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Subaru is living a little more simply. The company will use the Outback name only for wagons, and the Legacy name only for sedans. Pictured is the 2008 Outback L.L. Bean Edition. (Photo courtesy of Subaru)

CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Starting with the 2008 model year, Subaru of America is going to be a bit more discriminating in how it uses the Outback name.

For 2008, the Japanese brand’s midsize vehicles will adapt a simple naming scheme. All Legacy models will be sedans, and all Outback models will be wagons. Previously, the Outback name was used on both sedans and wagons — it signified essentially an outdoorsy trim level of the Legacy sedan and wagon.

Both Legacy and Outback get extensive changes for 2008, including revised front and rear styling, a larger grille opening, new front and rear bumper fascias, and new headlamps and taillamps.

A new variant, the Legacy 3.0 R Limited, gets a 245-horsepower flat-6 engine, a five-speed automatic with paddle shift, Bilstein sport suspension and Subaru’s Intelligent Drive performance control system.

All models receive a redesigned instrument panel, revised interior fabrics, a telescoping steering column and integrated ignition key/remote entry. All six-cylinder models feature electroluminescent gauges.

What this means to you: We never have fully understood Subaru’s quirky naming conventions.