Review: 2015 Subaru Legacy has the magic

What's Subaru's secret? Other automakers looked on in wonder as the little Japanese automaker racked up one sales record after another for the last several years. Competitors shook their heads, unable to figure out the secret of Subaru's magic.

How about selling good cars at good prices, with popular features, high reliability and a strong brand image?

The ★★★★ 2015 Subaru Legacy makes a strong case that Subaru won its sales gains the old-fashioned way: by delighting its customers.

There's nothing flashy about the Legacy. The midsize sedan quietly excels.

It's a simple formula, but "simple" doesn't mean "easy."

Like every Subaru but the BRZ sport coupe, the Legacy has standard all-wheel drive, but its fuel economy is as good or better than most front-wheel-drive midsize sedans. The Legacy is also loaded with safety and convenience features.

Prices for the 2015 Legacy start at $21,695 with a 175-hp 2.5L four-cylinder engine. All the Legacy models feature a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). A 256-hp 3.6L six-cylinder engine is available starting at $29,595. Both engines have the horizontally opposed cylinder layout that's called the boxer design because the pistons appear to be punching toward each other. That horizontal movement makes boxers very smooth, with vibration-free running that, like all-wheel-drive, is a Subaru hallmark.

I tested a nicely equipped Legacy 2.5i Premium. Features included Bluetooth phone and audio compatibility, a touch screen, adaptive cruise control, lane departure, blind spot and cross traffic alerts, heated front seats, eight air bags, a power driver's seat, and automatic braking to avoid collisions. It stickered at $24,990, a very good price for a midsize sedan with those features.

The Legacy competes with the Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat.

That's Murderers' Row of competitors, but the Legacy's value and features stack up exceptionally well. Most competitors don't even offer all-wheel drive. Those with an AWD option — Fusion and 200 — can't match the Legacy 2.5i's fuel economy or price. The availability of features like radar-based adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and automatic braking for less than $25,000 also set the Legacy apart.

The Legacy is a car, not a magic carpet, so there are some trade-offs. The 2.5L engine produces less power than the competitors' comparable engines.

The Legacy 2.5i's acceleration is fine for leisurely jaunts around town, but the boxer is punching above its weight when asked to perform quick maneuvers at highway speeds. The drivetrain has a droning note at higher speeds. That's not uncommon with CVTs.

The Legacy 2.5i's EPA fuel economy rating of 26 m.p.g. in the city, 36 on the highway and 30 combined tops comparably powered models of the Malibu, 200, Fusion, Sonata, Optima, Camry and Passat.

The adaptive cruise control, collision alert and lane departure warnings operate smoothly, without the frequent noodging that mars some driver-assistance features.

The interior is roomy. The passenger compartment is one of the largest in the segment, trailing only the 2015 Hyundai Sonata in size. Head, leg and shoulder room are generous. The trunk is one of the segment's smallest, but a wide opening and even shape make it useful.

The interior looks and feels terrific. My car had soft materials on most surfaces and attractive aluminum-look trim.

The gauges are big and legible. The voice-recognition works well for hands-free phone calls. The touch screen icons are small for use in a moving car, and the touch screen itself responds slowly.

The Legacy uses a new platform, but its exterior styling makes it easy to overlook, despite the car's many virtues. Subaru seems to have replaced its traditional quirky looks with a conservative, almost generic approach.

That low-profile appearance will undoubtedly add to competitors' puzzlement at Subaru's success. The secret: build a better car.

Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com or 313-222-6731. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.

Behind the Wheel

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium

All-wheel-drive five-passenger midsize sedan

Price as tested: $24,990 (excluding destination charge)

Rating: ★★★★ (Out of four stars)

Reasons to buy: All-wheel drive; value; fuel economy; reliability

Shortcomings: Engine noise; acceleration; touch screen response

Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings

(Automatic transmission models; only Legacy has all-wheel-drive)

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium: 26 mpg city/36 highway/30 combined. Regular gasoline.

Chevrolet Malibu 2LT 2.5L: 25/36/29. Regular gasoline.

Chrysler 200S 2.4L: 23/36/28. Regular gasoline.

Ford Fusion SE 1.5L: 24/36/28. Regular gasoline.

Honda Accord EX: 27/36/31. Regular gasoline.

Hyundai Sonata Limited: 25/37/29. Regular gasoline.

Kia Optima EX: 23/34/27. Regular gasoline.

Mazda 6i Touring: 26/38/30. Regular gasoline.

Nissan Altima 2.5 SV: 27/38/31. Regular gasoline.

Toyota Camry SE: 25/35/28. Regular gasoline.

VW Passat 1.8T Wolfsburg: 24/36/28. Regular gasoline.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

Comparative base prices (excluding destination charges)

(Automatic transmission models; only Legacy has all-wheel-drive)

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium: $23,495

Chevrolet Malibu 2LT 2.5L: $25,595

Chrysler 200S 2.4L: $24,825

Ford Fusion SE 1.5L: $24,830

Honda Accord EX: $25,830

Hyundai Sonata Limited: $26,525

Kia Optima EX: $24,100

Mazda 6i Touring: $24,895

Nissan Altima 2.5 SV: $24,720

Toyota Camry SE: $23,840

VW Passat 1.8T Wolfsburg: $24,135

Source: Autotrader.com

Specifications as tested

Engine: 3.5L 16-valve horizontally opposed four-cylinder

Power: 175 hp @ 5,800 rpm; 174 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable automatic

Wheelbase: 108.3 inches

Length: 188.8 inches

Width: 72.4 inches

Height: 59.0 inches

Curb weight: 3,455 lbs.

Where assembled: Lafayette, Ind.

Key features on vehicle tested

Standard equipment: Antilock brakes; stability control; side air bags; air bags in front seat bottom cushions; curtain air bags; daytime running lights; fog lights; intermittent wipers; active grille shutter; backup camera; air conditioning; Bluetooth phone and audio compatible; dual zone climate control; heated driver seat; leather-wrapped steering wheel; AM/FM radio; Sirius satellite radio; touch screen; 60/40 split folding rear seat; 17-inch alloy wheels; 10-way power driver seat, two USB ports.

Options: Adaptive cruise control; lane departure alert; automatic pre-collision braking; blind spot and rear cross traffic alert, PZEV emissions.