3.6R. I'm a little pissy about it, but I think that the 2.5i is more than merely adequate and felt just as peppy as the Mazda6 or any other 4-banger...just not in a 0-60 line; the CVT's shining glory is once already in motion.

[mixmanmash]

Audio options include Aha and Pandora, neither of which I use (sorry), and a newfangled radio service that cannot be activated while in motion. With SiriusXM onboard, it’s hard to find motivation when the music and entertainment are so good there. 

I disagree.  I had SiriusXM's free 3 month trial in my Odyssey.  While good, I found many of the stations to be repetitive.  As well, I can't justify the cost for it when Aha has so much more variety and putting that money towards a data plan for my phone instead.

[EV-Light]

Like I said in every one of these forums, I really really like the Legacy. I'm not a mid-size car kind of guy, but I find that the Legacy drives so well (sh1t OEM tires aside) that it overcomes the size, which would be beneficial for hauling my peeps in the back.

The 2.5i Limited with Eyesight is the best trim, except that to get HIDs you need to get the 3.6R. I'm a little pissy about it, but I think that the 2.5i is more than merely adequate and felt just as peppy as the Mazda6 or any other 4-banger...just not in a 0-60 line; the CVT's shining glory is once already in motion.

  you are a Subaru guy, that's different.

[EV-Light]

I haven't seen one yet, but the design looks OK for me. Interior is up to 2010 standards, which is certainly an improvement over the 2000s design Subaru still has and some of their offerings.
I am quite impressed by the price, you can get a decently equipped AWD sedan for $26K, which isn't much more than one would pay for a similarly equipped Impreza.

[OliverD]

I just wish they still offered a real wagon. The looks of the new Legacy/Outback are a huge improvement over the last one and the interior seems quite nice but I'm not interested in paying the premium for something I don't need or want.

Actually, I might be able to tolerate the Outback more if it wasn't for that ridiculous roof rack design.

[jyarkony]

Seeing as you asked....I have two questions!

1) How did you find the child seat install? Were the lower latches easy to find, or were they buried? Also, it looks like the front edge of the child seat was close to the front edge of the seat.

2) You mention the power being less than ideal. Would the manual have helped at all, or does the CVT draw as much power as possible out of the mill?

Thanks

Child seat install i mentioned in the first update - despite being hidden behind cloth covers, the anchors are fairly easy to reach, and the anchor for the third tether is also easy to access. room is not an issue - that seat has huge bolsters, which makes it look close to the front seat, but it's not bad at all, and my wife fits reasonably well between the two child seats, though many average sized adults would not (she is tiny). the only issue is roof height, which forces me to bend to get the kids buckled.

I don't think the manual would have helped - it would have likely meant more work on my end, for little reward in acceleration - I'm sure there would be a tad more power, but just not enough to make a significant impact. however, i take pleasure in rowing the gears themselves, and a bit of concentration on clutch and throttle would likely distract from the power deficiency, so there is that.

[jyarkony]

Audio options include Aha and Pandora, neither of which I use (sorry), and a newfangled radio service that cannot be activated while in motion. With SiriusXM onboard, it’s hard to find motivation when the music and entertainment are so good there.

I disagree.  I had SiriusXM's free 3 month trial in my Odyssey.  While good, I found many of the stations to be repetitive.  As well, I can't justify the cost for it when Aha has so much more variety and putting that money towards a data plan for my phone instead.

Maybe I'm just not picky enough, but I find SiriusXM has better genre divisions than FM or AM, with nice alternatives to my usual alternative, and stiff for the kids that is easy to find. However, I hate that the one station that plays punk spends half its day broadcasting some Aussie wanker instead of playing its pretty damn cool selection of punk, hip hop and rock.

but since aha is free, hey, i think i'll give it a shot - know any good punk stations or alt rock?

[cruzzer]

Want to test drive a manual 2.5i in the Vancouver area, but they cannot find a single one. 8.6 with urban driving time is quite good. Read mostly good things about the new Legacy and Outbacks.

[Noto]

but since aha is free,

...define "free"?  If you have unlimited data bandwidth on your celly, then sure.  For me to upgrade my bandwidth, it'd be a minimum of $15/month...which is more than paying for XM.

In the US, where Starlink was aimed at, it made sense because of all the 'unlimited' data plans.  It works here if you're on Wind.

...but Rogers, Bell, or Telus will you so hard if you try to use Aha.  Boo to all cellphone-connected cars.  It's like the sh!t quality of the bluetooth in my 2006 RX400h.  "Wow, your car has Bluetooth?!" said someone in 2007.  Now, "Goddamn it, Noto, I can't hear a word you're saying.  Your car's Bluetooth is sh!t!"

Telecommunications technology becomes obsolete before your car does/should.

[OliverD]

This is why I just load Spotify playlists onto my phone. No worries about data usage.

[Noto]

This is why I just load Spotify playlists onto my phone. No worries about data usage.

and stream via bluetooth/AUX cable?  ...that's not Aha or something similar, I'm assuming.

[OliverD]

No, not Aha. Spotify you can stream too but it's nice to have the option not to. You can sync their curated playlists as well as your own.

[woolfreyp]

Picking up my 2015 touring 6spd manual this weekend. Only drove the automatic briefly before ordering. Worried about the power and stereo but what else can you get with awd, a manual, sunroof, etc for 26500? (excluding too small impreza) Plus the resale value. Upgrade the speakers, enjoy rowing own gears and save some money on gas is the plan. Getting 750 off for new grad and 500 for holiday bonus right off the bat didn't hurt either when combined with the relatively low rates.

[Qship]

Wow, 8.6 L/100 kms is pretty good in my eyes. Urban driving in cooler temps on a still green engine. Imagine when you get it on the highway in warmer weather with a fully broke in engine. Should be able to see 7-7.5 L/100 kms realistically.

And, I too wish they would bring back the Legacy Wagon.

[OliverD]

Picking up my 2015 touring 6spd manual this weekend. Only drove the automatic briefly before ordering. Worried about the power and stereo but what else can you get with awd, a manual, sunroof, etc for 26500? (excluding too small impreza) Plus the resale value. Upgrade the speakers, enjoy rowing own gears and save some money on gas is the plan. Getting 750 off for new grad and 500 for holiday bonus right off the bat didn't hurt either when combined with the relatively low rates.

Congrats! That is a lot of car for the money.

[Noto]

Picking up my 2015 touring 6spd manual this weekend. Only drove the automatic briefly before ordering. Worried about the power and stereo but what else can you get with awd, a manual, sunroof, etc for 26500? (excluding too small impreza) Plus the resale value. Upgrade the speakers, enjoy rowing own gears and save some money on gas is the plan. Getting 750 off for new grad and 500 for holiday bonus right off the bat didn't hurt either when combined with the relatively low rates.

enjoy!!  Agree that if you want AWD and don't need a CUV, the legacy is a great buy!