2028 Subaru Legacy: Should the midsize car get another chance?

With the news that the Subaru Legacy will be retired after the 2025 model year, one can’t help but wonder what would have happened if the Japanese automaker had invested more in the model that has been in service since 1989.

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It is important to understand that the current market environment is not favorable for midsize sedans. The Ford Fusion has been discontinued, the Mazda6 has been discontinued, the Honda Accord is facing challenges, and GM recently announced the discontinuation of the Malibu.

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These factors, along with a shift in consumer preferences toward SUVs and crossovers, led to the demise of the Legacy.

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What went wrong?

For Subaru enthusiasts, the news comes as a tough (albeit expected) blow. After all, it could be argued that the Legacy has been on a downward trajectory since the much-admired fourth-generation car that served from 2003 to 2009 (as the owner of a previous JDM-spec 2.0-liter GT, I may be a little biased).

The fifth-generation Legacy that followed underwent a transformation that wasn’t without its problems. The sedan’s styling was unpalatable, and the wagon, sold in Japan, Europe, and New Zealand, was, to put it mildly, unappealing. The sixth-generation Legacy sedan attempted to recapture the spirit of its predecessor, but the high-riding Outback replaced the standard wagon.

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While the current model is commendable enough, it lacks the flat-six six-speed manual engine and early rally pedigree its predecessors were known for, which helped Subaru and Colin McRae win the New Zealand Rally in 1993. Those unique qualities that once made the Legacy stand out are crucial to any revival.

Competitors have also cannibalized the Legacy’s unique all-wheel-drive DNA. Toyota, for example, will sell you a 232-hp (173-kW), 50-mpg all-wheel-drive hybrid Camry, while the Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata offer four-wheel traction. Unless you’re a Subaru diehard, it’s understandable that buyers would look elsewhere in an environment where fuel economy is so critical these days.

Recreate the magic

Illustration Josh Byrnes / Carscoops

If Subaru changes its mind, what final solution would ensure this beloved midsize car has a better chance of competing?

The vision was to create a stylish sports tourer in the Spec-B STI look. It features frameless windows, floor-hugging proportions and front-end graphics similar to the current WRX. The full-width daytime running line, hood scoop and front splitter accentuate the go-fast look, while the rear features wraparound tailgate glass, quad exhaust pipes and smoked LED taillights.

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Inside, the focus should be on a driver-centric cockpit with premium materials, Alcantara sports seats, and top-notch infotainment and connectivity features.

In terms of powertrain, it will ideally feature a new 340-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a large-capacity 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, utilizing Subaru’s recently announced series-parallel hybrid technology, combined with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission.

Bilstein adaptive damping, six-piston caliper brakes, active torque vectoring, an underbody aerodynamics kit, and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires will enhance handling, as will front and rear strut-tower cross bracing for increased torsional rigidity.

This is what we envision for the Subaru Legacy; what are your thoughts? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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