Top Safety Pick + Top Safety Pick criteria

2016 Subaru Legacy

midsize car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention

2016 Subaru Legacy 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard daytime running lights
  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2015 model year. The driver-side small overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Legacy, known as the Outback, also redesigned for 2015.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1433
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Footrest (cm) 7
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 6
Lower instrument panel (cm) 6

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1433
Head
HIC-15 120
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 4
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 4
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.53
Right 0.36
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.5
Right 0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 65
Right 43

How the driver-side small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru as part of frontal crash test verification.

The moderate overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Legacy, known as the Outback, also redesigned for 2015.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1404
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 2
Left (cm) 3
Center (cm) 4
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) -6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1404
Head
HIC-15 117
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 20
Maximum Nij 0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm) 32
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.4
Femur force - right (kN) 0.6
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.48
Maximum tibia index - right 0.55
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 67
Right 57

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru as part of side crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1406
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -19.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1406
Head HIC-15 242
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 44
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 37
Average deflection (mm) 28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.85
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.38
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.5
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.4
Combined force (kN) 2.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.2
L-M moment (Nm) 114
A-P moment (Nm) 21

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1406
Head HIC-15 262
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 27
Lateral force (kN) 0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 34
Average deflection (mm) 29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.84
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.41
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.6
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.2
Combined force (kN) 1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.3
L-M moment (Nm) 142
A-P moment (Nm) 40

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to both the Subaru Legacy (tested) and the structurally similar Subaru Outback.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight 3,455 lbs
Peak force 18,533 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 5.36

How the roof strength test is conducted

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 17
Distance below top of head (mm) -7
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 12.5
Head contact time (ms) 50
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 140

How the head restraint & seat test is conducted
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 6 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • 3.6R Limited trim; built after November 2015
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 3.6R Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-17 models built after November 2015
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 122.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 55.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 71.0 m 2.0%
250m radius left curve, right edge 54.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 57.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 184.0 m
Straightaway left edge 137.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 79.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 74.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.0 m

Trim level(s)

  • 3.6R Limited trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package; built after November 2015
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 3.6R Limited trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016 models built after November 2015
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 122.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 55.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 71.0 m 9.3%
250m radius left curve, right edge 55.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 57.4 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 184.0 m
Straightaway left edge 137.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 79.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 74.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.0 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5i Premium trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package
  • 2.5i Limited trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves and inadequate on the gradual right and gradual left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right and gradual left curves and inadequate on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5i Premium trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package
  • 2.5i Limited trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 90.1 m 30.7%
Straightaway left edge 64.2 m 30.7%
250m radius right curve, right edge 54.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 48.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 47.4 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 47.2 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 151.6 m
Straightaway left edge 135.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 68.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 66.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 50.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5i trim
  • 2.5i Premium trim
  • 2.5i Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right and gradual left curves and inadequate on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5i trim
  • 2.5i Premium trim
  • 2.5i Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-17 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 90.1 m 30.7%
Straightaway left edge 64.2 m 30.7%
250m radius right curve, right edge 54.3 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 48.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 40.3 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 151.6 m
Straightaway left edge 135.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 68.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 66.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 50.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • 3.6R Limited trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package; built before December 2015
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left curve, fair on both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left and both right curves and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 3.6R Limited trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016 models built before December 2015
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 82.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 46.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 64.7 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 50.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.5 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 142.6 m
Straightaway left edge 134.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 73.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • 3.6R Limited trim; built before December 2015
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left and both right curves and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 3.6R Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016 models built before December 2015
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 82.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 46.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 64.3 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 51.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.5 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 142.6 m
Straightaway left edge 134.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 73.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.6 m

How headlights are evaluated

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional EyeSight

Package name

  • Optional EyeSight

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2015-18 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim 2.5i Premium
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim 2.5i Premium
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 17
Clearance angle (degrees) 58
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Not visible
Force (lbs) 9
Clearance angle (degrees) 67
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 4
Clearance angle (degrees) 55
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 32
Clearance angle (degrees) 50
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

Rating applies to 2016-17 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim 3.6R Limited
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim 3.6R Limited
Seat type leather
1 2 3
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 23
Clearance angle (degrees) 61
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 13
Clearance angle (degrees) 68
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 7
Clearance angle (degrees) 67
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 39
Clearance angle (degrees) 65
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

How child seat anchors are evaluated