Review 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5i: Nice car for nice people who live with not so nice weather

Subaru_Legacy_2010_MAIN

I had to think long and hard regarding the new Legacy and its changes.
There are so many changes that one would be hard-pressed to link last
generation’s performance and style with this one. In fact, other than
the engine and some odds and ends – this is a COMPLETELY different car.

Rather than compare it with the sleek Legacy from the previous
generation, let’s consider this a new entry into the Subaru lineup.

So,
this NEW Subaru is geared towards Camry, Accord, Malibu and Ford Fusion
customers. There is a ton of room inside with backseat space easily
comparable with any competitor. Trunk space is generous too with 14.7
cubic feet which is mid-pack (and rather spacious).

Cabin
materials are some of the best Subaru has produced and other than 2
glitches, the ergonomics are first rate. I have yet to warm up to
electric parking brakes; the Subaru Legacy’s is on the left of the
steering wheel and is counterintuitive in operation. Also, my meat-hook
paws are clumsy enough as it is – to place the hazard signal within
knuckle reach when shifting into 3rd is a poor decision. During nearly
every 3rd gear shift (on the not-too-bad, new 6-speed manual) I smacked
the hazard switch. In time, I rewarded myself with french-fries
whenever I dodged the button. Soon, I learned how to avoid the hazard
switch.

There is a gas mileage gage on the left of the dash that is somewhat
useless. It tells you when you’re getting better mileage, which is
whenever you are not smashing your foot down on the accelerator. The
new 6-speed manual and brand-new continuously variable transmission
(which I’m rarely a fan of) already help with the Subaru Legacy’s gas
mileage. I averaged a rather good 21 mpg driving like an escaped
convict. Brakes are good with discs all around.

As for the rest
of the interior, it is very family friendly and worthy of applause –
especially for an approximately 20K dollar car. Yup, the base is a few
bucks shy of $20,000. Not too shabby. Of course, loaded with the larger
6-cylinder or beefier 4-cylinder turbo, prices increase considerably.
This is a big, heavy vehicle so I am rather curious what the turbo is
like.

The
2.5 liter, normally aspirated 170 horsepower (with 170 lbs feet of
torque) is essentially the only carryover from – um, before… 0 to 60
times averaged a bit under 8 seconds. Torque and horsepower fall off at
high rpm, so shifting around 6,000 rpm gave me the best performance.

About
the looks; let me put it this way, I was at an intersection and a guy
in an older WRX pulled up. “Is THAT the new Legacy?” he yelled out his
window. “Yes,” I replied. “That’s — —- ———— dude,” he said
before zooming off in a cloud of burnt rubber. I can still hear the
echoing laughter.

To me, it looks like a cross of a Chrysler Sebring and last generation’s Toyota Avalon.
 
Looks
aside, this new type of Subaru is extremely relaxed on the road, even
more comfortable than the Subaru Tribecca. There is a ton of body lean,
but if you keep to an AARP pace the Legacy rewards in competence and on
road solidity. Not a whole bunch of Subaru’s soul is present in the new
Legacy. If you uncork the engine and bring it up to a boil, the sinuous
growl of the boxer engine can still be heard.

Is it a great car? Naw, it’s a nice car for nice people who live in a place that has not too nice weather.

Nathan
Automotive media, racing, vehicle evaluation, wrecking yards, and car
sales are just a part of Nathan Adlen’s vehicular past. He writes out
of high octane passion! To read more reviews by Nathan Adlen or just to
enjoy more of excellent writing please visit him on at his examiner.com
page HERE. Photos by: N.D