2019 Chicago Auto Show: 4 things to know about the all-new 2020 Subaru Legacy

CHICAGO — Other than the reveal of the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, the big news from the 2019 Chicago Auto Show was the introduction of the 2020 Subaru Legacy.

This compact sedan enters its seventh generation built on the Subaru Global Platform with standard all-wheel drive. Here are four other things you need to know about this all-new vehicle:

New XT Model

The biggest news is the 2020 model year marks the return of the turbocharged engine to the Legacy lineup. The XT model with the up-level 2.4-liter Boxer turbo engine will be available in both Limited and Touring trims.

This engine will deliver 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque with an estimated 0-to-60-mph time of 6.1 seconds. The base engine for the non-turbo Legacy will be the same 2.5-liter engine that recently debuted in the 2019 Forester. It will deliver 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque.

Tablet-sized Info Screen

One of the most visible changes to the 2020 Legacy will be on the inside. The Premium, Sport, Limited trims will get a standard 11.6-inch infotainment screen that will control multimedia, HVAC and vehicle settings. The Touring trim gets the screen plus standard navigation.

The screen will have configurable app buttons that can be arranged for personal preference similar to apps on a smart phone, and it will also have a split-screen display so that you can show two types of information at the same time.

Standard EyeSight

One of the things we love about Subaru is its focus on safety, and it’s one of the first automakers to begin making its up-level safety suite standard on all trims. This driver assist feature includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane centering technology.

Additional available safety features on the new Legacy include driver distraction mitigation, a front monitor with a 180-degree view, LED responsive headlights, reverse automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Fall On-Sale Date

Though the Legacy is a 2020 model, the plan is to see this vehicle on the road before the end of 2019. Subaru is targeting an on-sale date in the fall. Pricing will be announced closer to the official release, but it’s worth nothing that the base price of the current model is $23,430.

The Bottom Line

Subaru is offering a sleeker design, smoother ride, more content and an all-around better vehicle with the all-new Legacy. We love the standard AWD and safety equipment. What’s more, the base price isn’t likely to skyrocket either.

That’s a win-win-win-win in our book.