By RICHARD WILLIAMSON
Scripps Howard News Service Twenty years after launching its Legacy, Subaru is stretching the concept of an all-wheel-drive sedan in the redesigned 2010 edition.
Now in its fifth generation, the new Legacy is larger than any of its predecessors, providing a luxurious level of standard equipment and new power options from the well-regarded boxer engines.
To continue challenging primo competitors like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, Subaru is offering the Legacy at prices that threaten those front-drive rivals.
At a base price of $19,995, the least expensive Legacy costs $800 less than the 2009 model and about $150 less than the entry-level Camry.
The base version of the Legacy with a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine can be upgraded to Premium or Limited trim levels. A 2.5 GT version has a 265-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission for performance-oriented drivers.
The 3.6R version has a 3.6-liter, 256-horsepower, 6-cylinder engine that is also a "boxer" because its cylinders are laid out horizontally, 3 against 3. The review car was a 3.6R with a base price of $24,995. That price increased to $27,995 with the Limited equipment package.
The 3.6-liter engine is new, replacing a less potent 3-liter version whose external dimensions were comparable.
At first glance, it is obvious that the new Legacy is longer than previous generations. The wheelbase stretches 3.2 inches to 108.3, adding nearly 4 inches of rear-seat legroom. The sedan also adds 3.2 inches to its height and 3.6-inches to the width.
Legacy's size has long been a handicap as Camry, Accord and even Altima have grown to full-size proportions. Even with its new dimensions, Legacy is still nearly 8 inches shorter than the Accord and nearly 2 inches shorter in the wheelbase.
Your savvy Subaru salesman will probably tell you, however, that all-wheel-drive trumps those additional inches by improving safety, performance and security. You can customize your Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system in three modes: Continuous, Active Torque Split, and Variable Torque Distribution.
Legacy 3.6R models use Variable Torque Distribution with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The VTD system sends more power to the rear wheels in normal conditions to improve handling agility. When conditions change to slippery, icy or dicey, the system adjusts torque to the front wheels accordingly.
"Torsional rigidity," that holy grail of automotive engineers, was not neglected in the new model. They managed to stiffen the body for an even smoother, quieter ride than that offered by the 2009 model, which was pretty darn good. This car's ride quality and its crisp handling was once the province of luxury models that commanded much higher prices.
Engineers also redesigned the suspension, the engine cradle and other components for less noise and vibration while adding to the element of safety.
All trim levels come with the electronic wizardry that makes it nigh-on impossible for a sober, non-texting driver to lose control of his or her car. Vehicle Dynamics Control combines stability and traction control to keep the Legacy going where you intend for it to go, even when some degree of traction is lost. Also standard are 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist.
Recognizing a buyer's market in this brutal recessionary era, Subaru loaded up the menu of standard equipment in the 2010 Legacy. Even the lowest priced model gets air conditioning, cruise control, power accessories, 60/40 split folding rear seats, electronic parking brake and a hill holder system on the manual transmission versions.
The Premium trim adds 10-way power driver's seat (with power lumbar support adjustment), leather-wrapped steering wheel bearing switches for the 440-Watt harman-kardon audio system, a power moonroof, and the All-Weather Package that adds heated front seats and mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer.
The top Limited trim includes leather upholstery, dual zone automatic climate control, and a 4-way power front passenger seat. Options include voice-activated GPS navigation system with an 8-inch LCD display, rear-view backup camera and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity.
With a boost from the new Legacy, Subaru is performing some rather remarkable sales feats, continuing to increase sales as its Japanese rivals slip in the economic abyss. In September, Subaru eked out a 1 percent gain compared to the same month in 2008. In fact, Subaru is on pace to a record year, execs say.
"This has been a breakout year for us in terms of brand awareness and consistent sales success," said Tim Colbeck, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. "We are in the midst of a successful launch of 2010 Subaru Outback and Legacy models, which along with our Forester, are helping us buck the industry trends."
WHAT'S NEW: New design, engines for 2010 model year.
PLUSES: Performance, styling, safety.
MINUSES: No hybrid version, still smaller than Accord.
BOTTOM LINE: A long Legacy of all-wheel-drive.
E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend@bcglobal.net
