Well, since the first Subaru Legacy appeared on our U.S. shores in 1990, it has become the most mainstream of the once quirky car company’s products, and a legacy itself as it now appears in its fifth generation.
Maintaining the all-wheel-drive prowess and horizontally-opposed engine of Subaru’s past, the latest version of this Legacy gained a more mainstream look than ever when introduced for 2010, plus a longer wheelbase. Its three Porsche-like flat engines also offer 170 to 265 horsepower.
I’ve been sporty in the past year with the turbocharged 265-hp Legacy 2.5GT with 6-speed manual. Now it’s time to look at a more luxury-oriented mileage-leader, the 170-hp Legacy 2.5i Limited PZEV, or partial zero-emission vehicle model, with a continuously variable transmission.
* Subaru shape – My first vision of this generation Legacy was when I met Subaru of America CEO Tom Doll at a dealership groundbreaking, and he drove up in a red 2.5i Limited. Now we have one to ourselves in a nicely-done Caramel Bronze Pearl (brown metallic) paint job planted on 17-inch Bridgestone Turanza radials with pretty 10-spoke alloy wheels. It has more sculpting to its body shape than previous generations. That begins with a big winged Subaru emblem in a squared-off chrome grille mounted on a more upright nose due to new pedestrian safety standards. Big curved headlights sweep up off the grille into the fender design lines, with prominent fender flares framing the Bridgestone rubber. A design line angles gently up pf the front fenders and under the chrome-trimmed side windows to the tail, adding a slight wedge shape to the sedan. The lower door sills flow outward, emphasizing a Legacy wheelbase that’s grown 3.2 inches to 108.3 inches. Door windows that had always been frameless on past Legacys get frames for better weather- and soundproofing, with blacked-out B-pillars. Wrap-around taillights sit on a higher rear deck, our test car’s single exhaust tip peeking out on one side. Overall, a more interesting shape than in the past, if a bit similar to other mid-size imports. And not everyone liked the color.
* Legacy living – The living space in a Legacy has always been a nice, if not entirely luxurious place to be. Our Legacy Limited does a nice job of changing that with a brown over tan scheme with warm fake wood and buff silver accents. It well laid out in quality materials that had nice feel, and fit and finish. Front buckets were comfortable, 10-way power-adjustable with dual heat settings and power lumbar that worked well on a long trip. The leather-wrapped three-spoke tilt/telescope wheel hosts audio, cruise and voice command buttons, framing a hooded hard plastic binnacle with prominent four-dial (central 150-mph speedometer and 8,000-rpm tach) gauge package with a top-center odometer/trip odometer. Oddly, there is an analog mpg gauge, and only an idiot light temperature gauge.
Dashtop center, a display for the clock, trip computer and outdoor temperature. Dash center, a large touch screen heads the alloy-accented navigation/audio/dual-zone climate control unit, some of the red-lit buttons framed in an LED-lit frosted white panel that looked cool. The touch-screen unit also housed a calculator and calendar. Our test car had a powerful and solid-sounding 440-watt harman-kardon AM-FM-Sirius Satellite-CD sound system, plus a quick-to-connect Bluetooth cellphone system and voice command of navigation and audio. In the center armrest storage area, a 12-volt power outlet plus an MP3 and USB/iPod port, while Bluetooth audio rounds out the portable music choices. The quick-acting heat was appreciated on a chilly morning drive, and the rubber-padded center console nook with 12-volt power outlet, plus decent dual-level center armrest storage area and glove box were solid for storage too. The longer wheelbase, with almost four inches of added rear legroom, made it easy to pack two adults in back, headroom no problem since this generation Legacy is 3.2 inches higher. In back, a 14.7-cubic-foot trunk that expands by flipping and folding rear seats via trunk-mounted handles, with a segmented storage tray under the floor.
The push-button electronic parking brake button means no regular lever in the center console, so there’s more room for cup holders and the seat heater buttons. We liked the back-up camera and moonroof, but had to duck and squint for the trunk release and traction control button mounted low and to the left of the steering wheel.
* Subaru street sense – Subaru’s former quirky design and engineering is still apparent in the engine room of the latest Legacy - a Boxer (opposing cylinder) four-cylinder engine on our 6,600-mile-old test model. The 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine (with PZEV rating) also came with the new Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission, where chains and pulleys do the job of gears. This is a first use of a longitudinally mounted CVT in an all-wheel-drive production car, says Subaru. It has smaller pulley cores for a compact design and supposedly offers better gas mileage with its infinite gearing, with paddle shifters to select from six pre-selected steps to "shift." If I turned the stereo off and listened, I could hear its chain while driving, and there was a bit of wind noise at highway speed.
The real-world result is the engine finds the sweet spot in revs for the job you want it to do, and stays around there while the CVT does the gearing. Our 3,451-lb sedan gave us a leisurely start as the engine went to 5,000- to 5,200rpm, then stayed there until we hit 60-mph in an average 9 seconds. Passing power was adequate. With an active valve lift system and an 18.5-gallon (vs. 16.9 in 2009) fuel tank, we averaged a nice 27-mph and did a six-hour round trip on a tank of regular. The PZEV part means very low emissions that meet California standards. The $34,000 2.5GT we tested a year ago with a 265-hp turbocharged, intercooled four hooked to an accurate, but notchy six-speed manual hit 60 mph in 6 seconds and averaged a decent 22 mpg.
The MacPherson-type strut front suspension and a new double-wishbone rear suspension resulted in a comfortable ride for our Legacy Limited. The all-wheel-drive system's viscous-coupled locking center differential splits power 50/50 front to rear as needed, so we had great traction and confidence in exit ramps and turns, with a bit of body roll. Push harder and there was understeer, although the all-wheel-drive was apparent. The car was distinctly softer in feel that the 2.5GT we tested last year, nice for a trip and responsive enough in normal driving, but a bit too soft for my tastes and a bit bouncy over some bumps. The power steering was very direct; the all-wheel disc brakes had progressive bite and good stopping power with no fade after some tough use. Along with stability control and ABS, there’s front and side-impact airbags up front, and outboard head air curtains for all four main seating positions.
* Legacy finances - A base 170-hp Legacy 2.5i with 6-speed manual transmission starts at $20,690; our 2.5i Limited PZEV was based at $26,020. It had standards like heated side mirrors, wood-grain interior accents, cruise control, remote entry, 440-watt harmon-kardon sound system, iPod and MP3 audio inputs, dual-zone climate control, leather interior and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Options included $300 for the PZEV, and $2,995 for the power moonroof/navigation system package, which made the final price $29,315. A Honda Accord EX automatic starts at about $25,000, and has 190-hp four. A base Nissan Maxima S has a 290-hp V-6 and about a $30,000 base price. The very stylish Hyundai Sonata SE, with 200-hp four, based at about $23,000, and the new Buick Regal CXL starts at about $27000 with a 182-hp four. All of those hit 60-mph about a second faster, or more, and most were a bit more nimble and athletic in feel, some not as nicely loaded with equipment for the price.
* Bottom line – Subaru has established a legacy with its line-up of vehicles, going from a quirky car company that appealed to folks who needed all-wheel-drive to almost mainstream in the past decade while still offering value and innovation. The newest Legacy is an example of a comfortable, roomy, fuel-efficient family sedan with all-wheel-drive security, a more pleasing look and a level of near-luxury inside. It is nice choice in a crowded world of mid-size family sedans, but I’d go for the GT myself.
2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited PZEV
Vehicle type - 4-door, 5-seat all-wheel-drive sedan
Base price - $26,020 ($29,315 as tested)
Engine type - DOHC boxer 4-cylinder
Displacement - 2.5 liters
Horsepower (net) - 170 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) - 170 @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission - 6-speed CVT automatic
Wheelbase - 108.3 inches
Height - 59.3 inches
Overall length - 186.4 inches
Overall width - 71.7 inches
Front headroom - 38.1 inches
Front legroom - 43 inches
Rear headroom - 37.5 inches
Rear legroom - 37.8 inches
Cargo capacity - 14.7 cu. ft.
Curb weight - 3,451 lbs.
Fuel capacity - 18.5 gallons
Mileage rating - 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway
Last word - Frugal, comfortable, sure-footed family sedan
By Dan Scanlan - MyCarData
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