Review: Subaru Legacy previews EyeSight system

Subaru is rethinking its position in the South African market. Not to suggest the Japanese carmaker has forgotten about its fanatical WRX and STi owners and the prominent car club scene it has established, but times are changing and not everyone wants an obnoxiously fast sedan with gaudy trim bits. Subaru is therefore waving the light on its lifestyle and safety awards.

These safety systems fitted to the 2016 Subaru Legacy include blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert. Neither of these being cutting-edge features, although their inclusion continues to be essential   in lowering accident rates. Closing and opening the doors you can sense the structural rigidity and high quality build. The Subaru Legacy always feels connected to the road accentuated by accurate steering and impeccable spring control.

Active Safety is where the Subaru shows its age, unable to offer popular systems like City Brake or Active Lane Keeping Assist.

We’ve long begged for the 2.0-litre turbo engine especially when the 3.6-litre chugs 12l/100km on the daily commute coupled with fat emission tax. With 191kW and 350Nm the Subaru Legacy should put up a fight for the symmetrical all-wheel drive but the CVT gearbox sucks the life from it. This is still the best example of CVT gearbox on sale but it’s agonisingly bland and not even the few engine modes can pull it out of its slump.

Once you’ve appreciated the Legacy’s class-leading interior space and enormous boot, it’s time to try out the new touchscreen (which is one of the few to sit flush in the dashboard) and the quick response rate never gets an input wrong. The Harmon Kardon system is excellent, there’s Bluetooth streaming but not the multifaceted smartphone integration that’s currently being introduced by rival brands. If you jump out of a similarly priced Lexus, not having luxuries such as heated seats or electric opening boot will be slightly upsetting. The rear camera graphic doesn’t adjust to the steering input so parking this 4.8-metre long Legacy still requires close attention.

Currently Subaru South Africa is negotiating the arrival of the EyeSight system to our market and if they succeed, every Subaru model will benefit. EyeSight uses stereo cameras to identify the car’s surroundings and bundles a range of safety assists like lane keeping, active cruise control and Pre-Collision braking. The technology is available and Subaru can’t afford to wait much longer to introduce it locally.

Well crafted, Subaru Legacy possesses one of the finest rides on the market, a hushed and spacious cabin and all-wheel drive underpinnings that at times are too far too sophisticated for the engine. The new safety systems are relevant and improve the package but they alone are unlikely to make the Legacy suddenly appear on your shopping list.