Subaru unveils the redesigned 2010 Legacy, adding space, refinement, and gas mileage

March 31, 11:24 AMDC Car ExaminerBrady Holt

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 The redesigned 2010 Subaru Legacy will continue to offer the Subaru staple of all-
 wheel-drive, but it is also shooting for more mainstream appeal.
See more photos of the new Legacy below the article in today's slideshow

A fully redesigned Subaru Legacy will go on sale this summer with extra interior space, fuel economy, and refinement intended to convert it from a niche player in the midsize sedan market into a serious challenger to the best-selling Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the automaker said today.

The first photos of the new 2010 Legacy show that it was faithful to an earlier concept version but that shares little with the styling of the current car, which went on sale as a 2005 model. 

American customers will not get a Legacy station wagon, a model that was dropped from the U.S. Subaru line in 2008. The Legacy-based Outback wagon will continue to be sold, likely sporting the same changes as this new Legacy.

The current Legacy has been popular in heavy-snow areas for its standard all-wheel-drive -- a Subaru staple that will continue with the new version -- and has also impressed car enthusiasts for its clean styling and available turbo performance.

But a key shortcoming in the current Legacy was a tight interior and trunk that made the car less spacious than the average compact economy car, which hurt the car's chances as a family car.

Subaru has promised an extra four inches in rear seat leg room, but what will be significant is whether the seat is now higher from the floor. If it remains low to the floor, the extra four inches will only keep rear passengers' knees from digging into the front seatbacks as they are forced upward.

A harsh engine note and excess wind noise from un-framed side windows also gave some potential customers pause; Subaru's long-running 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine continues as a base engine, but Subaru has joined its competitors in adding a frame around the window glass. Subaru has also promised extra refinements to the engine mounting that should reduce vibration.

Joining the existing engine are two new transmissions: a continuously variable automatic and a 6-speed manual. Subaru has estimated fuel economy ratings for the automatic transmission will improve from 20 to 23 miles per gallon in the city and from 26 to 30 miles per gallon on the highway. While that's still not best-in-class, it's better than any other all-wheel-drive vehicle available save the hybrid version of the Toyota Highlander SUV. The base Legacy will still not be quick; Subaru's estimated 0-60 mph time of 10.1 seconds lags most competing midsize sedans.

Two larger engines are also available: a performance-focused turbocharged version of the base 4-cylinder featuring 265 horsepower -- up from the base car's 170 -- and a refinement-focused 3.6-liter 6-cylinder with 256 horsepower. Both are significantly quicker than the base car; the 6-cylinder's 0-60 time of 7.8 seconds won't challenge the Legacy's competitors but also won't leave too many family sedan customers needing more. Those who do can get the sports-sedan turbo's 5.9 seconds.

Subaru hinted to Edmunds.com that the base price of the 2010 Legacy would go down from the current car's $21,295, but has said nothing firmly. More details of the new Legacy will be released at the 2009 New York International Auto Show next month.