Subaru of America, Inc. has introduced new SUBARU STARLINK™ Safety and Security features and other enhancements for the 2016 Legacy, bolstering the award-winning safety credentials of the roomiest car in the midsize sedan category. Legacy remains the only car in its class with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Active Torque Vectoring, a combination that gives it confident grip in all weather conditions.
In addition to the new STARLINK Safety & Security features, the Legacy receives several other refinements for 2016. A new auto on/off mode operates the windshield wipers with the headlights. Subaru retuned the electric power-assist steering for all Legacy models to provide an even more linear and natural feel. In the 2015 redesign, the Legacy Limited trims gained exclusive Stablex suspension dampers, and these have been further refined to reduce vibration over rough roads, especially those with washboard-texture concrete surfaces.
Four- and Six-Cylinder BOXER Engines
The Legacy 2.5i is powered by a 175-horsepower double overhead camshaft (DOHC) 2.5-liter Boxer engine that produces 174 lb-ft peak torque. It’s teamed to a standard Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission) with manual mode and paddle shifters. The combination achieves 26 MPG city/36 MPG highway EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings, the best of any all-wheel drive midsize sedan and competitive with front-wheel drive models. The Active Grille Shutter system helps to improve fuel economy by reducing wind resistance.
The DOHC 3.6-liter BOXER 6-cylinder engine in the Legacy 3.6R Limited produces 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of peak torque. Notably, the 3.6 sustains at least 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,000-6,000 rpm, making the Outback 3.6R Limited feel exceptionally smooth and responsive in everyday driving. The 3.6R is paired with a high-torque Lineartronic® CVT with manual mode and paddle shifters. The Subaru BOXER engines, renowned for their outstanding balance, are placed lower in the chassis than a conventional upright engine. This low center of gravity contributes to the car’s handling agility.
New SUBARU STARLINK™ Safety & Security
For 2016, Legacy Premium and Limited trims offer the new SUBARU STARLINK™ Safety and Security features. Two STARLINK packages are available and are among the most affordable in the industry. The STARLINK Safety Plus package, which is complimentary for the first year, includes SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Maintenance Notifications, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and Diagnostic Alerts.
For even greater peace of mind, the STARLINK Safety Plus & Security Plus Package adds Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service, Vehicle Security Alarm Notification, Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Horn and Lights and Remote Vehicle Locator.
Safety Leader with Newly Enhanced EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology
Subaru’s renowned safety engineering uses the brand’s proven Ring-shaped Reinforcement Frame body structure, which has been shown to excel in all crash tests by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The available Subaru-developed EyeSight® system, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure and Sway Warning, adds a Lane Keep Assist function for 2016. Limited trims also feature the standard Blind Spot Detection / Rear Cross Traffic Alert system, which includes Lane Change Assist; the system is included with the EyeSight® option on the Premium trims. With EyeSight®, the 2015 Legacy earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Lane Keep Assist, which the driver can activate with a steering wheel-mounted switch, is an enhancement of the EyeSight® system that activates above 40 mph. If the EyeSight® camera detects the vehicle drifting from the lane, steering assistance control engages to direct the vehicle back into the lane. If the vehicle leaves the lane, Lane Departure Warning is triggered and audible and visual alerts are activated.
On models equipped with Eyesight®, Steering Responsive Fog Lights help support visibility in the direction of a turn. In its redesign, the new-generation Legacy also gained driver and front passenger seat cushion airbags designed to retain the occupant’s seating position and hold the occupant in place in an accident.
All Legacy trim lines come standard with a rear-view camera. A rollover sensor can deploy the side curtain airbags if an imminent rollover is detected. For added nighttime security, standard Welcome Lighting automatically turns on cabin illumination and exterior lights as the driver approaches or departs the vehicle.
STARLINK Audio Systems
All Legacy trim lines for 2016 feature STARLINK, Subaru’s in-vehicle platform that provides hands-free connectivity and entertainment services. STARLINK is designed to work seamlessly with the in-car head unit to provide smartphone integration and tap into nearly unlimited entertainment sources through apps. The technology can deliver live traffic alerts and also help reduce driver distraction by displaying texts and allowing the driver to use voice commands for music and navigation (when equipped).
The Legacy 2.5i models feature the STARLINK 6.2” Multimedia system with today’s most in-demand user technologies, including: 6.2-inch single-touch gesture display, AM/FM stereo with HD Radio®, Radio Data Broadcast System, single-disc CD player, Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod® control, iTunes® Tagging, a USB port and auxiliary input jack. Smartphone integration features Aha™ and Pandora®, along with STARLINK cloud applications iHeart® Radio, Stitcher™, Calendar, Music Player, News and Weather. The screen also provides the display for the standard rear vision camera.
The Premium and Limited trims of both models have a standard STARLINK 7.0” Multimedia Plus system with a high-resolution 7-inch LCD screen featuring multi-touch gesture controls, much like a smartphone or tablet. In addition, STARLINK 7.0” Multimedia includes Bluetooth® hands-free SMS text messaging and dual USB ports and adds SiriusXM Travel Link®.
Optional STARLINK 7.0” Multimedia Navigation features voice-activated controls and also includes SiriusXM Traffic® (subscriptions required for SiriusXM products). Navigation equipped models now come with three years of complimentary map updates.
Three Trim Levels
The 2016 Legacy 2.5i is available in standard, Premium and Limited trim lines, the Limited trims offering the highest level of luxury ever a Legacy. The six-cylinder Legacy 3.6R is available exclusively in Limited trim.
In addition to the STARLINK 7.0” Multimedia Plus, the Premium trim adds 17-in. alloy wheels, the All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer), dual-zone automatic climate control system, 10-way power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift handle, electroluminescent instrument panel with LCD color display, auto up/down front windows, illuminated overhead console and front door pull handles and body-color side mirrors.
The Limited trims step up the luxury with perforated leather-trimmed upholstery, heated rear seat backs and cushions, rear-seat air conditioner outlets, 4-way power front passenger seat, a Harman Kardon® 575-watt equivalent amplifier and Harman Kardon® Surround 12-speaker audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, turn-signal side mirrors and woodgrain-pattern matte-finish interior accent trim. Optional Keyless Access & Push-Button Start with PIN code access is available exclusively for Limited trims. Xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) low-beam headlights are exclusive to the 3.6R Limited. A moonroof package can be added to the Premium and Limited trims and also includes an auto-dimming rear view compass mirror with Homelink®.
Agility and Quiet Ride
The Legacy’s refined MacPherson front strut suspension and double-wishbone rear suspension ensure an excellent balance of handling agility and ride comfort. The Limited trims exclusively feature Stablex suspension, which employs larger front struts along with front and rear damping tuned for improved low-speed handling performance and enhanced ride comfort at higher speeds. An aluminum hood reduces weight over the front wheels, which helps enhance steering response. The Legacy 2.5i is equipped with standard 17-inch wheels, and the Limited trims feature 18-inch alloy wheels.
Active Torque Vectoring, an enhancement of the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system, fosters more neutral cornering by applying brake pressure to the inside front wheel. All models are equipped with Incline Start Assist and the electronic Hill Holder® System that holds the vehicle in place until the driver applies the throttle. The Brake Assist safety system automatically applies maximum braking pressure in an emergency stop.
Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
The standard Active Torque Split version of Symmetrical AWD uses an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch to actively control torque distribution in response to driving conditions and wheel slippage. Taking input from acceleration, steering angle and yaw rate sensors, Active Torque Split AWD optimizes traction and steering response when accelerating through turns and curves, particularly when the road surface is slippery.
Roomiest Midsize Sedan and Most Refined Legacy Ever
With about the same exterior footprint as the previous Legacy, the new-generation model offers the largest cabin space in the midsize segment, at 104.6 cu. ft. The added space yields gains in shoulder, hip, elbow and legroom. Rear seat legroom measures a generous 38.1 inches. The trunk has been enlarged to 15.0 cu. ft., up slightly from 14.7 cu. ft. for the previous-generation model, but a significant point considering that the standard Symmetrical AWD system requires packaging for the multi-link rear suspension, a rear differential and drive axles. A standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seat expands carrying capacity.
The driver faces a sporty instrument panel in the Legacy, highlighted by two binocular-style gauge pods with a center LCD information display: 3.5-inch on cars without EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and 5-inch on EyeSight® cars. In all models, an ECO gauge indicates and promotes fuel-efficient driving habits using color bars.
Soft-touch materials used throughout the cabin give the Legacy a premium feel.
The Legacy cabin effectively blocks noise thanks to an acoustic windshield, liquid-filled engine mounts, thick acoustic panels in key locations (floor, toeboard, rear wheel apron, inner fenders) and expanded use of foam insulation and floor damping material.
The heater control panel integrates the digital clock and outside air temperature displays, with the time automatically corrected by GPS in navigation-equipped models. A new one-touch lane changer function for the turn signals adds convenience. Premium and Limited trim levels come equipped with standard auto up/down driver and front passenger windows with pinch protection.
The center console armrest provides a storage area that can hold an iPad®. A covered and illuminated storage bin at the front of the console incorporates a USB port, 3.5mm AUX jack and a 12v power port. Models with high-grade audio or navigation feature two USB ports, making it possible to listen to music and charge two connected devices.
Subaru of America, Inc. offers a full line of all-wheel drive sedans, crossovers and SUVs, along with the rear-wheel drive BRZ sports car. The Legacy and Outback are built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA).

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com.