2015 Subaru Legacy gets more room, minor price bump

Revamped Subaru Legacy better poised to battle Honda Accord, Toyota Camry

The 2015 Subaru Legacy starts at $22,490. Photo by Subaru.

The 2015 Subaru Legacy will start at $22,490 when it hits dealer lots this summer. The top-of-the-line 3.6R Limited will start at $30,390. Those prices are just $200 more than last year.

For the 2.5-liter boxer four, output goes up two horses to 175 hp, but the real story is the fuel economy improvement: The four-cylinder jumps from 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway to 26 mpg city/36 mpg highway. Credit the CVT "gearbox" that sends power to all four wheels.

The 2.5i also gets an improved 6.2-inch touchscreen with Pandora, Bluetooth, iPod Control and iTunes tagging capability. HD radio, a USB port, aux input jack and four speakers are also standard.

The 2.5i Premium adds the all-weather package, dual-zone climate control, 10-way power driver's seat, and a few other upgrades. The infotainment system in the Premium model measures 7 inches and comes with SMS text messaging connectivity, satellite radio, dual USB ports and six speakers.

The Premium model offers Subaru's EyeSight system that uses stereoscopic cameras to watch the road ahead for hazards. It also features blind-spot detection, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Limited model gets all the features above and adds leather seats, 18-inch wheels, a premium audio system, fog lights and Subaru's rear detection system.

The flagship Limited also gets a 3.6-liter flat-six engine making 256 hp and coupled to a new “high-torque continuously variable transmission." Mileage stands at a respectable 20 mpg city, 29 highway. HID headlights with automatic height adjustment and stainless-steel tipped exhausts are also standard.

The new Legacy will be built at Subaru's plant in Indiana.