Take a look around you on Northwest roads and you’ll see you are in Subaru country.
Subaru’s all-wheel drive cars and crossover sport-utility vehicles are popular among those who head to the mountains to enjoy winter sports as well as those who want the security that a drive in a Subaru offers. Subaru’s all-new 2010 Legacy sedan offers three levels of performance that make it a top choice in the midsize family sedan segment – especially in the Northwest during the winter months.
The bigger and bolder fifth-generation model of Subaru’s all-wheel-drive sedan is built on a new platform that increases room and comfort while preserving the agility and the fun-to drive spirit of the previous model.
The new Legacy has grown 3.2-inches in height and 3.6-inches in width giving the passengers more head, shoulder and hip room. The rear seat passengers especially benefit from the additional leg and head room. Overall vehicle length is up by just 1.4-inches.
While the Legacy offers one of the largest trunks (14.7 cubic feet) in the midsize sedan segment, the trunk opening is small making loading of larger items difficult. Also, the latch for the trunk lid sticks out just enough to hit your head while loading the trunk. Both my passenger and I managed to be surprised by this latch.
The 2010 Legacy has a bold, sporty look. The Subaru badge is the focal point of the new grille, which features a squared off lower edge. Character lines arc from the grille and form power bulges on the hood, tapering off into the A-pillar. The coupe-like silhouette incorporates a larger greenhouse, and the powerful wheel arches and shorter deck add to the sporty look.
Three levels of performance are offered in the 2010 Legacy: the 2.5i, 2.5GT, and 3.6R.
The 2.5i line is available in three trims and is powered by a revised 170-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine and equipped with a new standard 6-speed manual transmission or the new continuously variable transmission (CVT). Both transmissions help to improve acceleration, response and fuel economy.
I was impressed with the extremely smooth CVT in the 2.5i Limited that I drove. For the sport sedan enthusiast, the 2.5GT is powered by a new 265-hp turbocharged/intercooled Boxer engine teamed with a new 6-speed manual transmission. The new Legacy 3.6R is powered by a new 256-hp 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine and is exclusively equipped with a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission.
The interior of the Legacy is extremely comfortable and can be equipped with a full range of electronic accessories. All cockpit controls are easy to read and to access. The hazard light is oddly placed low in the center console where it can be pressed by your knuckles as you shift into “park”.
While my drive of the 2010 Legacy occurred during our exceptionally great fall weather, I have driven older models of the Legacy when snow came to the lowlands – and that was enough to make me understand why Northwest drivers love their Subarus!
Sally Hanson, a 29-year resident of Kirkland, is a freelance automotive journalist who has test driven more than 1000 vehicles over the past 20 years. She received a B.A. degree in journalism from the University of Houston and is currently scholarship chair for the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Sally and her husband, Don, own Juanita Bay Pharmacy in Kirkland.
