How many things can you name that get better as they mature? Knowing the readership here, I imagine you could actually name several hundred things without repeating yourselves. But for a shorter version of the list, let’s go with wine and scotch. Now however, you can add another item to the short list: the Subaru Legacy.
All-new for 2010, the all-wheel drive Legacy has entered its fifth generation. It has the most interior room and quietest ride ever found in a Legacy. The styling is updated with more eye-engaging lines, dramaticly swept headlamps, and aggressive wheel arches which work cohesively to form a handsome overall package.
Of the eight trim levels available, I had the chance to spend time with the second from the top, the 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Premium.
The Legacy 3.6R features a 256 hp/247 lb-ft of torque 3.6L Boxer-6 under the hood. It’s the largest available engine in the Legacy lineup, yet it’s not the most powerful. That honor falls to the 2.5L tubocharged Boxer-4 found in the 2.5GT, and it produces 265 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Regardless, 256 hp is plenty of go-now for this five-passenger sedan and it only thirsts for 87 octane. Power is put to all four wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission. This unit shifts smoothly and has available paddles mounted on the steering wheel if one wishes to manually select a gear. The shifts via said paddles are not quick enough for enthusiastic driving but quite welcome on the highway when I needed to grab a lower gear. I do wish the six-speed manual transmission was available as an option on the 3.6R, as it would have added a whole new level to the driving experience. However, I am glad the CVT is only found on the lower 2.5i trims.
All Subarus come with Symmetrical all-wheel drive standard, and the Legacy 3.6R is no exception here. In addition, it also employs a Variable Torque Distribution system that sends more power to the rear wheels and continuously adjusts power distribution in response to varying road and driving conditions. New for 2010 is a double-wishbone rear suspension which helps keep the ride quiet and responsive at the same time. Pretty much all vehicles in the Subaru family handle well. The Legacy is not a sports car but it’s not a wallowing cow either. I found it to be responsive yet comfortable. There is a hint of “mash-gas hold-on” fun in the car, but the 3,500 lb curb weight and sub-300 hp engine keep things in check. It’s no WRX STI yet it’s certainly no Camry either.
Just as the outside has improved styling, the interior is just as refreshed. The trunk volume and passenger space are among the best in-class in terms of cubic footage, and rear seat legroom has been increased by four inches over the previous model. A standard tilt/telescope wheel combined with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat meant that finding my proper driving position was a piece of cake. The Legacy is surprisingly comfortable and the interior layout is efficiently simple. Equipped with the optional harman/kardon 440-watt premium audio system, the 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R is a enjoyable means of transportation for both front and rear seat passengers alike.
The 2010 Subaru Legacy starts at starts at $19,995 in the form of the 170 hp Legacy 2.5i. The Legacy 3.6R jumps up in price to start at $24,995 and the 3.6R Premium you see here costs $29,206. This pricing is in line with the competition, most of which do not come standard with an excellent all-wheel drive system like the Legacy.
The Subaru Legacy has always been a solid choice in the sedan segment…for 2010, it’s now an excellent choice.
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