2010 Subaru Legacy
Prices: $19,995-$27,995

The first Subaru sold in America resembled a tiny lump of ice cream and was gutless.

But that was decades ago, and Subarus improved a lot as years passed. One of its big sales breaks came when all Subaru models were equipped with standard all-wheel drive, which wasn't offered for most cars. 

Now we have the redesigned fifth-generation redesigned Subaru Legacy, which is Subaru's flagship sedan. Some may consider it competitive with the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, but it's more of a rival to autos such as the Nissan Altima, Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat.

Subaru is among few automakers that have higher U.S. sales this year, despite a massive industry sales slide, and the new Legacy should make the automaker even more attractive.

The nicely constructed and painted 2010 Legacy is built on a new platform. It's larger, quieter, faster and more sophisticated than its predecessor and is available with a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a larger six-cylinder. All engines have the same compact "boxer" configuration with an opposed piston design for a lower center of gravity and better handling.

The wheelbase is up 3.2 inches to 108.3 inches, while the car is 3.2 inches higher and 3.6 inches wider than the previous model. But overall length is up by just 1.4 inches and overhang dimensions are reduced for a trimmer look.

With nearly four inches of additional rear leg room, a tall person can stretch out a bit behind a tall driver, whereas last year's model had a rather tight back seat. However, the center of the rear seat is best left to the fold-down armrest with dual cupholders because it's too stiff for comfort.

The trunk has a low, wide opening and is large, with a lower load floor made possible by a more compact double-wishbone rear suspension. Rear seatbacks have handy trunk releases and flip forward and sit flat to increase the cargo area. The pass-through opening between the trunk and back seat is fairy large. The trunk raises smoothly on gas damper struts and is lined, with an interior indented area to assist closing it.

There are a variety of models, ranging from $19,995 to $27,995. The 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Limited have a revised 170-horsepower four-cylinder engine. A 2.5GT, offered in Premium and Limited trim, has a new turbocharged, intercooled 265-horsepower four-cylinder put below the engine for smoother turbo response. All engines provide good acceleration, with the turbo four-cylinder moving the car from 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds.

Finally, there's the new 3.6R, offered in Premium and Limited trim. It's powered by a 3.6-liter, 256-horsepower six-cylinder engine, borrowed from Subaru's Tribeca SUV. The 3.6 replaces a 3-liter six and makes the $24,995 3.6R the most affordable six-cylinder all-wheel-drive car sold in America. It only requires regular-grade fuel, compared to premium in the discontinued 3-liter six.

Transmissions include a six-speed manual that's notchy if rushed and works with a light, but long-throw clutch that occasionally caused my test car to stall. Also offered is an efficient continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)--first variable-ratio Subaru transmission offered in America since the small Justy's in the 1980s. There's also a conventional five-speed automatic. The 2.5GT comes only with the manual.
 
Estimated fuel economy for the 2.5i is 19 mpg in the city and 27 on highways with the manual and 23 and 31 with the CVT. It's 18 and 25 for the 2.5GT. The 3.6R engine works with the five-speed automatic, but no economy  figures are available yet for it. Legacy fuel capacity is 18.5 gallons.

All Legacys are fairly well equipped. For instance, the 2.5i has standard air conditioning, AM/FM/CD, cruise control, tilt/telescopic steering column, manual height-adjustable driver's seat and power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote entry.  They all have stability and traction control systems and an electronic parking brake with a hill-holder feature.

The 2.5i Premium features a power driver's seat, 16-inch alloy (instead of steel) wheels, body color side mirrors and a driver's window with an automatic up/down function.

The 2.5i Limited has a power front passenger seat, 17-inch alloy wheels with wider tires, CVT transmission, dual-zone automatic climate control, upscale sound system and leather-trimmed upholstery.

The 2.5GT provides the turbo engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, functional hood scoop and dual chrome exhaust tips, while the 2.5GT Premium adds a power passenger seat, dual automatic climate control and leather upholstery.

The 3.6R mainly has the larger six-cylinder, while the 3.6R Premium adds an all-weather package and the 3.6R Limited adds a power passenger seat, dual climate control and woodgrain pattern interior trim.

A sunroof is optional for most models, as is a navigation system.  

Safety features for all include front side-impact and side curtain air bags, the stability and traction control systems and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist for surer sudden stops.

There are three types of Subaru's well-developed  Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for added traction and stability.

The speed-controlled variable power assist steering helps provide good control, and the new rear suspension helps provide a supple ride and better handling. Handling is good, and the ride is supple. The brake pedal feels a little soft, but has a progressive action.

Large outside door handles and wide door openings make it simple to slip into the interior, which has supportive front seats, easily read gauges and a mixture of large and small audio and climate system controls that are generally intuitive to use. There are a good number of cabin storage areas, and all cupholders are nicely located.

There's a good amount of hard plastic in the trim-looking interior, but it doesn't look cheap. Frameless side windows help make the interior quieter. But the space-saving electronic parking brake control makes a clunking sound when engaged or disengaged.

The hood raises on twin gas damper struts and has an inside cover. Some fluid filler areas are at the rear of the engine compartment, causing one to move to the side of the car to  easily fill them.

The Legacy's "boxer" engine and all-wheel drive give it some of Subaru's old quirkiness. But it's become much more of a mainstream car, with a larger potential market.