Chicago 2014: Subaru Legacy Goes CVT Only

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

Since you’ve already seen the 2015 Subaru Legacy, here’s the Cliff’s Notes: the 2.5L 4-cylinder and 3.6L 6-cylinder boxer engines are back, and a CVT is the sole transmission available. A torque-vectoring system, borrowed from the WRX, is also standard. We hear that the next Outback will bow in April at the New York Auto Show.

TTAC Staff
TTAC Staff

More by TTAC Staff

Comments
Join the conversation
6 of 72 comments
  • Hemi Hemi on Feb 06, 2014

    I don't trust CVTs and their reliability. Look at Nissan and Jatco's history. Ive known many Murano and Maxima drivers who had them fail. Funny enough, I love the looks of the new Rogue and was researching it for a friend. I see the 2014s are already having CVT issues. I decided against my better judgement to trust the 2013 Accord CVT, hey it's the fIrst year, but it's a Honda! On my 2 mile test drive, all was smooth and then the trans made horrible noises while pulling up to the dealer. Everyone in the car heard it, I thought I popped it into reverse or something. Salesman was baffled and pretended he didn't hear it. Needless to say, I walked away from that deal. I did rent a 2013 Altima 4 cylinder with over 15k miles and the CVT to my amazement performed fine. It got good MPG and had very little whine. Toyota has also now installed the CVT in the Corolla, will be interesting to see how that holds up.

    • Durishin Durishin on Feb 07, 2014

      I think Subaru has a fine reputation with their CVTs.

  • Kato Kato on Feb 07, 2014

    Great, just as they fix the hideous styling of the previous model, they delete the MT. Their sales might be going up, but they are p1ssing off the enthusiasts big-time. No MT = no sale in my books.

  • Spike_in_Brisbane Spike_in_Brisbane on Feb 07, 2014

    DAF introduced a CVT in 1958. It certainly went well for them as a car brand!

    • Zykotec Zykotec on Feb 07, 2014

      Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, etc. etc. all had both manual transmissions and automatic transmissions available back then. It certainly went well for them as brands...

  • Jon1800s Jon1800s on Feb 07, 2014

    I am getting to the point of planning to by a new car, this will be a 10 year car $30-50K cash purchase. I have an '03 Outback 5sp - love the car, want something a bit larger across the shoulders. I have looked at Volvo - no MT in the line up, no go for me. I really like the 50/50 manual torque distribution the manual offers. Now Subaru is ending the MT in the Legacy and Outback. I may consider the Crosstrek but I wanted something a bit larger. The top end in my budget is if Volvo ever offers a manual in something I am interested in owning. The main thing holding me up is a promise I made to myself not to purchase a brand new car until I finished my project restoration. Not likely to be done in 2014 but possible, certainly will be done in 2015. I figured Subaru would always keep the manual. I mean BMW wagons have no ground clearance and not interested in SUV - I want a car with some ground clearance so I can drive down gravel pot holed roads at speed and not worry about denting the rocker panel when going over a large rock or hitting a pot hole. I may be one of a few who desire such vehicles yet the Outback and Audi Allroad fill that niche for more than just me. (No way would I buy an Audi for any long term ownership) Now if Fiat would bring in that little "outback" wagon they sell in Brazil to give Subaru some competition in the market place for AWD cars with ground clearance - too small for me and it's a Fiat but I was impressed with it. I should have brought a V70R back when Volvo still made them - same problem - no ground clearance. So if nothing is interesting at the time I am ready to buy new I will buy used, maybe pick up my Dad's Lincoln and build another garage. This way I can have a nice Subaru Outback 6sp and a 2000 LS 5sp to go along with my Volvo '67 1800S - manuals are becoming a rare breed indeed.

Next