2018 Subaru Legacy Press Kit


SUBARU DEBUTS 2018 LEGACY WITH MORE ELEGANT STYLING, UPGRADED INTERIOR, NEW SAFETY FEATURES AND ADVANCED MULTIMEDIA


  • Revised front and rear styling for sportier look
  • Redesigned interior with more premium materials
  • Ride made even smoother and quieter
  • Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • New available Steering Responsive LED Headlight system
  • New multimedia capabilities


Cherry Hill, N.J.  -  Subaru of America, Inc. announced the 2018 Legacy midsize sedan that features revised styling and significant upgrades to comfort, safety, and multimedia capability. In addition to major changes, small engineering and design details throughout the 2018 Legacy enhance the driving experience.

The 2018 Legacy, the roomiest sedan in the midsize segment, is available in a 2.5i model with an efficient and responsive 175-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder BOXER engine and as the Legacy 3.6R Limited with a 256-hp 3.6-liter 6-cylinder BOXER engine. Both engines come standard with the Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission) with manual mode and paddle shift control switches. A retuned ECU for 2018 provides the CVT with smoother and more responsive acceleration. The 2.5i is available in standard, Premium, and Sport trims; Limited offers a choice of 2.5i or 3.6R engines. Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Active Torque Vectoring are standard in all trims, making the Legacy the only midsize sedan to feature all-wheel drive standard on all models.

Already an exemplar of passenger safety, the Legacy adds to its array of driver-assist features for 2018, including available new Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH). Available in conjunction with LED headlights, SRH aims the lights into turns as the driver steers. Also for 2018, models with EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology utilize the system’s cameras for High Beam Assist, which automatically turns the high beams on and off depending on traffic conditions.

Sportier, Yet More Elegant Design
The Legacy wears a sportier and more elegant look for 2018, highlighted by wider, lower grille openings and a new bumper that complements the wider Subaru hexagonal grille with a distinctive wing element. The C-shaped headlights and parking lights and new horizontal lines extending outward from the grille subtly suggest the piston motion of the BOXER engine, a Subaru core technology. The redesigned headlights integrate distinctive “Konoji” daytime LED running lights.

Available LED fog lights lend a sophisticated image. Other design details bolster the luxury-class appearance for the 2018 Legacy, including new high-contrast wheel designs and two rich new exterior colors: Magnetite Gray Metallic and Crimson Red Pearl. From the rear, the 2018 Legacy conveys a wider, more planted stance, although the car measures the same width as before. The new tailpipe design integrated into the lower fascia adds a premium touch.

More Responsive and Quieter
Subaru revised the Legacy chassis to make the 2018 model even more comfortable to drive, while also retuning its suspension to enhance agility, steering and brake feel. Retuned dampers reduce the initial impact of bumps while also reducing body roll through turns. Smoother, more linear response from the Electric Power Steering (EPS) and a firmer, more direct brake-pedal feel also make the Legacy more engaging to drive.

Already lauded for its quiet ride, the Legacy moves another step up in cabin comfort for 2018 with further reductions from all noise sources. The Lineartronic CVT on 2.5-liter models now uses a quieter ultra-short-pitch chain, and adjustments to engine timing under acceleration further reduce powertrain noise. Reshaped exterior mirrors are among the number of enhancements that help reduce noise entering the cabin. New sound-insulating inner film glass for the front side windows makes the front seat area quieter, while thicker rear wheel well aprons reduce rear seat ambient noise.

More Comfort, More Tech
The 2018 Subaru Legacy debuts an interior with new premium materials and a redesigned center console with an available 8-in. display screen for enhanced multimedia capabilities. On Premium and higher trims, real stitching on the dash, seats and door panels along with high-gloss black trim and silver-color bezels for various controls enhance the high-quality feel of the Legacy cabin. A new gray interior is now available, in addition to black or ivory. The steering wheel is all new with a sportier look and feel.

Subaru enhanced Legacy comfort in both large and small ways for 2018. The air conditioning system cools the cabin more quickly and provides more uniform temperature throughout the interior. Subaru moved the temperature setting indicator to inside the control dial for more intuitive operation. As an added convenience on all models, interior power is retained for a short time after the ignition has been switched off. The redesigned clock is larger and easier to read.

SUBARU STARLINK Multimedia
The 2018 Legacy gains the brand’s latest SUBARU STARLINK™ Multimedia systems with Bluetooth® wireless capability, iPod® control, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay™ and Android® Auto, and more. The top-level system includes TomTom® navigation with 3 years of free map updates. Two USB power ports are added to the back of the center console for rear seat passengers’ convenience.

The standard STARLINK 6.5” Multimedia System is an upgrade from the previous STARLINK 6.2” system and offers quicker performance. The available STARLINK 8.0” Multimedia System debuts a new 8-in. central display that uses a faster CPU to greatly increase startup speed, giving the touch screen a more smartphone-like operation and feel. More smartphone-linked operations improve the multimedia experience while reducing the need to divert eyes from the road or hands from the steering wheel.

The use of two microphones and technology by Nuance® (maker of Dragon Dictation apps) significantly improves the voice recognition capabilities. The driver can more easily use Apple Siri® or “OK Google” voice commands. The system is also compatible with multiple languages.

Among standard features on all SUBARU STARLINK systems are Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod control, a USB port and auxiliary input jack. High-line trims add more features, including dual USB ports. Smartphone integration features Aha™ and Pandora®, along with STARLINK cloud applications iHeart® Radio, Stitcher™, Calendar, Music Player, News and Weather.

Apps added for 2018 include:
  • Magellan® NAVI offers advanced cloud-based mapping
  • eBird advises of local bird sightings and locations
  • Best Parking locates and compares parking rates
  • YELP® delivers crowd sourced reviews of businesses
  • Glympse® provides real-time location sharing
  • RightTrack® monitors driving habits and recommends improvements
  • Quick Guide is a digital reference guide for the vehicle
  • eventseeker provides information on local events
In Legacy Premium and Limited trims, the STARLINK multimedia systems are compatible with OTA (Over the Air) updates using WiFi.

Safety Leader with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
The Subaru Legacy builds on its long record as a safety standout, with Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) and Steering Responsive Headlight (SRH) systems available for 2018. RAB can detect objects in vehicle’s path and convey audible warnings to the driver, including showing distance and position of the object in the center display screen.

Also new for 2018, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) now detects pressure changes at each tire. The Blind Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic Alert indicator lamp is larger and has been moved from the mirror surface to the side of the mirror. In highline trims, redesigned LED turn signals in the mirrors are easier for other drivers to see.

All Legacy trim lines come standard with a rear-view camera. New for 2018, when reversing, the guidelines displayed on the screen move in sync with the steering to provide more accurate vehicle positioning.

The brand’s available award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, available on most trims, includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Vehicle Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist. Models with EyeSight also come with Blind Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which includes Lane Change Assist. For 2018, all Legacy models are equipped with Incline Start Assist and the electronic Hill Holder® system that holds the vehicle in place until the driver applies the throttle.
The 2018 Subaru Legacy adds features that help enhance personal security. Standard Welcome Lighting automatically operates cabin illumination and exterior lights as the driver approaches or departs the vehicle, and automatic locking doors are new for 2018. improved LATCH anchors help make child seat installation easier.

Two Levels of SUBARU BOXER Power
The Legacy 2.5i is powered by a 175-hp double overhead cam (DOHC) 2.5-liter BOXER engine that produces 174 lb-ft peak torque. The Active Grille Shutter system helps to improve fuel economy by reducing wind resistance. The DOHC 3.6-liter 6-cylinder BOXER engine in the Legacy 3.6R Limited produces 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of peak torque, sustaining 90 percent of peak torque from 2,000-6,000 rpm for exceptional response at all vehicle speeds.

In all Legacy models, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is an active AWD system that uses an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch to actively manage torque distribution based on acceleration, deceleration and available traction. The system automatically directs up to 100 percent of available torque to the wheels with the best grip.

SUBARU STARLINK Connected Services
Two SUBARU STARLINK packages are available and are among the most affordable in the industry. The STARLINK Safety Plus package includes SOA Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Maintenance Notifications, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and Diagnostic Alerts. For even greater peace of mind the STARLINK Safety Plus & Security Plus Package adds Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service, Vehicle Security Alarm Notification, Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Horn and Lights and Remote Vehicle Locator.

Subaru of America, Inc. offers a full line of all-wheel drive sedans, crossovers and SUVs, along with the rear-wheel drive BRZ sports car. The Impreza, Legacy and Outback are built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA).

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 620 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $120 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram .