Everything Subaru, since 1996 Homepage  New models FAQ, prices, options, specs Archives  Rebates, interest rates Payment calculator Safety ratings Maintenance schedules Warranty info New cars for salein Seattle Used Subarus for sale Sitemap Crash tests hwysafety.org,  nhtsa.gov. NADA, Kelly, Carfax

Start your Subaru Legacy Research here 2010 specs, photo pages- interior #1, exterior#3, #4 I 2009, 2008, photos exterior, interior; 2007, photos;  2006, photos; 2005, photos; 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999-1998, 1997-1995, 1994-1990 or sitemap Please read- this unofficial independent Subaru research site by Joe Spitz is designed to help you learn about Subarus. It is not sponsored, authorized, supported or approved of by Subaru or any dealer and is not connected to, or affiliated with, any dealer. Always contact your local dealer. Information subject to change, correction. Background: introduced in 1990 the Legacy has been Subaru's best seller. The Legacy has come in a variety of sedan and wagon models including the popular Outback wagon starting in 1996.  Other models over the years have included the L, LS, LSi, turbo Sport (92-94) etc, most with the 2.2L engine.  The 2.5L engine was new in 1996 in the Outback, GT and LSi models. The Legacy Outback introduced in 1996 is now considered a separate line though it is based on the Legacy platform. All wheel drive became standard in 1997- front wheel drives were always pretty uncommon anyway. Special models have been offered over the years- in 1994 there was the Alpine Sport, in the 1999 the 30th Anniversary edition L, in 2003 and 2004 the SE etc  2005 the 4th generation Legacy and Outback was introduced. Powered by a 2.5L 4cylinder with an optional 2.5L 4 cylinder turbo, the re-designed 2005 Legacy is available in 2.5i, Limited and GT wagon and sedan versions.  The 3.0 6 cylinder was not available in a Legacy sedan until the 2008 3.0R model 2007 was the last year for Legacy wagon, it was dropped for the 08 models. All 2008 and newer Legacies are sedans, and all Outbacks are wagons.  2009 models all have standard VDC electronic stability control. 2010 models completely redesigned- bigger interior, new transmissions, framed doors, 3.6L engine replaces 3.0L... introduced at the NY auto show April 2009 more year by year... These unofficial research pages are by Joe Spitz, internet Subaru sales in Seattle, Washington. Tips, comments welcomed. Buying in Seattle? contact all new redesigtned 2010 Legacy- 2.5i Premium shown all photos, text, formatting c. by Joe Spitz unauthorized reproduction strictly prohibited you are here: http://www.cars101.com/legacy.html  v  2.11.10

2005-2009 Legacy- seacrest green Legacy 2.5i SE shown..

Made by Subaru in Lafayette, Indiana

8/27/09 Top Safety Pick- 2010 Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback are the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's newest Top Safety Pick award winners. "To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the Legacy and Outback." IIHS.org

6/24/09  2010s now arriving on car lots. All new and redesigned, slightly larger, more rear seat room,  3.6L 6 cylinder (used in the Tribeca) replaces 3.0L. 2 new transmissions for the 2.5L models- 6 speed manual and CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic. All GTs are now manual.  Premium models are available with a number of 'Option Packages' Prices announced 4/29. Production started early May.  2.5i list price drops $800, no change for the 10 2.5i Limited. The new 6 speed GT Limited is up $1100 but the Legacy 3.6L Ltd drops $1570. Production starts 3/27 in Lafayette. Announced 6/18/09, EPA fuel economy ratings for the new CVT is 23/31, combined 26. That's a major improvement over the old 4 speed automatic.

March 2009, 2010 Legacy info released late March. All new and redesigned 2010 Legacy first showing will be at the NY Int't Auto Show in April. Larger inside but 1" shorter overall! Taller, more rear seat legroom, slightly more ground clearance.  The 4 cylinder has new 6 speed manual or automatic CVT transmissions. The 3.6L from the Tribeca replaces the 3.0L. Turbo GT is a manual transmission only.  Framed windows are a first for the Legacy and Outback. Cars expected in June-July?
 

2010  The all new 2010 midsize Legacy sedan is longer, wider. taller, faster,  and has new more fuel efficient 6 speed manual or CVT automatic transmissions.
All 2010 Legacy and Outback 5th generation models are all new and completely redesigned. New body, new interiors, new tranmissions, new engines, pretty much new everything...
The 2010 Legacy Model Line-  the overall Legacy sedan line remains similar to previous years, with 4 cylinder, turbo and 6 cylinder models.
4 cylinder- there are 3 models, a base 2.5i, mid-range Premium (replaces SE), and top of the line Limited.
4 cylinder turbo GT models. The GT specB performance model is dropped! All 10 GTs will have a 6 speed manual transmission, with no automatic available in the GT. There are 2 models- Premium and Limited. Turbo unit moved to lower front center (see image above)
6 cylinder. New 3.6R models have the larger 3.6L engine used in the Tribeca. It has good power and runs on regular gas and is very a welcome upgrade! There are 3 3.6R models- the base 3.6R, a new mid-range 3.6R Premium model, and top of the line 3.6R Limited.

Other  brief   2010 Legacy highlights.
The cars are a bit larger and have a nice more open and spacious feel inside. Interior space has increased but the overall length and size has not gone up dramatically. There's a lot more back seat room (that's a good thing), the front seats are a bit wider and perhaps even softer (thank you) etc. All carefully done to maximize the available space in a mid-size car but not lose the quality, comfort and driving traits that have made the Legacy a great choice since 1990.
Frames doors- all models have framed doors. If you're familiar with the Legacy/Outback line from 1990-2009, you know the windows were always  'frameless', now all models will have frames. This adds rigidity and hopefully will reduce that ever-present wind noise from the outside mirror area that Subarus have been prone to.
Huh? For some reason the outside mirrors don't fold-away but perhaps that will change.
Option Packages. A new way of doing things. It's almost impossible to have the exact right car for every buyer. There are just too many possible combinations, some features sell here, others sell there- popularity can be based on region and driving conditions, like warm vs cold climate, wet vs dry, city vs country, lots of snow vs no snow.
Starting with the 10 models, Subaru is offering models with 'Option Package' upgrades. The 'Option Packages' are all described below. What this means for the buyer are more choices.
For example, on previous mid-range SE models, the All Weather Package has been standard. Like it or not, you got heated seats etc. Starting with 2010, it's an option. While I personally would want it, not everyone does- some want to save money, others live in warm climates where All Weather Pkgs and heated seats are silly.
Tall people don't like sunroofs (less headroom), other people really like them. The Sunroof  is now an option on the mid-range Premium where it was not available at all before, and is an option on the Limited model where is previously was standard.
Patience. please understand that with all the choices now offered, dealers may not carry in-stock the particular combination you want and will have to order it for you. Be patient.
Hill Holder and Electronic Parking Brake (with auto release): standard features on all models include a Hill Holder to help hold the car when starting on a hill, and an electronic parking brake system which eliminates a manual brake (no foot or hand brake).
Laser cut keys. There is finally a key lock cylinder to open the trunk. The lock is out of sight under the lip, but it there and easy to use. 18.5 gallon tank replaces the 16.9 gallon tank.

New transmissions - All 2.5L 4 cylinder models (not turbo) come with either a new 6 speed manual which replaces the 5 speed manual,  or a new automatic Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) with paddle shifters and 6 'gears'. The CVT gets mush better fuel economy (23/31mpg) than the old 4speed automatic it replaces that has been used for years (and years)..
 
 

12/5/05 Crash test results: 2006 Legacy is a 'Top Safety Pick' Gold Award winner from Insureance Institiute for Highway Safety. iihs.org. Top Safety Pick winners reflect an elite fraction of the car market.