Electric Cars

Even though the Subaru Legacy sedan has officially ceased production after a remarkable 36-year run, discerning buyers can still find compelling lease opportunities for the 2025 Premium trim. These deals, valid until February 2, 2026, offer a chance to experience a vehicle renowned for its standard all-wheel-drive system, comprehensive safety features, and a comfortable, technology-rich interior. This unexpected availability highlights the remaining stock of a model that significantly contributed to Subaru's brand identity, providing a practical option for those seeking a reliable midsize sedan.

The Subaru Legacy, a fixture in the automotive landscape for over three decades, concluded its production between 2019 and 2025. This decision reflects the evolving trends in the automotive industry, particularly the declining demand for midsize sedans. However, Subaru's inventory includes the 2025 model year, with the Premium trim currently being promoted through lease programs. This particular trim offers a well-rounded package that includes an 11.6-inch infotainment screen, wireless phone connectivity, and a power-adjustable driver's seat, enhancing both convenience and comfort for its occupants. Moreover, every Legacy model, regardless of its specific trim level, comes equipped with advanced driver assistance technologies, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, steering-responsive headlights, and active torque vectoring, all seamlessly integrated with Subaru's distinctive Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, ensuring a secure and engaging driving experience.

For January, the 2025 Subaru Legacy Premium is available for lease at an appealing rate of $319 per month over a 36-month term, with an initial payment of $3,959 due at signing. This offer is designed with a mileage allowance of 10,000 miles per year, with an overage charge of $0.15 per mile. This makes it an attractive proposition for individuals looking for a feature-packed sedan at a competitive lease price. The Legacy's trim hierarchy begins with the Base model, progressing through Premium, Sport, Limited, and culminating in the Touring XT. Each step up the ladder introduces more luxurious features and performance enhancements, catering to a diverse range of preferences and budgets. For instance, the Limited trim adds leather upholstery, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and a premium Harman/Kardon sound system. The Sport variant further elevates the experience with distinctive exterior and interior styling cues, while the top-tier Touring XT boasts Nappa leather, heated and ventilated seating, and an expanded suite of driver assistance systems.

Under the hood, the Base, Premium, and Limited trims are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer engine, delivering a respectable 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. For those desiring more spirited performance, the Sport and Touring XT models feature a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine, boosting output to 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. These engine options provide a balance of efficiency and power, maintaining the Legacy's reputation for dependable and capable performance. Despite its impending disappearance from new car showrooms, the Subaru Legacy remains a testament to the brand's commitment to engineering and value. Its robust all-wheel-drive capability, generous interior space, and comprehensive feature set continue to make it a compelling choice in its segment, offering a last chance for consumers to own a piece of Subaru's enduring legacy before it fades into automotive history.

The Legacy's journey, though ending, leaves behind a legacy of innovation and accessibility within the midsize sedan market. Its discontinuation underscores the shifting preferences of car buyers towards SUVs and crossovers. Nevertheless, the remaining lease deals present an excellent opportunity to acquire a vehicle that consistently offered superior all-weather capability and a strong value proposition. Its legacy is not just in its longevity but in its continuous provision of advanced features and Subaru's signature all-wheel-drive system at an accessible price point. For consumers in search of a practical, safe, and well-equipped sedan, the remaining 2025 Subaru Legacy models represent a final chance to embrace this iconic vehicle before its complete departure.

A New York court has recently dismissed a lawsuit that sought to attribute a car accident to a supposedly frozen touchscreen in a Tesla Model 3. This ruling, coming nearly four years after the case was filed, underscores the critical role of robust evidence, especially expert testimony, in product liability claims involving complex automotive technology. The court's decision highlighted the plaintiff's failure to present compelling proof that a design flaw, rather than external factors such as adverse weather and driver actions, was the root cause of the incident.

The legal action stemmed from a March 2022 incident where a driver of a 2021 Tesla Model 3 lost control of her vehicle on Interstate 87 in Yonkers, New York. The prevailing weather conditions at the time were snowy and icy, leading the vehicle to collide with two medians, resulting in injuries to the driver. According to the official police report, traffic investigators concluded that the accident was primarily caused by a combination of excessive speed and an 'unsafe lane change' on the part of the driver. The report notably did not specify the type of tires equipped on the vehicle involved in the collision.

The plaintiff's central argument was that the touchscreen in her Model 3 had frozen, thereby disabling the display of critical information like speed and rendering the windshield wiper controls inoperable. She contended that the police investigators did not adequately examine the alleged screen malfunction, which she believed was the actual cause of the crash. The plaintiff asserted that a frozen screen indicated a defective vehicle, thereby shifting the blame for the accident onto the manufacturer. Furthermore, concerns were raised regarding the reliability and accuracy of the vehicle's data sensors. Despite a history of lawsuits against Tesla, the court's reasoning for dismissing this particular case centered on the absence of substantive evidence.

The court's decision to dismiss the case was largely due to the plaintiff's inability to provide sufficient evidence. Crucially, the plaintiff failed to offer expert testimony that could substantiate her claims regarding the inaccuracy or unreliability of the vehicle's telemetry. There was also no evidence presented to suggest that the touchscreen had frozen prior to the impact. In contrast, Tesla presented diagnostic data from the vehicle in question, which indicated no signs of defects. The presiding judge emphasized that product liability claims involving sophisticated automotive software and electronic interfaces demand competent expert testimony to establish a defect. The plaintiff did not designate an expert, nor did she provide any evidence concerning the touchscreen's design, the feasibility of safer alternatives, or risk-utility considerations. Moreover, the plaintiff failed to adequately rule out alternative, non-defect-related causes for the accident.

In essence, the judicial ruling implied that the driver should have been able to maintain control of the vehicle, irrespective of whether the screen had allegedly frozen. Since there was no indication that the vehicle experienced a loss of power during the supposed screen malfunction, it was presumed that other essential vehicle functions, such as steering, braking, and acceleration, remained operational, implying the driver retained full control over these critical aspects of the car's operation. The outcome of this case reinforces the high evidentiary bar for proving product defects in complex automotive systems.