NEW YORK — Consumers shopping in the midsize-sedan segment are being offered a detailed look at the redesigned 2010 Subaru Legacy, which will be officially introduced at the 2009 New York Auto Show. Subaru said it is aiming for a "high-tech look" with the redesign, and there are also some significant powertrain improvements.
Subaru of America spokesman Dominick Infante told Inside Line on Wednesday that the 2010 Legacy will go on sale at the end of summer. Pricing will be announced at the end of April. "Pricing will be pretty close to what we have now," he said.
The outgoing 2009 Legacy starts at $21,460, including a $665 destination charge.
The redesigned Legacy gets a new grille, a larger greenhouse and a shorter deck. The 2010 Legacy's wheelbase has been stretched to 108.3 inches, slotting it between the 2009 Toyota Camry and the 2009 Ford Fusion. The Camry has a 109.3-inch wheelbase, while the Fusion has a 107.4-inch wheelbase.
Subaru said the new Legacy is higher and wider than the outgoing model, "yielding gains in head, shoulder and hip room."
Subaru said the redesigned Legacy also gets one of the largest trunks in the segment at 14.7 cubic feet. However, both the Fusion and the Camry have more cargo volume. The 2009 Fusion's trunk volume is 15.8 cubic feet, while the trunk volume in the base 2009 Camry is 15.0 cubic feet.
The 2010 Legacy gets a new multi-information display with trip computer, a three-spoke steering wheel and a new electronic parking brake designed to free up space in the center console, said the automaker.
The 2010 Legacy 2.5i models have a revised 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine mated to a new six-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT is standard in the Legacy 2.5i Limited. The 2010 Legacy 2.5GT models get the revised 2.5-liter turbocharged engine based on the Subaru Impreza WRX. The engine is mated to the new six-speed manual transmission. Horsepower has been boosted to 265 versus 243 hp on the outgoing model. Subaru said the 2010 Legacy 2.5GT models can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds.
A new 3.6-liter H6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission replaces the Legacy's 3.0-liter H6. The 3.6 Boxer engine produces 256 hp and 247 pound-feet of torque versus 245 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque on the outgoing engine.
All-wheel drive remains standard on Legacy for 2010.
Inside Line says: Subaru tries to make inroads in the very crowded midsize sedan field with its 2010 Legacy. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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