Subaru and the EPA say that the 2010 Legacy 2.5i sedan is capable of 31 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city with its base engine and CVT. Manual transmission drivers will find that the six-speed 2.5i is rated at 19/27, while the turbocharged 2.5GT and naturally aspirated 3.6R six-cylinder are rated at 18/25 – improvements across the board compared to the outgoing model despite increases in power.
The 31 mpg highway rating is a best-in-class figure for an all-wheel-drive midsize sedan, while the 18/25 of the 2.5GT and 3.6R match the all-wheel-drive Ford Fusion.
Following its 2009 New York Auto Show debut, Subaru has announced pricing for its 2010 Legacy. The base Legacy 2.5i will now start at $19,995 (plus $695 for destination), undercutting the previous model by $800. The up-level Legacy 2.5GT will sticker from $28,690 with the range-topping Limited model stickering from $30,690.
The 2010 Legacy was previewed by a show car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year and, as can be seen from the photos, the production car is true to the concept. Expect the production model to launch this summer, probably as early as the end of June.
Outside, the Legacy looks like a muscular sibling to its trim predecessor since it shares many design cues, including the front grille and c-pillar designs.
Inside, Subaru says it focused on quality materials. A new electronic parking brake eliminated the need for a traditional lever and added more space to the center console area for new cup holders and a storage bin. A three-spoke sport steering wheel with audio controls and paddle shifters for automatic-transmission models is standard and 10-way power driver’s and 4-way power passenger’s seats are optional on the base model but standard otherwise.
Subaru will continue to offer three engine choices and three basic models.
At the bottom of the lineup, the 2.5i continues with a mostly carryover 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower four-cylinder. Subaru says that a new resin-based intake manifold lowers the engine’s weight and improves low-end torque, which stands at 170 lb-ft. – now at 4,000 rpm versus 4,400 rpm before. Subaru also says that improved cooling and a revised catalyst will boost fuel economy figures above the 20/27 (manual) and 18/25 (automatic) before. The 2.5i will now come standard with a six-speed manual (versus a five-speed in 2009) and it will offer a CVT automatic rather than the four-speed conventional automatic from before.
The 2.5GT gets a revised 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer four with 265-horsepower and 258 lb-ft (a 22 horse and 17 lb-ft. improved over the old model). A modified turbocharger and a reduction in rpms required for peak torque – the torque curve is flat from 2,000 rpm to 5,600 rpm, Subaru says – make it both faster and more efficient than before. A six-speed manual and five-speed automatic remain available.
At the top of the range, the 3.6R model gets an uprated version of the 3.0-liter flat-six previously offered. Subaru says that the 3.6-liter six, which now uses regular fuel, puts out 256-horsepower and 247 lb-ft. of torque (compared to 245/215 from the outgoing engine). It’ll be paired to a five-speed automatic exclusively.
The CVT in the 2.5i, which is expected to make up the bulk of sales if historical figures are to be considered, is the first longitudinally-mounted CVT system in an all-wheel-drive car.
Underneath, all-wheel-drive is again standard and the suspension is significantly modified both front and rear. MacPherson struts up front and a double-wishbone rear suspension mate up with 16-inch steel or alloy wheels on base 2.5i models, while “premium” 2.5i models and 3.6Rs get 17-inch wheels. The 2.5GT receives 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. Stability control is standard across the line.
Externally, the Legacy remains about the same length, growing just over an inch, while adding over three inches to its width (now about 71.7 inches wide). Legacy adds about three inches to its height, as well.
Subaru says that rear seat room and trunk space are up, as well. The trunk will now hold four golf bags.
06/22, 9:26 AM
posted by:
snork
Not bad…I’m waffling between this and a 4-banger accord as my next daily commuter. So with the 2.5i and CVT at 23/31 mpg + AWD, kinda makes the Accord’s 22/31 mpg + FWD only look merely average. And I can definitely use the AWD living in the snowy hills of north NJ in the winter time.
06/22, 9:58 AM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
It’s great that the mileage has improved.. unfortunately, the looks haven’t.
06/22, 10:03 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
If I were waffling between this visual atrocity or an Accord (which is worse) I would save my money and walk.
No, seriously Snork, the 2010 4-banger Fusion is a far better deal than either. Damn good looks and good mileage, similar space, better quality ratings, excellent write-ups, more fun to drive, and less expensive.
This Toyotaru Legacamry is just fugly.
06/22, 10:07 AM
posted by:
zoomerzoom
I think Snork should get the car that he wants. We are not the ones who have to drive it.
06/22, 10:15 AM
posted by:
05Z88Path
@mayer_ray_nagin
Well said. This thing is not only ugly but worse then that…its just plain bland. We don’t Toyota look-a-likes in a world already full of them…
06/22, 10:16 AM
posted by:
05Z88Path
*need
06/22, 10:37 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
No no no, Zoomer, we all need to look to our glorious leaders in DC (peace be upon them) for divine guidance in the choice of our vehicles, health care, and everything else.
06/22, 10:41 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
keep tilting at those windmills, mayer quixote
on topic, this thing has an electronic parking brake? isn’t that a bad situation waiting to happen? something doesn’t seem right about that…
06/22, 11:57 AM
posted by:
snork
Well I’ve had/have 3 Subarus and 2 Hondas…and I’ve never put a dime other than regular maintenance into them. I know they’re definitely not the most exciting cars, but when you drive ~35k miles/yr (my 2003 Accord EX V6 coupe has 190k mile!), reliability and low cost of ownership are key buying criteria for me.
Besides IMHO, we are stilling buying and supporting Americans…both Subarus and Hondas are made right here.
@mayer: I just can’t get over the Fusion’s interior…my 03 Accord is still better IMHO. If it stepped up to the MKS’s level, I’d consider it.
@leftwingagenda: yeah, the electronic parking brake just doesn’t seem right to me neither. Isn’t the point of the parking brake also to act as an EMERGENCY brake since it is cable actuated and doesn’t depend on electronics/hydrolics?
06/22, 11:59 AM
posted by:
snork
I do like what I’ve seen in the new Ford Taurus’s interior though, it’s just more car than I need (too big).
06/22, 12:15 PM
posted by:
cocojoe53
Yes, it is a bit bland. And knowing it cost no more to produce an attractive car then a bland one make me wonder what their design team was thinking. I suggest they all take a field trip to an Audi dealership and take some photos. With that said, looking at a 50K + MRSP on a A4, the Legacy becomes a bit less ugly……
06/22, 1:47 PM
posted by:
bigp
nice i wish ford would bring the four banger with awd
06/22, 6:41 PM
posted by:
TL
snork has good points. Subaru’s AWD system would be nice in the climate that he lives in.
In my opinion, I like the Legacy’s interior better than the Fusions.
@zoomerzoom
I couldn’t agree with you more.
06/22, 6:43 PM
posted by:
TL
And, I think the Legacy resembles the more elegant Lexus GS from the rear-three-quarters view. Look at the second picture from the official images.
I believe that Subaru knows what they are doing. Otherwise, how would their sales be increasing while almost every other automakers sales are plummeting??
06/22, 11:09 PM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
The boxer engine configuration is a high-friction environment with a lot of reciprocating mass; it is essentially an inline-four broken in half and laid bottom to bottom. Thus, four camshafts (vs 2), a really odd and heavy crankshaft and a lot of other engineering issues. A 2.5-liter boxer takes almost 6 quarts of oil to cool it and a lot of other fluids as well. Getting 31 MPG out of one is really, really impressive. MPG was not the goal with that engine, it was the low center of gravity the engine affords (plus the ability to place the engine longitudinal with the driveshaft, obviously) so to coax good MPG out of it will always be a struggle.
snork etc: you trust the brake that is set when you choose Park, why would you not trust an e-bake that works by the exact same mechanism?
06/23, 11:16 AM
posted by:
jayjc08
I’d take an all wheel drive Fusion over this thing anyways.
Subaru has really, really disappointed me. I really like station wagons, and I’ve always liked Subaru’s. But after a quick spurt with “radical styling”, they’ve lost all balls and have reverted to about the blandest designs you can get. Honestly, the Corolla and American Focus looks better than the Impreza!
TL- I’ll tell you why, people are snatching up the last few current generation Legacy’s to keep away from this thing!
02WRXPSM- I think he’s getting at because it’s an emergency brake, if electronics fail. Not that it happens…
06/23, 11:22 AM
posted by:
RustyPanama
I will agree that for whatever reason, the pictures posted on this page make the Legacy look less than amazing. This is not the fault of LeftLane, as this includes the “official†pictures released by Subaru. Maybe a new marketing team for Subaru is called for? I mean – I’m all for ‘love’ but this love talk is getting to be too much. Let’s talk about passion too. Passion for performance, for driving, and for attractive vehicles; speaking of passion – as I mentioned above – if you do an online search, you will find other images of the 2010 Subaru Legacy that will give you a better overall appreciation of its appearance. I saw this vehicle live at the NYC show, and it is much more attractive than these pictures suggest. Honestly, I advise against basing your opinion(s) on the few shots displayed above, and check out some other shots online. In particular, there are a few side shots, and pictures of the car facing you ‘head-on’ that really demonstrate how great this car looks.