Choosing a Smart May Be Getting Smarter
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2010 Subaru Legacy Review

August 28, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Bold new design…larger and more refined than the model it replaces
JDPower.com

Might not be the most exciting midsize sedan, but it looks tasteful and modern
Automobile Magazine

Interior design is sleek and sophisticated, but you better like silver paint
Edmunds

Subaru’s polarizing styling has grown even more so in the last couple years, but the debut of the all-new 2010 Subaru Legacy proves that Subaru’s designers can still turn out a very attractive and attention-getting sedan.

The outgoing 2009 Subaru Legacy didn’t offer much visual panache, so for 2010 Subaru has chosen what JDPower.com reviewers call a “bold new design” for the Legacy lineup. Edmunds describes the 2010 Subaru Legacy as a “five-passenger midsize sedan offered in base 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5GT Premium, 2.5GT Limited,” and 3.6R base, Premium, and Limited trim levels. All versions of the Subaru Legacy 2010 lineup feature nearly identical styling, which Automobile Magazine calls “tasteful and modern,” with a style that is “easy to identify…as a Subaru, but the design is generic enough to appeal to most midsize sedan shoppers.” JDPower.com describes some of the more distinctive design elements by noting the “character lines [that] arc from the grille and form power bulges on the hood, tapering off into the A-pillar,” while the “new design incorporates a larger greenhouse, and a shorter deck gives the vehicle a sporty look.”

Not all reviews read by TheCarConnection.com contain positive comments, however; one Cars.com reviewer characterizes the Subaru Legacy’s design as “not so much controversial—that can be a good thing—as simply overwrought, chaotic even.”

Inside the cabin of the 2010 Subaru Legacy Subaru has clearly made an effort to improve the overall styling theme and cabin ergonomics, and the corporate design team has been largely successful. Autoblog says all of the Subaru Legacy’s “controls are easy to reach and intuitive to use, with the exception of a too-crowded and too-low panel that houses the power mirror controls.” There are some competing opinions from Cars.com and Edmunds; the former feels that “the center controls feel needlessly crammed together, and major dials like volume and stereo tuning are too small,” while Edmunds simply states that “the Legacy’s interior design is sleek and sophisticated.”

TheCarConnection.com’s own editors come away impressed with the cabin after their time with the Subaru Legacy 2010 lineup, finding the controls generally easy to use and the cabin extraordinarily comfortable.

Conclusion

The 2009 Subaru Legacy doesn't make a strong statement, but it has a cohesive design that's well executed and nicely detailed inside and out.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Bold new design…larger and more refined than the model it replacesJDPower.comMight not be the most exciting midsize sedan, but it looks tasteful and modernAutomobile MagazineInterior design is sleek and sophisticated, but you better like silver paintEdmunds Subaru’s polarizing styling has grown even more so in the last couple years, but the debut of the all-new 2010 Subaru Legacy proves that Subaru’s designers can still turn out a very attractive and attention-getting sedan. The outgoing 2009 Subaru Legacy didn’t offer much visual panache, so for 2010 Subaru has chosen what JDPower.com reviewers call a “bold new design” for the Legacy lineup. Edmunds describes the 2010 Subaru Legacy as a “five-passenger midsize sedan offered in base 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5GT Premium, 2.5GT Limited,” and 3.6R base, Premium, and Limited trim levels. All versions of the Subaru Legacy 2010 lineup feature nearly identical styling, which Automobile Magazine calls “tasteful and modern,” with a style that is “easy to identify…as a Subaru, but the design is generic enough to appeal to most midsize sedan shoppers.” JDPower.com describes some of the more distinctive design elements by noting the “character lines [that] arc from the grille and form power bulges on the hood, tapering off into the A-pillar,” while the “new design incorporates a larger greenhouse, and a shorter deck gives the vehicle a sporty look.” Not all reviews read by TheCarConnection.com contain positive comments, however; one Cars.com reviewer characterizes the Subaru Legacy’s design as “not so much controversial—that can be a good thing—as simply overwrought, chaotic even.” Inside the cabin of the 2010 Subaru Legacy Subaru has clearly made an effort to improve the overall styling theme and cabin ergonomics, and the corporate design team has been largely successful. Autoblog says all of the Subaru Legacy’s “controls are easy to reach and intuitive to use, with the exception of a too-crowded and too-low panel that houses the power mirror controls.” There are some competing opinions from Cars.com and Edmunds; the former feels that “the center controls feel needlessly crammed together, and major dials like volume and stereo tuning are too small,” while Edmunds simply states that “the Legacy’s interior design is sleek and sophisticated.” TheCarConnection.com’s own editors come away impressed with the cabin after their time with the Subaru Legacy 2010 lineup, finding the controls generally easy to use and the cabin extraordinarily comfortable. ConclusionThe 2009 Subaru Legacy doesn't make a strong statement, but it has a cohesive design that's well executed and nicely detailed inside and out. 2010 SUBARU LEGACY STYLING | [8 out of 10] JDPower.com: “Bold new design…larger and more refined than the model it replaces” Automobile Magazine: “Might not be the most exciting midsize sedan, but it looks tasteful and modern” Edmunds: “Interior design is sleek and sophisticated, but you ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Subaru has targeted the Mazda6, Altima, and Passat as the new Legacy's primary rivals. In all three cases, these cars have a little more personality and more driving enjoyment than some of the other mid-size rivals like the Camry or Malibu. With the CVT, the base 2.5i model gets better fuel economy with all-wheel drive than front-wheel-drive competitors. TheCarConnection.com loves the new Mazda6's roomy interior and agile handling, but its interior isn't as well executed as in the Legacy. The Volkswagen Passat doesn't feel as roomy in back, and its turbocharged base engine requires premium fuel, while the base engine or six in the Legacy are fine with regular. The Nissan Altima also has a smaller backseat; it has a sporty feel and handles well, but it's only offered with front-wheel drive. Its interior is also somewhat drab on base models. The Honda Accord is a paragon of mid-size sedan refinement, with a beautiful interior and responsive and fuel-efficient powertrains, but like most of these mid-size sedans, it's not offered with all-wheel drive. The Camry retains one of the roomiest interiors, but it's not especially entertaining to drive and its interior materials are a step below those in most of these other models. The Ford Fusion offers all-wheel drive only on a more expensive V-6 model, so if you're on a budget or want better fuel economy, the Legacy is an especially attractive value.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2010 Subaru Legacy from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2010 Subaru Legacy

Check Financing Rates

for the 2010 Subaru Legacy

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2010 Subaru Legacy near you

See the Subaru Legacy in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2006 | 2005

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy