Subaru Restyles Legacy and Outback for US, Adds Power and Increases Economy

Subaru has given the Legacy and Outback a very slight restyling in the US, but it has also given them a new version of its 2.5l boxer, four-cylinder engine that increases power and fuel economy. Subaru will also debut its Eye Sight camera system on these models for 2013. 

The newest generation Legacy and Outback are just two years old, but Subaru is already slightly improving them. Both cars have a slightly revised front bumper with different grill trim and larger, more aggressive lower intake. Subaru also says that the headlights are new. 

Both cars get a new tune of the 2.5l boxer engine with 173hp and 174lb-ft of torque, compared to 170hp and 170lb-ft last year. Subaru claims that in addition to the added power, the new engine also produces more torque lower in the rev range. Fuel economy for the Outback is up to 24mpg city, 30mpg highway and 26mpg combined, which is two better in the city, one better on the highway and two better combined than last year. The Legacy is rated at 24/32/27, which is an improvement of 1mpg across the board. The 3.6l, flat-six remains exactly the same with 256hp and no change in economy. 

Subaru says that it has re-engineered the suspension for them to improve the ride and handling. It says body roll has been decreased by 40% is comparison to last year's car. 

The optional Eye Sight camera uses two cameras to monitor the road and gives both cars adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and lane departure warning. Subaru claims the twin camera set-up has a wider detection angle than radar-based units. 

The interior of both cars have also received an upgrade. There is new wood trim, key-less access and Limited models get rear-seat AC outlet and a 3.5in color screen in the instrument panel. 

The revised models will be on display at the New York Auto Show next week. Subaru did not reveal prices for them.