Have you ever followed a small local band that eventually hit the big time?
Perhaps you were one of the first fans of that Rock band that today is selling out stadiums around the world.
Do you still like their music?
Is it the same as when you first heard them at some small club in the big city?
Think of Subaru as that band. While the rest of the automotive industry was in free fall (for most of this year) Subaru actually managed to do the unthinkable. The small Japaneses car company increased sales.
In fact for the month of October of 2009, Subaru posted a 41-percent gain year-over-year.
At a time when almost every other car company in the world was closing factories, slashing jobs, and the predicting the end of the automotive world as we know it Subaru saw significant sales increases across much of its model line.
Enter: (stage left) the all new 2010 Legacy
Unlike the previous model (which was a bit of a small and quirky sedan) the 2010 Legacy is all grown up and ready to rock your world.
OK, that's probably technically true but just like that band you knew from the small intimate club with those goofy but lovable song that eventually made it big, the newest Legacy has become much more polished, and much more competent, but perhaps a little less lovable for the early fans.
The 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unique Boxer engine is still there but for 2010 it has a substantially bigger car to haul.
The 2010 Legacy is just 1.4 inches longer, but it's nearly 4 inches wider and 3 inches taller, and with a wheelbase that's been extended by more than 3 inches. While the old car felt tight and compact, the new car feels substantial and serious in a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord sort of way.
The ride has also grown up and gone to adult rock school. What used to be a firm and somewhat sporty suspension set-up has been tuned for comfort and compliance. My 2.5i tester with the manual transmission is the sort of car that you'd be happy driving with parents for a Sunday family dinner at the Red Lobster.
They would appreciate the car's roomy seats and generous headroom. They would also appreciate the 2010 Legacy new expensive looking interior with only slight hints of cost cutting shiny plastics and questionable fake trim.
And if anyone happened to over eat, nobody's tummy would get upset on the ride home from anything that might even resemble spirited acceleration. When paired with the optional six-speed manual, the 2.5i Legacy certainly prefers a slow and dignified jog to the next red light, instead of a sprint.
If you prefer your Legacy a bit more athletic you should probably consider the 2.5GT with the 265-horsepower version of the 2.5-liter engine, or the the new 3.6R model which is normally aspirated and which replaces the old 3.0-liter model.
Either way I would also strongly suggest that you go with the the Lineartronic CVT, as Subaru calls their automatic transmission. So equipped the Legacy 2.5i achieves 23 mpg city / 31 mpg highway, but more importantly you won't be reminded of how much power you are missing with every manual shift.
Let's talk about styling of the new car. This is another one of those small band vs. popular band issues. The styling of the new car is much more conservative when compared to the old. Subaru's of day's past were unique in their approach to engine (Boxter), drive-train (AWD) and of course styling (granola).
But today's Subaru is much more mainstream when it come to the design specs. You now get a much more serious car that your boss and/or wife will find much more age appropriate.
Plus, you get tons of standard features for a base car starting at just under 20K including:
- power windows
-split-folding rear seatbacks
- locks and mirrors
-cruise control
-tilt-and-telescope steering
-keyless entry
- air conditioning
-AM/FM CD player with aux input to name just a few.
Do you recall the old Subaru's of yesterday that featured such quirky features as a spare tire mounted above the engine?
If that was your dream car, you'll have to shop for a used Subaru, but if you are looking for an AWD car that's much more mainstream, less quirky, and substantially more refined, the 2010 Legacy is a good place to start.
And just like that small band that eventually made it big, the 2010 Subaru Legacy may be a bit less lovable, but certainly much easier to live with on a daily basis and certainly more polished and refined.
Price as Tested: $19,995.00 (estimate)
2010 Subaru Legacy
Engine, Transmission: 2.5i-liter 4-cylinder Boxer with manual with six-speed transmission
Horsepower: 170
EPA Fuel Economy Estimates
City: 23 mpg
Highway: 31 mpg
As tested: 24.9 mpg
CO2 per year: 11,738 lbs
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Roman Mica is a columnist, journalist, and author, who spent his early
years driving fast on the German autobahn. When he's not reviewing cars
for the active set, you can find him training for triathlons and
writing about endurance sports for, EverymanTri.com.
Not bad. I'll consider this on my short list for preparing buying a new car next year.
Posted by: DMV Locations | 11/12/2009 at 08:27 PM