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There has been little love for the redesigned 2010 Subaru Legacy's new look, but its gains in space, refinement, and fuel
economy will be welcome to those who seek the extra traction of all-wheel-drive. See more photos of the Legacy below the
article in today's slideshow.
Two years ago, Subaru redesigned its compact Impreza from a cramped but distinctive fun-to-drive little car into a more mainstream vehicle, with a broader focus on space and comfort and with a more forgettable – some would say unattractive – look.
For better or for worse, the company’s midsize Legacy sedan -- and the related Outback station wagon -- has now gone through that same treatment.
The outgoing Legacy suffered as a midsize sedan for an interior and trunk that offered less space than most economy cars, and for its standard all-wheel-drive’s toll on acceleration and fuel economy. Clattering and wheezing from the company’s long-running 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and wind noise from the frameless side windows hurt its refinement. But with its available turbocharger, attractive styling, and agile handling, the 2005-2009 Legacy was well-liked among car enthusiasts.
The new 2010 Legacy maintains the 2.5-liter engine and the standard all-wheel-drive. Like the 2008 Impreza, it even retained some of its predecessor’s handling abilities. But it’s now much more spacious and much quieter, and gas mileage has improved dramatically. And many critics would say that it too is bland at best and probably quite a bit south of even that mark.
Without shelving its unique position in the marketplace by selling only all-wheel-drive cars, Subaru has tried to make its Legacy more appealing to people who are considering other midsize sedans, rather than just those who are looking for extra all-weather traction.
But that all-wheel-drive remains the primary characteristic that distinguishes the Legacy from a wide variety of competent – and less expensive – competitors. It no longer falls behind the class standards in any significant way, but nothing jumps out from the norm either. Family sedan buyers who need all-weather traction will now have a better car to buy, but if you don’t need all-wheel-drive, the Legacy still does not offer you a reason not to save some money by choosing a competitor instead.
Inside the Legacy, and driving it, only one classic Subaru characteristic is evident, and even that isn’t obvious: the sound of its unique horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine, in which the cylinders are in rows of two rather than one line of four in the conventional setup, making more room for the car’s all-wheel-drive mechanisms. This engine has been upgraded over the years, but it still dates to 1996, an eternity in the automotive world. Subaru owners will likely be familiar with its harsh note at idle, which is muffled within the cabin in the 2010 Legacy, at least until you open the window. (A six-cylinder engine is also offered on pricier models.)
In the new Legacy, this engine is mated to a new continuously variable automatic transmission that has boosted gas mileage significantly over the 4-speed automatic it replaced; EPA ratings have jumped from 20 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway to 23 city and 31 highway, better than many cars without any all-wheel-drive system, and even some compact cars, including Subaru’s own Impreza.
Inside, the Legacy’s seats are comfortable, but although they lack the outgoing car’s bolstering. Grippy cloth material on the lower-end models, such as the car driven for this review, help offset this, but some drivers might still prefer their seat to be a bit wider. The rear seat is the biggest improvement inside the new Legacy; though it’s still not as stretch-out spacious as a few competitors, accommodations are now far better than the cramped 2009 model. The center hump is more pronounced than in front-wheel-drive competitors, however.
This Legacy, like the previous model, tries to look upscale of the average midsize sedan, but the effect is lost in the feel of the plastics on the dash and door panels, which are more serviceable than luxurious. A small bin on the instrument panel operates clunkily, too, and you kick a loose-feeling piece of exterior body cladding along the doorsill as you get in and out.
On the road, the ride is smooth, quiet, and generally unremarkable. The Ford Fusion and its Mercury Milan twin offer the most similar driving experience among the Legacy’s competitors: comfortable ride, decent handling, and acceptable power and refinement. These cars, however, are thousands less in their comparably-equipped front-drive versions; as tested, the Legacy has a sticker price of $25,199 and sells for about $2,000 below that, while a comparable Fusion stickers for just over $23,000 and is discounted by some $4,000.
So it once again comes down to the Legacy’s all-wheel-drive.
If you just want a pleasant-driving, adequately spacious midsize sedan, you have many options. Thanks to increased space and refinement, the redesigned Legacy is now one of them. But even though its all-wheel-drive no longer exacts a gas mileage penalty, the added complexities of all-wheel-drive inflate this car’s price above those of its competitors.
The Legacy is now a better-rounded car for someone who would have likely bought it anyway simply for its all-weather performance. A handful of other moderately priced sedans offer all-wheel-drive, but not as inexpensively as the Subaru. But just as Subaru isn't worried about losing too many of its loyal customers, the front-wheel-drive class leaders needn’t worry about theirs to the new Legacy unless Subaru drastically slashes its price tag.
Vehicle tested: 2010 Subaru Legacy
Vehicle base price (MSRP): $19,995
Version tested: 2.5i Premium
Version base price (MSRP): $20,995
Vehicle price as tested (MSRP): $25,199
Estimated transaction price as tested: $23,249
Test vehicles provided by: Fitzgerald Subaru of Gaithersburg, Md.
Key specifications:
Length: 186.4 inches
Width: 71.7 inches
Height: 59.3 inches
Wheelbase: 108.3 inches
Trunk volume: 14.7 cubic feet
Engine (as tested): 2.5-liter H4 with 170 horsepower
Transmission (as tested): continuously variable automatic
EPA city mileage: 23 miles per gallon
EPA highway mileage: 31 miles per gallon
For more info: http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/legacy2010.html
Comments
All that, and EPA 31 MPG? Yes!
The more I abuse my Subaru, the more it leaves me awed at what that machine can take, all while giving great MPG, astonishing traction, and ferocious grip on slippery surfaces. Comfy, unique, versatile, and beats my old 4X4 in every way, it leaves my sports sedan buddies sliding in the wet, scrambles trails and mud, snow, whatever, without complaint, and it's just a missile on the highway. My engineering side and pilot's sensibilities truly respect the intelligence of these machines.
Much more car than I bargained for, I love that thing more every day. Get one, and drive smug.
A hoot to drive, easy on the wallet, and reliable beyond all reason. Darn. Why'[d they have to add so much more to the 2010? I only have one parking space... Grrr.
What made a Subaru a Subaru? I've been a die in the wool Subaru Outback fan because it has been the perfect vehicle for my needs. Sadly to say, the 2010 model does not measure up. What made a Subaru a Subaru for me ( and I'm sure for many people ) were the following characteristics. 1. Low height ideal for ski box and kayaks . 2. Very strong and usable roof rack. 3. A functional rear bumper to sit and stand on. 4.Good size windows for visibility.
They are all gone! The new fancy roof rack is not at all functional for a kayak -the front to rear length is too short. The extra two inches in height makes it just another SUV and the rear bumper is just a facade. I just saw two ads for Subaru promoting its use as a rec vehicle, but I think the designers were clueless as to what this entails. I think they have lost a important segment of their loyal fans.
Mr Holt please spend some time studying the things you write about. More expensive, yes; only all wheel drive; no. Safey is key to Subaru. Check the crash ratings. No other maker has every vehicle in the fleet with a five star rating. I would gladly pay an extra $2000 for Subaru's proven safety ring design and their class leading all wheel drive. Subaru all wheel drive cannot be honestly compared to the the add on units sold by other manufacturers. Subaru all wheel drive unit sits in line with the vehicle and adds to its balance and stability. You won't find the Subaru balance, reliability, and safety, & mpg from any other model in its price range. The 2010 model's asthetics have been criticized by some long time Subaru fans because it no longer looks unusual but I view this as a good thing. Subaru's appearance is a bit more mainstream but the safety, handeling, and performance leave the competitors eating dust (from all four wheels).
I sell subaru's for a living and they are some of the best cars i have had the plesure of driving. I drove almost every car in the U.S.A. and this is the real deal. Plus they care about the customer and the earth can anybody else make that claim. I really never like subaru buyer in the past because they are so hard to please. But know that i sell them i understand where they are coming from. This is why the smartest people in the world drive this blend of hi-tec and earthlyness in one machine. Because you do not have to kill the planet to enjoy driving on it!!!!!!!!!!
Big jump in MPG. Thanks for the info., Brady!
You couldn't give me a Subaru! The cylinders and heads are in a vulnerable spot just inches above the ground. They might be good in a few inches of snow but they can't compete with a "real" 4wd with a transfer case. Also, just as hybrids are synonomous with the "greenies" Subarus are the signature car of the "sissy gay" community.
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