The 2010 Subaru Legacy/Outback: An easy choice

Subaru, the Japanese automaker, has revamped its two intermediate models, the Legacy and the Outback, for 2010. Both versions have good sales figures, but neither quite lives up the competition’s updated models given that this category has seen innovation after innovation as manufacturers continue to improve their products.

Two vocations

The changes to the Legacy sedan and the Outback wagon appear largely successful. Personally, I prefer the Legacy. Its aggressive, sporty lines and more refined style do a lot for it. That said, neither of these two Subarus bears the brand’s traditional square design. The Outback still offers good ground clearance and a conservative style typical of most wagons in this category.

• Also: 2010 Subaru Legacy: Engineering Excellence

Dupond and Dupont

Inside, not much is different. Aside from some aesthetic details, like added colour insertions in the dashboard and new seat coverings, the two models we tested had identical interiors. The recent changes, however, included improved positioning of the controls and better fit and trim. The dash is more attractive and designed to make the interior seem bigger. The seats offer good support and are firm, but not unpleasantly so. As before, cold temperatures seem to affect the buttons and display, making the response time slow.

The Subaru line

For 2010, Subaru has done a small clean-up job in its line of models. For sedans (the Legacy), seven versions are available. Other than the basic versions with a 2.5-litre engine, you can opt for a PZEV version or two others with a 3.6-litre engine. The arrival of the Spec B seems imminent, which will be a significantly sportier product. Meanwhile, the wagon (the Outback) comes in 5 versions: one PZEV, two 2.5-litres and two 3.6-litres. Thus, the wagon version of the Legacy has been eliminated.

Handling

We tested these two Suburus in November, and although the mercury ranged from 5 and 10 degrees, both cars had trouble starting. It took several seconds to get the engine running, and, once it was going, the muffler spewed bluish smoke reminiscent of an awesome pyrotechnics show. It’s possible that the problem was just with the two models we tried, but I encountered the same problem last year with a different Legacy. It’s probably not a problem in all their cars, but this unsettling effect seems to only happen with Subarus.

Out on the highway, the Outback, with its 3.6-litre Boxer engine, performed superbly. The accelerations were more than enough to make the driver feel powerful. Start-ups were just as dynamic, and the Outback was in no way clumsy.
As for the Legacy, its handling was more docile and discreet. The 2.5-litre engine just doesn’t have the same power and performance as the 3.6-litre, but it still allows the Legacy to perform decently. That said, the sedan’s exterior makes you expect a more dynamic ride.

In terms of road handling, we observed two different situations. When driving the Outback, we noted that the suspension offered more generous clearance, which translates into a gentler and more cushiony ride. And yet, body roll is quite well controlled and there’s just the right amount of assistance to the steering. In contrast, the Legacy is has a firmer ride and its suspension lets the driver feel the road a little more. The low-profile tires contribute to the way it handles, which tends to be sharper and more direct. And obviously the suspension and steering are made more for sporty performance than for comfort.

The updates to these two models were entirely necessary, and Subaru has pulled it off brilliantly. The result is pleasing to the eye and effective on the road. The choice is simple; take the wagon or the sedan, whichever suits your needs. Both come with AWD and three choices of engines. And finally, both the Legacy and the Outback excel in our winter conditions and are available for a very affordable price.