When someone says Subaru, most people think about the quirky little go anywhere outback wagon, Subaru’s best selling automobile. When you go to a Subaru dealer, in the lot you will find many outbacks for sale, but most people forget about the fine selection of sedans. Some would call them quirky too, with four wheel drive and boxer engines. Really they are nice looking cars that are very functional with most of the modern accessories that everyone has come to expect. I tested a 2011 Subaru Legacy sedan and was pleasantly surprised.
The Legacy sedan that I tested had a 170hp boxer engine mated to a Lineartronic®CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Fuel millage is EPA rated at 31mph highway and 23mph city, the owners of the car I tested are claiming about 25 miles per gallon, most of it city and fast freeway driving. The transmission is very smooth, you can not even feel it shift like a conventional automatic transmission. The acceleration is good, not great, but then again it is not a performance vehicle. The inside is appointed nicely, all controls are easy to find and use. The dash layout was inspired by the award winning Tribeca dash design. Its not the same, but it shows the influence. The ride is nice, but not up to the level of a luxury car. The high stance and all wheel drive contribute to a little stiffer ride. Symmetric all wheel drive is standard and is good in the snow and it works great when the freeways get slick with heavy rain.
My final thoughts on the Legacy sedan. There are other cars that have all wheel drive, but most are either large sport utility vehicles or luxury touring sedans. Mercedes and Cadillac make a large number of their sedans with all wheel drive but they are more than double the price. The Legacy tested listed at about $22,000. Subarus are known for there quality, dependability, and high resale value. If you would like a smaller family sedan with all the safety and most of the features of a luxury touring car the Legacy sedan might be for you . I know one family close to me that likes there new Subaru sedan very much.
Sources: 2011 Legacy sedan
Continuously Variable Transmission
Tribeca