Subaru’s mid-size Legacy has been completely redesigned for 2010. It has grown, but remains true to its roots of providing a standard all-wheel drive. Handling the latest model, with its bigger back seat, larger trunk, new styling and refined powertrains, was a refreshing experience as it exemplified how it tolerates abuse and foul weather. The turbocharged 260-bhp 2.5GT that we know of has remained, specification-wise, mostly the same.
In other words, the engine is the same normally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer that has powered every entry-level Subaru since 1999. The new Legacy doesn’t weigh that much more than the old one, and the 2.5-liter normally aspirated engine makes the same 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque that Subaru’s basic engines have made for the last 10 years.
New for this year, the basic Legacy also gets the formerly premium 6-speed manual transmission, which offers fuel economy. What’s additionally new is a revised exhaust that moves the turbocharger to the front and bottom of the engine. This promises to decrease lag and improve throttle response. The GT comes equipped with a 6-speed manual, but this time it’s borrowed from a diesel, which means it has extra robustness.
The base 2.5i also offers a 6-speed manual, but an available Lineartronic CVT promises fuel economy and acceleration improvements over the manual. This holds out hope, as it comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and six selectable gear ratios.
The Legacy appears significantly larger, but it’s only 1.4 inches longer overall. The wheelbase has been lengthened with shorter front and rear overhangs, and it’s also taller and wider by 3.2 inches and 3.6 inches, respectively. This affords the Legacy massive interior space and a trunk that’s said to hold four full-size golf bags.
The newest model is the 3.6R, which features a flat 6-cylinder engine that runs on regular gas and makes 256-bhp. It’s available only with a 5-speed automatic.
