The Chicago Auto Show marks the global debut of the 7th generation Legacy executive sedan which Subaru dubs, “the advanced Legacy in the model’s 30-year history.” It also marks the return to turbo-power—something that was missed in the current-generation model.

Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the 2020 Legacy is stiffer thanks to a 13 percent jump in the use of ultra-high-tensile strength steel and a 371-percent increase in the use of structural adhesives (compared to the initial iteration of the Subaru Global Platform). In two firsts for Subaru, first, the Legacy’s the floor crossmember is filled with a highly-rigid and lightweight two-part foam material and second, it also uses a full inner frame construction (only the outer panels are welded to the structure after the entire body framework is assembled) making it significantly more solid and lighter than ever.



Complimenting the stiffer body, the Legacy rides on front MacPherson Struts and rear Double Wishbones with a 23-mm stabilizer link and 19-mm stabilizer link, respectively. At all four corners is a choice between 17- or 18-inch rims, depending on the variant.

With that, Subaru says that the Legacy should achieve top safety scores thanks to being able to absorb 40 percent more crash energy in front and side crashes while the strengthened suspension and lower center of gravity allows for better and more secure handling.



Marking its return to the Legacy nameplate is a turbocharged Boxer engine. Making 260 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque on the appropriately named “Legacy XT,” the 2.4-liter FA24DIT dispatches the 100 km/h mark in just 6.1 seconds. Meanwhile, those opting for the non-turbocharged Legacy gets a new and improved FB25 with 182 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. 100 km/h is reached in 8.4 seconds. Both engines are mated to a Lineartronic CVT with a lower viscosity oil that reduces horsepower loss by 32 percent.

Style-wise, the 2020 Legacy still won’t turn heads. It manages to look like a giant Impreza though Subaru does mention it’s inspired by the concept of “Bold in Movement.” But while it doesn’t look as spectacular outside, inside is where it delivers. The biggest highlight is the new tablet-style 11.6-inch full HD multimedia display which integrates multimedia, climate control, and vehicle settings (base models get a 7-inch touchscreen system). Nappa leather is also part of the available options as is a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.


For the US market, the all-new Legacy debuts in the third or fourth quarter of the year. For the Philippines though, it’s still a question of whether distributor Motor Image will bring in this model. The current Legacy hasn’t been a strong seller for the brand and has now been reduced to an indent-order model. That said, the best takeaway here is the new turbocharged motor which should fit in nicely, by extension into the Outback and even the current 2019 Forester. Make it work, Subaru.

2020 Subaru Legacy Specifications:

• Overall Length: 4,840 mm
• Overall Width: 1,840 mm
• Overall Height: 1,500 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,750 mm
• Minimum Ground Clearance: 150 mm
• Engine: FB25 2.5-liter DOHC 4-Cylinder (182 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm, 240 Nm @ 4,400 rpm) or FA24DIT 2.4-liter DOHC 4-Cylinder (260 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm, 375 Nm @ 2,000-4,800 rpm)
• Fuel Tank: 70 Liters
• Transmission: Lineartronic CVT
• Tire Size: 225/55 R 17 or 225/50 R 18