Subaru announced that it will be unveiling the 2020 Subaru Legacy at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. The announcement comes just a couple of days before the car's official launch and it comes along with two teasers that showcase the exterior and the interior. To be honest, we weren't very excited until the company decided to drop those two teasers, and now, we cannot wait to check this beauty out.

This Looks Like A Facelift Instead Of A New-Generation

This car actually has a long 'legacy' behind it. It was introduced for the first time in 1989 and is currently in its sixth generation. The 2020 Legacy is supposed to be the seventh generation, but it looks more like a facelift than a new car. The Legacy has been a consistent car for Subaru in the U.S., as the automaker has sold an average of 54,000 examples of the car every year over the past five years.

So, considering this, we expected a brand new design that could sustain for the next five-odd years without aging. But Subaru decided to retain the core aesthetics of the car; or, that is what it looks like from the first teaser that shows the silhouette of the Legacy. It also comes with LED daytime running lights and a sloping roofline. The left side of the grille and the frame of both the driver and back passenger windows is reminiscent of the 2019 Legacy. In the rear, we can see a sliver of the red taillight that again appears to resemble that of the 2019 model. Will this 'facelift' be enough to change the tide of the declining sales?

The 2020 Subaru Legacy's Interior Seems Impressive

The second teaser shows the dash and center console of the car, and I must say, I am mighty impressed. The new Tesla-esque, vertically mounted touchscreen infotainment system is a welcome change - rather, a necessary change - for Subaru fans. On the touchscreen display, we can see that Sirius XM is playing at the top and below that are nine square icons including those labeled radio, map, phone, and apps. Below these tabs is a collections of basic car information like speed and climate control status. On the left and right sides of the screen are physical buttons that appear to control the emergency lights, defrosters, and temperature. The number of buttons seem to have come down, and things are looking more touch-based. It will surely intrigue the tech heads who stayed clear from the Legacy in the past.

Is the 2020 Subaru Legacy An Improvement Over The 2019 Subaru Legacy?

The 2019 Subaru Legacy was not a looker per se, but it came with looks that offended none. It was a car that knew its purpose and served it well. While the base trim looked rather plain, the Sport and Limited trim were seemingly better. On the inside, the 2019 Subaru Legacy was a perfect family hauler that came with all the necessary creature comforts and a spacious cabin. There is no dearth of space whatsoever, and the seats are one of the best in this price range. The 2019 Legacy came with a 6.5-inch infotainment system for the lower trims, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system for the top trim. Both of them supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

It came with two engine options, which will most likely be carried over to the 2020 Subaru Legacy as well. A 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that develops 175 horses and 174 pound-feet of torque took care of the duties in the lower trims, while a 3.6-liter, six-cylinder unit that produces 256 horses and 247 pound-feet of torque was available as optional on the Limited trim. Power was sent to all four wheels via a CVT transmission. It was not a corner-carver by any means, and the Legacy was clearly not a car meant for spirited driving. We hope this changes for the 2020 model and Subaru decides to plonk the new Legacy with a new suspension setup at least for the top trim.

Specs for the 2019 Subaru Legacy:

Engine

2.5-liter, four-cylinder / 3.6-liter, six-cylinder unit

Power

175 / 256 horsepower

Torque

174 / 247 pound-feet

Transmission

Continuously Variable Transmission System

Mileage (Combined)

24 / 29 mpg

Cargo Space

15 cubic feet

Price

$22,500 onwards


Our Take

For the 2020 Subaru Legacy, we expect to see a lot more than what we saw on the mediocre 2019 model. Although we have given up our hopes in terms of exterior appearance, we hope to see a fresh new cabin and a new set of engines that could successfully continue the 'legacy' of this car into the future. Are you excited for the launch of the new 2020 Subaru Legacy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Subaru Legacy.

Read our speculative review on the 2020 Subaru Outback.