Experiencing a Legacy from the SONA, my sister, and Subaru

Most people seek to leave a legacy, but legacies are not created everyday. This week was exceptional because it was filled with events that were about legacies.

First, a person’s legacy to the nation—I started the week by attending the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III. As this was the LAST SONA of the President, a recount of the Philippine Government’s reforms and accomplishments made the Filipino citizens reflect what legacies were created and left behind for the country after almost six years under the Aquino Administration. 

The next day, a woman’s legacy to her families—my sister Nikki gave birth to her first born, who also happens to be the FIRST grandchild in our family and in her in-laws’ family. This was also a milestone for me as I am now officially an aunt (which means I may be scouting for more child-friendly cars soon). 

I wondered, which car company has made a legacy? If only for its name, the 2015 Subaru “Legacy” seemed fitting to share this week’s experiences with me. But after riding and driving the Subaru Legacy, I came to understand why it can be considered a legacy in itself. 

Founded in 1955, Subaru has since grown to become one of the world’s leading carmakers. In 1972, Subaru became the first in the world to market an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) passenger car and pioneered the market in Japan for high-performance station wagons. 

The AWD technology is still found in the new 2015 Subaru Legacy. Powered by Subaru’s signature Boxer Engine, the 2015 Legacy features a new exterior design and improved safety systems. 

I experienced riding and driving the Legacy 2.5i-S with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, boxer engine.  For those who want a more powerful engine, the Legacy 3.6R-S has a 3.6-liter, 6-cylinder, boxer engine. 

Subaru’s signature boxer engine has a lower, flatter profile than other engine types. This makes the car rigid and self-balancing, while generating less vibration.

The Legacy’s mid-range torque was raised, with a maximum torque output of 235 Nm at a lower 4,000 rpm. In practical terms, this makes the Legacy light and comfortable to drive everyday. Its Lineartronic transmission features a redesigned torque converter, oil pump and forward-reverse mechanism resulting in smoother shifting, easy maneuvering, and fast acceleration.

With the power and comfort that goes with the Legacy, I bravely volunteered as the “on-call car” for my sister in case she had to be rushed to the hospital on her delivery day. Unfortunately, she didn’t take me up on my offer even if I promised not to drive like a crazy racecar driver.

The improved torque and Lineartronic transmission combined with significant tweaks in intake, exhaust and combustion system have also improved the Legacy’s fuel efficiency and reduced its CO2 emissions. The Legacy averages 7.7 liters per 100km, which is relatively fuel efficient for a luxury sedan.

Compared to my regular days, going to the SONA required me to wear a long gown. The Legacy’s spacious cabin space and legroom made me comfortable in its leather seats even in my bulky Filipiniana dress. It was a long crawl going inside Congress because of the security checks and some road closures, but I was sufficiently entertained using the Legacy’s touchscreen infotainment system. I like the fact that the infotainment system was easy to understand and use even if I didn’t read the manual. 

On other days, while going to the office or my meetings, I was able to work inside the Legacy.  Its stable and quiet ride allowed me to read documents and type on my laptop. I also found the containers in the larger centre consol box useful for storing my electronics, pens and other items. I also noticed that the voice-activated infotainment system had the ability to connect to my phone, but I didn’t try this since I wanted to answer my phone in private while my driver was there. The Legacy’s extensive cabin room and luggage space also enabled me to transport gifts and food that I took to the hospital for my sister and new-born niece. 

In terms of safety, all airbags of the Legacy have been expanded and upgraded. When I was driving the Legacy, the screen display of the rear-view camera assisted me in safely backing-up or parking in reverse. 

Because my week required me to go from the SONA and other events, to the office, to the hospital, and to more rugged personal errands, the Legacy’s versatile look adjusted to each of my varied destinations. The 2015 Legacy is elegant yet sporty and agile. The hexagonal grille and hawk-eye headlights add to its dynamic look. 

American entrepreneur and author Jim Rohn said, “all good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine.” 

It seems that this is what Subaru intends to accomplish. The 2015 Subaru Legacy is the sixth generation model since its original release 25 years ago in 1989. Yet, it hasn’t stopped evolving.  From inside and out, I can see the changes which make the 2015 Legacy a newer and more improved version than its predecessors. With its reasonable prices, the Subaru Legacy can also be a strong contender among affordable luxury cars. 

Like I said earlier, legacies are not created everyday because they are difficult to create.  But you can ride and drive a legacy everyday, literally, with the Subaru Legacy.

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Karen Jimeno is a junior partner at Jimeno Cope & David Law Firm and a law professor. She hosts LegalHD on CNN Philippines every Tuesday at 9:30PM. She graduated from UP Law School and Harvard Law School, and is licensed to practice law in the Philippines and in New York.