The 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited’s a good “looker”; that’s a given, with its new EyeSight.
The EyeSight driver-assistance system was introduced by Subaru at the New York Auto Show earlier this year.
It caught my eye when the new Legacy was delivered to me at the start of last week. The feature is noticeable by the “eyes” just inside the upper edge of the windshield on either side of the rearview mirror.
They’re actually stereo cameras, tied to the car’s braking system and electronic throttle control, that team with other sensors to do all this:
Alerts the driver of an impending collision with the vehicle ahead, automatically applies the brakes to help avoid collision; if the system determines the driver is not using enough brake pedal force, it can apply up to full brake pressure. It is designed also to help prevent acceleration into a stopped vehicle or other obstacle in front by reducing throttle pressure. Below speeds of 19, EyeSight can detect pedestrians in the vehicle’s path and apply braking. Regulates, with adaptive cruise control and automatic braking, the vehicle speed to keep a safe following distance from the car ahead. When traffic has stopped, the system can notify the driver when the vehicle in front has begun moving and the Subaru hasn’t. Issues visual and audible warnings when the driver unintentionally edges out of the travel lane, with its lane-departure warning. If it detects back-and-forth sway movements, as in “drowsy driver,” it issues similar warnings.It’s a well-designed safety option, part of a $3,920 package that also includes a power moonroof, the navigation system, rearview camera, harman/kardon audio with nine speakers, Bluetooth and Streaming connectivity.
The ’13 Legacy sedan carries a stylish look with a redesigned small grille, new large headlamp assemblies, modest fender arches, extended shoulder line and short rear deck.
The Legacy can be unlocked when the driver, with key fob in pocket, touches the door handle. Inside, woodgrain trim and leather seats are highlights. It has a firm rear seat, though very roomy for the passengers both in legroom and headroom. The trunk, too, is fairly spacious, measuring 14.7 in cubic feet. That, though, is slightly smaller than the cargo area of the ’13 Nissan Altima four-door. Air vents have been added to the rear-seat area.
The 256-horsepower, 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine is tied to a 5-speed automatic, which can be moved into manual mode and shifted with paddles. Many competitors are equipped with 6-speed automatics. I averaged 24.8 miles per gallon with the Legacy; it carries and EPA estimate of 18/25. The flat-6 gives the Legacy a heavier feel up front than the popular boxer-4-cylinder with CVT transmission.
Suspension has been improved with increased stiffness to its front struts and rear double-wishbone. It’s an agile handler.
The cruise control, which I’ve criticized in the past for Subaru, is easy to use and much more precise.
Regarding the new EyeSight system at the top of the windshield, Subaru says it reduces the potential for damage that could occur with more-common bumper-mounted systems.
Sticker price on the Legacy 3.6R Limited with the optional package of goodies is $33,677.
A look back
Fifteen years ago this month, in September 1997, I joined automotive writers from around the country in Portland, Ore., to drive the American-built M-Class, Mercedes-Benz’ entry into the SUV market. Excerpts from the review:
Off-roading along a logging trail in the hills around Portland one day last week defined the ruggedness and strong handling characteristics of the new 1998 Mercedes ML320. The day was cloudy and rainy, and the roads were wet, and low range was used to move about fallen trees and over loose rocks. A very low crawl speed and wide tires got us past most obstacles while still gripping the trail. It was a softer test, of course, than it might have received from the bigger, steeper hills above Denver. It has power aplenty from its 3.2-liter SOHC V-6 engine with 215 horsepower and 233 lbs.-ft. of torque. I produced averages of 15.8 miles per gallon for the mountain driving, 14.5 in the low-range stretch and 21.8 on the highway sprint. The interior is very comfortable and roomy. The only flaw was the retractable cupholders at each end of the dash. One of the cupholders fell out of its compartment into the hands of my driving partner, Bill Siuru of Colorado Springs, after he bumped it in climbing into the vehicle. No big deal, except that in mentioning this to Grant Whitmore of Edmunds Publications, upon our flight back to Denver, he said, “The same thing happened in our car.” The $35,000 vehicle this week made its first appearance in local showrooms of Murray Motors and European Motor Cars. It has bothered Mercedes officials for several years that so many well-heeled owners of the German carmaker’s automobiles also have a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer sitting in their driveways – thus, the ML320 is aimed directly at those two popular SUVs.
Saturday Drive can also be viewed online at DenverPost.com/Autos. Bud Wells can be reached via e-mail at bwells@denverpost.com.