Vehicle Tested
| 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R
Base Price: $25,995
At-Tested Price: $9,905
Built in Lafayette, Indiana.
Options
Harmon Kardon Premium Audio
Moonroof
Popular Equipment Group 3B
Sirius Satellite Radio
Engine: 3.6-Liter F6
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels: All-Wheel Drive
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Like ice cream, cars come in all sorts of flavors. Some are plain as vanilla and others are as exciting as rocky road. If you asked most people to place Subaru, they'd probably team it up with Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia--different to be sure, but familiar and comfortable.
That's an image Subaru boasts quite proudly. Front the compact Impreza to the family-friendly Forester, the Subaru lineup aims to please while throwing in a dash of flavor. The Japanese brand's midsize offering, Legacy, has long been popular in the Northeast and Northwest because it blended affordability with standard all-wheel drive. Subaru has high hopes that a complete redesign for 2010 will broaden Legacy's appeal.
The new Legacy is more than three inches wider, taller, and longer than the model it replaces. The bump in size pits it squarely against mainstream rivals like the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry.
Making sure it has all its bases covered with the new-for-2010 Legacy, Subaru offers no less than eight trim levels and three engines on the new Legacy. 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, and 2.5i Limited get a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder. 2.5 Premium and 2.5GT use a turbocharged version of that engine tuned to produce 265 horsepower. The line topping 3.6R, 3.6R Premium, and 3.6R Limited get a 3.6-liter flat six that makes 256 horsepower.
A six-speed manual transmission with hill-holder clutch is standard on four-cylinder models. Optional only on the 2.5i is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The flat six gets a five-speed automatic. All models have standard all-wheel drive.
Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, front-seat active head restraints, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain side airbags. A rear-view camera comes with the optional navigation system.
The 2.5i starts at $19,995 and comes standard with air conditioning, interior air filter, tilt and telescope steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, split-folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with digital-media player connection, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system and 205/60R16 tires. The 2.5i Premium starts at $20,995 and adds to the 2.5i ten-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls and alloy wheels. The $24,995 2.5i Limited adds to the 2.5i Premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, four-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate controls, heated power mirrors, Harman/Kardon AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, wiper deicer and 215/50R17 tires.
The 2.5GT Premium lists for $27,995 and adds to the 2.5i Premium heated front seats, heated power mirrors, wiper deicer, sport suspension and 225/45R18 tires. The 2.5GT Limited lists for $29,995 and adds to the 2.5GT Premiumleather upholstery, four-way power passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate controls, Harman/Kardon AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer and Bluetooth cell-phone connection.
The 3.6R lists for $24,995 and adds to the 2.5i 215/50R17 tires and alloy wheels. The step-up 3.6R Premium lists for $25,995 and adds to the 3.6R leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, leather upholstery, heated front seats, ten-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, heated power mirrors and wiper deicer. The $27,995 3.6R Limited adds to 3.6R Premium four-way power passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate controls, Harman/Kardon AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer and Bluetooth cell phone link.
Options include sunroof, iPod adaptor, satellite radio, remote engine start, rear spoiler and navigation system with voice recognition. The Legacy is built in Lafayfette, Indiana, and has a destination charge of $695.
Get Up and Go With three engines to choose from, Legacy buyers can balance their desire for acceleration with their concerns for economy. The base 2.5-liter four is willing enough but doesn't have much punch in passing situations. It will push the Legacy from 0 to 60 mph in about ten seconds. That's the midsize norm for four-pot motors and well within the acceptable range.
Buyers wanting a little more oomph should seriously think about the 3.6R for two reasons. One because it comes with an automatic, while the 2.5GT does not, and two it is smooth and refined in a way the 2.5GT is not. It's also quite a bit more powerful than the normally-aspirated four in the 2.5i, racing from 0 to 60 in about seven seconds. That's quick for the class and more than powerful enough in highway passing situations.
Available only with a six-speed manual, power freaks will opt for the turbocharged 2.5GT. When called upon, it can push the Legacy from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6.5 seconds and provides outstanding passing response. Like the base four, it isn't the smoothest engine in the class, but it does have that Subaru rasp, which has become a trademark of the brand.
If you don't mind shifting for yourself, the best transmission choice for the base engine is the manual. It has reasonably short throws and helps make the most of the engine's power output. The CVT isn't bad, but it takes a while to get used to and seems to slur passing power.
GT buyers get a manual trans whether they like it or not. As previously stated, it is serviceable, but some of the throws are on the long side. There is an optional shift kit that makes it feel much more direct.
The five-speed automatic in the 3.6R does a good job of balancing smoothness with power delivery. It seems well-mated to the six-cylinder's torque characteristics and doesn't lug around town.
All models get all-wheel drive. That's a boon in Chicagoland, with a climate that sometimes features, rain, snow, and ice all in the same day. The AWD system isn't intended for off-road use, but it does a great job of delivering power to the wheels with the most traction when the road gets slippery.
In looking at the EPA numbers for each engine, it's no surprise that the base engine is the most frugal. It nets EPA ratings of 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with the CVT. Both the 2.5GT and the 3.6R rate at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway in the EPA test cycle. Subaru says that the 2.5i and 3.6R engines run fine on regular-grade gasoline while the 2.5GT requires premium-grade gasoline.
Routine suburban driving with the 2.5i will likely net about 25 mpg. Straight highway commuting might boost that average into the high twenties. Fuel economy with either the GT or R engine isn't quite as impressive. With either you might be able to average 20 mpg in an even mix of city and highway driving, and that's with a light throttle foot.
On the Road All Legacy models offer a surprisingly supple ride that's well-suited to Chicago's frost-heaved pavement. Obviously, the base model is going to offer the most impact absorption, but even the 2.5GT and 3.6R have enough compliance to be deemed acceptable by most drivers.
Conversely, the Legacy doesn't feel as nimble as sportier midsize cars like the Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima. There's more body lean in fast corners than expected and the front-end feels slightly heavy in quick lane changes. The steering is nicely weighted and brakes have good stopping power and an easy-to-modulate pedal.
Subaru has made great strides in quelling wind noise compared to the previous model. Tire noise intrudes a bit on rough concrete roads, but is never oppressive. Subaru's trademark horizontally opposed engines aren't as smooth as class-leading engines. The trademark rasp is most noticeable at start up and when idling, but the engines also snarl uncomfortably in passing situations.
Behind the Wheel The new Legacy sports a very conventional dashboard layout with a high-mounted center stack and large gauges. The overall ambiance is upscale, but some of the trim pieces are decidedly low brow.
Main gauges are easy to read, but the clock and outside temperature display is housed in a smallish readout at the center-top of the dashboard. Radio and climate controls are well marked and easy to get at in the tall center console.
Front-seat passengers are treated to outstanding head and leg room. The seats are firm but comfortable and the outward view is excellent. The driving position seems to be higher than a typical sedan.
The jump in exterior size has translated into a much more spacious rear seating area in the 2010 Legacy. Leg and head room are ample for most adults and you don't have to move the front seats forward to get adequate knee space. The rear seats are a bit flat and soft. There's a modest driveline hump that makes squeezing in that third passenger difficult.
The trunk is very deep and features a few under floor storage bins. The rear seatbacks fold completely flat, enhancing long-item cargo capacity. Interior storage is adequate with a fair amount of small bins and cubbies and a two level console box.
Bottom Line The 2010 Legacy may be the most "mainstream" Subaru ever. That's not a bad thing because the car retains enough quirkiness to still be recognized instantly as a Subaru.
The biggest improvements for 2010 is a truly usable rear seat and much more refined driving experience. Though Subaru retained its traditional flat four- and six-cylinder engines, they now add character rather than detract, and that's a good thing.
Smart money bets on the reasonably-priced and nicely equipped 2.5i model, but that means you're living life in the slow lane. Opting for the quicker and more refined 3.6R means dropping close to $30K. That's a fair price for a V6 midsize sedan with all-wheel drive, but not near the value of the 2.5i.
Specifications, 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R
| Dimensions
| 4-door Sedan
| Engine
| DOHC F6
| Wheelbase, in.
| 108.3
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 3.6 / 221
| Length, in.
| 186.4
| Horsepower @ rpm
| 256 @ 6000
| Width, in.
| 71.7
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 247 @ 4400
| Height, in.
| 59.3
| Transmission
| 5-Speed Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 3481
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 16 city / 25 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 14.7
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 18.5
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 40.3
| Powertrain
| 5 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 43.0
| Corrosion
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 37.5
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 37.8
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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