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2009 Subaru Legacy Quality Review

June 15, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the turbocharged engine is subdued and refined
ConsumerGuide

poor rear-seat headroom
Motor Trend

most backseat passengers should find the Legacy plenty accommodating
Kelley Blue Book

The 2009 Subaru Legacy is a bit smaller inside than many mid-sizers, but its cabin is well-fitted.

Edmunds says “the backseat is a lowlight, however—while it's comfortable enough for two average-sized passengers, leg- and shoulder-room are unusually tight compared with other midsize sedans.” On the other hand, Kelley Blue Book contends "most backseat passengers should find the Legacy plenty accommodating for trips across town and beyond." The Washington Post reports "seating for five people" aboard the Legacy, and ConsumerGuide points out "plenty of legroom, but headroom is tight for taller riders"—an impression confirmed at Motor Trend, which weighs in with "poor rear-seat headroom."

ConsumerGuide acknowledges that 2009 Subaru Legacy "sedans have a wide trunk opening and low liftover. The hinges are shrouded to avoid cargo damage, but they take up some space. Standard 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold almost flat." Edmunds confirms this: “The Legacy's trunk is similarly undersized at 11.4 cubic feet, though a ski pass-through and fold-down rear seats help make the most of the car's hauling capacity.” The Washington Post reports that 2009 Subaru "luggage capacity is a smallish (for a midsize sedan) 11.4 cubic feet."

ConsumerGuide says "assembly quality has been good on models tested," but "despite a revamped interior, materials are nothing special." However, Edmunds proclaims Subaru 2009 interior materials are "excellent, and style, fit and finish are competitive with more expensive European marques." Cars.com notes that most Subaru 2009 updates "are related to new equipment...the steering wheel has 16 buttons—a tricky layout where a wrong move could inadvertently remap the accelerator's response or downshift the transmission."

ConsumerGuide reports "the turbocharged engine is subdued and refined," though "some testers complain of body drumming over broken pavement," and "a fair amount of wind and tire noise filters into the cabin at highway speeds."

Conclusion

The 2009 Subaru Legacy leans toward the compact end of the mid-size spectrum, though its materials are first rate.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:the turbocharged engine is subdued and refinedConsumerGuidepoor rear-seat headroomMotor Trendmost backseat passengers should find the Legacy plenty accommodatingKelley Blue Book The 2009 Subaru Legacy is a bit smaller inside than many mid-sizers, but its cabin is well-fitted. Edmunds says “the backseat is a lowlight, however—while it's comfortable enough for two average-sized passengers, leg- and shoulder-room are unusually tight compared with other midsize sedans.” On the other hand, Kelley Blue Book contends "most backseat passengers should find the Legacy plenty accommodating for trips across town and beyond." The Washington Post reports "seating for five people" aboard the Legacy, and ConsumerGuide points out "plenty of legroom, but headroom is tight for taller riders"—an impression confirmed at Motor Trend, which weighs in with "poor rear-seat headroom." ConsumerGuide acknowledges that 2009 Subaru Legacy "sedans have a wide trunk opening and low liftover. The hinges are shrouded to avoid cargo damage, but they take up some space. Standard 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold almost flat." Edmunds confirms this: “The Legacy's trunk is similarly undersized at 11.4 cubic feet, though a ski pass-through and fold-down rear seats help make the most of the car's hauling capacity.” The Washington Post reports that 2009 Subaru "luggage capacity is a smallish (for a midsize sedan) 11.4 cubic feet." ConsumerGuide says "assembly quality has been good on models tested," but "despite a revamped interior, materials are nothing special." However, Edmunds proclaims Subaru 2009 interior materials are "excellent, and style, fit and finish are competitive with more expensive European marques." Cars.com notes that most Subaru 2009 updates "are related to new equipment...the steering wheel has 16 buttons—a tricky layout where a wrong move could inadvertently remap the accelerator's response or downshift the transmission." ConsumerGuide reports "the turbocharged engine is subdued and refined," though "some testers complain of body drumming over broken pavement," and "a fair amount of wind and tire noise filters into the cabin at highway speeds." ConclusionThe 2009 Subaru Legacy leans toward the compact end of the mid-size spectrum, though its materials are first rate. 2009 SUBARU LEGACY STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "competitive with more expensive European marques” Autoblog: "metallic trim and crisp, contemporary styling" Motor Trend: "wood trim around the lower dashboard is the only letdown" Last year the Subaru Legacy was updated slightly, ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Altima and Passat are both sporty mid-size sedans that have very attractive, comfortable interiors, though the Altima isn't available with all-wheel drive and the Passat only offers it with the more expensive V-6 model. The Audi A4 is a more formidable alternative, with its fuel-efficient 2.0T powertrain, quattro all-wheel drive, and very attractive, upscale interior. Finally, Volvo and Subaru buyers have long overlapped, and the Volvo S60 has several sensible and attractive all-wheel-drive models. Neither of them offers performance like the GT Spec.B, but the S60 has a better ride and more comfortable interior. With its standard all-wheel drive and more of a reputation for performance than for being a bread-and-butter family vehicle, the 2009 Subaru Legacy competes with some of the more exciting-to-drive mid-size sedans, along with the most affordable of the European sports sedans. Both the S60 and the Legacy are due to be replaced next year.

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See the Subaru Legacy in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2006 | 2005

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