Subaru Legacy Review

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sedan

Introduced almost two decades ago, the Subaru Legacy is the company's longest-running nameplate in the United States. Thanks to its all-wheel drive, the Legacy has often been selected by consumers as a winter-beating alternative in the midsize sedan or wagon segment. It's also been highly regarded by Edmunds.com editors.

There have been four generations of the Subaru Legacy. For the current model, Subaru revamped the vehicle and its image by adding power and moving it more upscale with a slicker profile and premium standard features. The most significant change was the addition of the Impreza WRX STI's turbocharged engine, which slots the powerful Legacy GT Limited into a category that's typically occupied by European cars.

The Subaru Legacy has really come into its own with the current model. True, it's not a groundbreaking design, and it even bears some of the quirks that have come to characterize Subaru, such as a chunky hood scoop. But this Legacy possesses a more cosmopolitan character than in generations past. The interior materials are excellent, and style, fit and finish are competitive with more expensive European marques.

Current Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy is presently available as a sedan only and in seven trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Special Edition, 2.5i Limited, 2.5 GT Limited, 2.5 GT spec.B, 3.0R and 3.0 R Limited. Although the base car is a bit of a stripper, the other trims are well-equipped and can make the Legacy as luxurious and comfortable as some midsize cars wearing luxury badges.

Powering the 2.5i trim levels is a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine. The sportier GT Limited trim gets an exciting turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder good for 243 hp. These models come with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The 2.5 GT spec.B adds a firmer suspension, 18-inch wheels and a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0 R trims have a 245-hp 3.0-liter flat-6 that comes with a five-speed automatic transmission. As with all Subaru vehicles, AWD is standard across all models. Legacy 2.5i models are equipped with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. Buyers of the 2.5 GT have the choice of the five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic that features rev-matched downshifts, a rarity in this class, as well as paddle shifters. The 2.5 GT spec.B is available only with a six-speed manual transmission. Both 3.0 R models share the 2.5 GT's five-speed automatic.

In road tests, our editors have found the Subaru Legacy to be both sporty and comfortable -- a challenging combination for manufacturers to master. The steering is perfectly weighted. The ride is quiet. The 2.5-liter engine provides adequate power, but the Legacy GT Limited (with its turbocharged engine) is truly a fun car to drive hard. The one glaring bit of criticism has been the GT Limited's automatic transmission, which seems to be ill-suited for the vehicle's turbocharged engine.

Used Subaru Legacy Models

The present fourth-generation Legacy debuted for 2005. Slight but possibly significant changes have occurred since, so you'll want to pay attention to model years if you're shopping for a used Legacy of this generation. The high-performance, sedan-only GT spec.B trim was added for 2006 and the budget-priced 2.5 GT trim level was discontinued, which means 2005 was the only year for the turbocharged manual-transmission 2.5 GT wagon. That year also saw the addition of an optional DVD-based navigation system. For 2007, the GT spec.B received a six-speed manual in place of the original five-speed unit, and the 2.5-liter engine's horsepower rating was revised to 243 (from 250). All along, there was also a Legacy wagon, but for 2008 Subaru discontinued it. Only minor standard feature adjustments (including standard stability control) have occurred since.

The previous, third-generation Subaru Legacy was more of a rugged all-weather performer than the current model. Sold from 2000-'04, it launched with three primary trim levels: base L, sporty GT and premium GT Limited. A Brighton value trim was also included in the 2000 lineup for the wagon, but was removed the following year.

Although it was a bit lacking in refinement, the previous Legacy was well stocked with standard features, including AWD. All trims came with a smooth and responsive 165-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard and a four-speed automatic was optional. In 2003, Subaru moved the L trim upscale and added the L Special Edition trim, which was renamed the 35th Anniversary Edition a year later.

Value-minded buyers looking for an all-weather vehicle might take a look at the second-generation Subaru Legacy. Sold from 1995-'99, it was best known for spawning the Outback wagon, a rugged SUV alternative that came with standard AWD. The model's one weak link was its anemic 135-hp 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, which many people felt was a downgrade from the 160-hp turbocharged 2.2-liter four-cylinder that was available in the first generation's Sport Turbo trim (sold from 1991-'94).

SELECT A SPECIFIC SUBARU LEGACY MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.