2015 Subaru Overview
With fewer than 10 models, Subaru isn't one of the heavyweights in the U.S. automotive market, but its go-anywhere reputation and cult following make it a company that's sure to enjoy continued success for decades to come. Supporting that claim are changes made for the 2015 model year, including significant revisions and full-scale redesigns for nameplates including the WRX, WRX STI, Legacy, and Outback. In fact, no 2015 Subaru model was spared the red pen, as the BRZ had its chassis retuned, the Forester was upgraded with added content, the Impreza's styling was tweaked, and the XV Crosstrek grew to include a new base trim level.
Subaru aficionados may sense that something's missing, and they'd be correct; the slow-selling Tribeca crossover has been discontinued.
Long recognized as a brand that offers the motoring public a full lineup of all-wheel-drive (AWD) models, Subaru jumped into the market of sporty rear-wheel-drive (RWD) coupes when it launched its 4-passenger BRZ in 2013. For 2015, the coupe returns with a slightly retuned suspension, two all-new paint colors, artificial carbon fiber interior trim, and a BRZ Series.Blue edition-limited to 1,000 units-equipped with an STI body kit, STI 17-in. alloy wheels, special blue or white paint, and a 6-speed manual transmission.
What's New
- Retuned suspension
- Faux carbon fiber interior trim
- Larger exhaust tips
- Sleek roof antenna
- Ice Silver Metallic and Crystal White Pearl paint colors
- BRZ Series Blue limited edition
Completely redesigned for the 2014 model year, the family-friendly Forester returns for 2015 with a number of noteworthy upgrades, including optional alloy wheels for the base 2.5i, standard power moonroof for all versions of the 2.5i Premium, heated front seats and mirrors for the 2.5XT Premium, and HID headlights and push-button start for Forester 2.5i Touring and 2.5XT Touring. Those top-of-the-line Touring variants also add a 440-watt premium audio package.
All copies of the 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i feature a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that generates 170 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque, while those bearing the XT badge are equipped with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.
What's New
- Standard rearview camera on all trim levels
- Eyesight safety system is now less expensive and offered on more configurations
- Touring version features standard 440-watt premium sound system, HID headlights, and push-button start
- Alloy Wheel package (Forester 2.5i)
- Panoramic moonroof and heated seats standard on all 2.5i Premium Foresters
Thoroughly updated for 2015, the popular AWD Subaru Impreza sedan and 5-door hatchback works to grab shoppers' attention with revised styling, more responsive steering, quieter interior, standard cruise control, and access to safety systems including 4-wheel anti-lock ventilated disc brakes and the company's EyeSight technology that bundles together intelligent cruise control, lane-departure warning, and pre-collision braking systems.
Other upgrades include push-button start, standard 6.2-in. smartphone-linked touch-screen infotainment system and rearview camera for even the base Impreza 2.0i, and 7-in. touch-screen version with voice-activated controls on top-of-the-line Impreza 2.0i Limited and 2.0i Sport Limited Imprezas. A navigation system is optional.
In addition to the base and Limited trim levels, the 2015 Subaru Impreza can also be ordered in 2.0i Premium and 2.0i Sport Premium guises. All are fitted with a 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated with a 5-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT).
What's New
- Revised styling
- Eyesight safety system now on Impreza Limited
- Quicker steering ratio
- Quieter interior
- 6.2-in. touch-screen infotainment system
- 7-in. touch-screen infotainment system (Limited)
- Standard cruise control
- Available turn signal mirrors and push-button start
- Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes
All-new for 2015, the Subaru Legacy is this automaker's answer to competitors such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, and Hyundai Sonata. It is the only one among that bunch to feature standard AWD, and, with this year's redesign, the Legacy boasts added passenger and cargo space, improved aerodynamics to increase fuel efficiency, efficient electric power steering, Active Torque Vectoring to deliver better handling than last year's model, and a more comfortable ride thanks to fluid-filled engine mounts. Inside, the 2015 Legacy appears more refined with its upgraded materials and amenities including push-button start, driver-side memory functions, 576-watt premium audio unit, heated rear seats, and touch-screen infotainment systems. Perhaps more significant are the Legacy's numerous safety technologies, such as front-seat-bottom-cushion air bags, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent cruise control, and standard rearview camera.
Depending on which configuration is selected, the 2015 Subaru Legacy is fitted with either a 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 256-horsepower 3.6-liter 6-cylinder.
What's New
- Redesigned for 2015
- Improved fuel economy
- Turn signal mirrors (Limited)
- Standard CVT
- Quicker steering ratio
- Retuned chassis and new 17- and 18-in. alloy wheels
- Upgraded interior materials
- Available push-button start, perforated leather upholstery, and heated rear seats
- 6.2- and 7-in. touch-and-scroll infotainment systems
- Optional 576-watt premium audio system
- Several added safety features
Like the Legacy, the 2015 Subaru Outback has been redesigned for 2015 with a more spacious interior, improved aerodynamics and fuel economy, standard CVT, chassis enhancements, more refined and quieter interior, and a number of additional safety features. On top of that, a power liftgate is standard on the 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited. Base 2.5i and 2.5i Premium trim levels are also offered.
What's New
- Redesigned for 2015
- Increased passenger and cargo volume
- Improved fuel economy
- Limited versions add power tailgate, HID headlights, and turn signal mirrors
- Standard CVT
- Retuned chassis
- Standard ventilated disc brakes
- Upgraded interior materials
- 6.2- and 7-in. touch-and-scroll infotainment systems
- Available push-button start, perforated leather upholstery, and heated rear seats
- Optional 576-watt premium audio system
- Standard rearview camera
- Several added safety features
If Subaru were to have a hot rod in its stable, it would definitely go by the name WRX. While it doesn't fit the traditional definition-rear-wheel-drive and a thumping V-8 engine-this little AWD sedan or 5-door hatchback offers a combination of raw grunt and capable handling that many pricier so-called sports cars simply can't match. For 2015, this road-hugging ride returns with bolder styling; more spacious interior; retuned chassis; 268-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; 6-speed manual transmission or an automatic with 8-speed shifting capability; improved fuel economy; push-button start; and an available 440-watt premium audio package.
The 305-horsepower WRX STI also offers the more spacious interior and improved materials, as well as new sport bucket seats, 6-speed manual transmission engineered to deliver smoother shifts, and an STI Launch Edition-limited to 1,000 units-featuring WR Blue Pearl paint and gold BBS alloy wheels.
What's New
- Redesigned for 2015
- 268-horsepower turbocharged engine (WRX)
- Improved fuel economy
- Active Torque Vectoring
- New 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions
- Upgraded performance-tuned chassis
- Increased passenger and cargo space
- Available LED headlights
- 4.3-in. infotainment system with rearview camera
- Optional push-button start and 440-watt sound system
- STI Launch Edition
The XV Crosstrek, essentially an Impreza 5-door with more rugged looks and a taller stance, continues to be available with traditional gas and hybrid versions, with trim levels ranging from the new base 2.0i to the Hybrid Touring. Similar to many other Subarus, the 2015 XV Crosstrek benefits from the adoption of a quicker steering ratio, standard rearview camera across the entire lineup, 6.2- and 7-in. smartphone-linked infotainment systems with optional navigation, and broad availability of the Eyesight safety system.
What's New
- 2.0i base model
- Standard rearview camera
- Eyesight safety technology offered on Premium and Limited trim levels
- Quicker steering ratio
- 6.2-in. touch-screen infotainment system on base model
- 7-in. touch-screen infotainment system available on Premium and Limited trim levels
- Limited adds push-button start and turn-signal mirrors
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