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Subaru Legacy
Review: If you're looking for a German car, you're probably thinking
about buying a Volkswagen, BMW, Audi or Mercedes. But have you ever
considered a Subaru? Subaru’s aren't made in Germany, obviously, and I'm
not aware of any legitimate German connection. They're about as German
as a Chicken McNugget.
Somehow, though, every
time I drive a Subaru I come away feeling like it's a German sedan. They
have that Teutonic heft, that heavy mechanical precision, that solid
thud when you shut the door, all the things you normally find in a
well-built German car.
In fact, the Subaru
Legacy I'm driving this week feels just like a budget BMW, right down to
the electronic emergency brake that's activated with a button, the same
as in the very pricey 5-Series.
It's not as fast as a
comparable BMW, nor as composed at high speeds, but the very fact that
it comes so close to the storied German brand, and does so at a
drastically lower price, says everything about what Subaru aspires to
be.
They're aiming for the
best, and it shows in the new Legacy.
Subaru completely
redesigned the mid-size Legacy sedan for 2010, and they did a brilliant
job. Last year's Legacy was a good car, but the new one is better in
every way, from the way it looks, to how it feels on the road, to the
amount of space in the interior.
Style-wise, the 2010
Legacy is bolder than before. It draws inspiration from classy, sporty
and athletic cars, most notably the wheel arches on the Mercedes-Benz
S-Class. And, if you're going to steal a car's look, that's a good place
to start.
The body is definitely
a departure from the more upright Legacy it replaces, Edmunds.com goes
so far as to call it "polarizing", although I heard nothing but
compliments about the styling during my time behind the wheel. It's a
handsome car that's just different enough to make it look more
interesting.
The driving feel is
just as impressive. It's one of those rare cars that gets the right
combination between sportiness and comfort, making it a joy for cruising
on the highway, and plenty of fun on winding roads too.
Handling is helped by
an outstanding all-wheel drive system, which is especially noticeable
when the roads are wet. It produces so much traction, and is so well
balanced when it starts to break loose, that it inspires confidence at
every turn.
Unfortunately, that
full-time all-wheel-drive system adds weight and sucks more power from
the engine to the point that its two nicest powerplants are only rated
for 18 miles per gallon in the city.
Speaking of engines,
the Legacy offers three enticing options: a 2.5-liter "boxer"
four-cylinder; a turbocharged four-cylinder; and a 3.6-liter
six-cylinder version. All three offer good power, and they're especially
smooth feeling, almost turbine-like, thanks to their horizontally
opposed cylinder layout that naturally reduces vibration. Porsche is
known for the same engine layout. There we go with that German thing
again.
Other improvements
include a bigger, more spacious cabin and an interior that has a feeling
of real quality. Everything feels tightly screwed together, and the
materials are soft and supple, almost like those in a true luxury car.
The overall feeling is
something special. It's one of the best handling sedans on the market,
with a Porsche-like engine and BMW-like sportiness that make you wonder
what language Subaru comes from.
What was tested?
The 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited with a base price of $29,995.
Options on the test car: The Moonroof and navigation package for $2,995,
the Sirius satellite kit for $461, and the trunk cargo net for $65. The
total MSRP price as tested including the $695 destination charge:
$34,211.
Why avoid it?
The all-wheel drive hurts gas mileage.
Why buy it? It
draws on the technical brilliance and driving feel of solid German cars,
but it has the Japanese reputation for reliability.
By Derek Price ©
AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
The Bottom Line:
The 2010 Subaru’s draw inspiration from Mercedes and BMW and the
newly redesigned Legacy model has a more dramatic, athletic looking
body. Coupled with Subaru's excellent engine lineup and all-wheel-drive
handling, it's a compelling sedan. The new Legacy also has a bigger
interior and more refined cabin, where high-quality materials make it
seem more expensive than it really is.
Bottom Line
Review provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
Subaru Home Page
“Tony the Car Guy”
is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay
Area. If you have a question or comment for Tony send it to
TonyLeo@pacbell.net or visit AutoWire.Net at
www.autowire.net
And remember: “ You Are
what you Drive ”
Column Name:
Legacy feels amazingly German
Topic: The 2010
Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited
Word Count: 835
Photo Caption:
The 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited
Photo Credits:
Subaru Legacy Internet Media
Series #:
2010 - 33
Download
the Microsoft Word version here:
2010 Subaru Legacy
Download the Original Image File here:
2010 Subaru Legacy
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