Hottest Legacy yet drops price
How do these guys do it?
How do Subaru's proprietors manage to sell more cars in 2008 than in the previous year and continue that pace throughout the first half of 2009, while practically every other automaker has been caught in a downward spiral?
The answer appears to be that Subaru's all-wheel-drive content-rich collection constitutes the right products at the right price. And the all-new Legacy sedan, along with its Outback wagon counterpart, should prove that moving to the mainstream in terms of size and appearance will add even greater lineup luster.
The Legacy's larger dimensions now place it more solidly in the midsize sedan camp, particularly in height, width and distance between the front and rear wheels. The result is a nearly 15 percent gain in interior space (including a 4-inch stretch in rear legroom), along with an equally impressive one-third jump in trunk capacity. And yet Subaru has accomplished this growth spurt without adding so much as an ounce to the vehicle's curb weight.
The designers have accentuated the Legacy's proportions by sketching an overall bolder look that includes aggressively flared wheel openings, razor-sharp sheetmetal creases that extend along the doors and rear fenders and relocating the headlights farther from the grille. Add to that a stylishly short rear deck and a silhouette that smacks of BMW's 3-series sedan and you arguably have one of the most appealing shapes to ever wear a Subaru logo.
The interior has similarly been upgraded with fancier trim, plus a standard multi-information display screen for the trip computer, clock and outside temperature readouts. An electronic parking brake switch, an item normally reserved for more upscale sedans, has replaced the more traditional floor-console-located manual lever.
The Legacy now rides on an all-new platform that has been made stiffer to upgrade both ride and driving qualities, assisted by a re-engineered suspension that, claims Subaru, helps smooth out the bumps while improving cornering precision.
For 2010, there's a mix of carry-over, revised and new powerplants. The base 2.5i runs with the same 170-horsepower 2.5-liter horizontally opposed (two pistons are placed on each side of the crankshaft at 180 degrees) four-cylinder engine, while the 2.5GT uses a turbocharged 2.5 that now puts out 265 horsepower (a gain of 22 from 2009) thanks to a larger turbocharger.
The top-line 3.6R is equipped with a 256-horsepower 3.6-liter six-cylinder that originates with Subaru's flagship Tribeca sport utility vehicle. Although it doesn't have as much peak power as the 2.5GT's turbo engine, the nonturbo horizontally opposed six-cylinder has plenty of punch for low-stressing cruising. It's also a bit more powerful than the outgoing 3.0-liter six that came in the 3.0R and doesn't require more expensive premium gasoline.
The base 2.5 shifts through a six-speed manual transmission or optional continuously variable unit with no preset gearing. However, the latter includes a manual-shift mode with six preselected ratios that can be controlled using a paddle attached to the steering wheel.
As before, the performance-oriented 2.5GT can only be ordered with a six-speed manual gearbox (perhaps a questionable call on Subaru's part), while the less-powerful 3.6R is hooked up to a five-speed automatic that matches revs by "blipping" the throttle when downshifting for added smoothness and control.
Legacy has the usual air conditioning/cruise control/tilt and telescoping steering wheel/power windows, locks and mirrors, while other variations add a wealth of content such as dual-zone climate control, power front seats, leather-clad interior and a 440-watt Harmon-Kardon-brand premium audio system. For Premium and Limited trim levels, a power moonroof and voice-activated navigation can also be purchased.
It's an overworked term, but value is clearly the Legacy's strong suit, especially considering the minimum list price has been reduced to $20,700, a savings of about $800. Again, we're left to ponder, how do these guys do it?
