2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT - New Turbocharged Power

Subaru has launched an all new fifth generation Legacy. With the new design Subaru aimed to create a vehicle in a loaded market that will turn heads, and that is not an easy thing to do. They accomplished this primarily through the Legacy's powertrain, a new turbo-charged 2.5-liter boxer-4. Subaru lost some customers in the past when the other Legacy competitors in the segment started offering more interior space, edging ever so closely to full-size car status. So the new Legacy has improved cabin size and has larger dimensions in just about every direction. With the 2010 Legacy GT, Subaru is offering a driving experience and exterior design that can't be found anywhere near this price point.

To compete squarely against all-wheel-drive sedans like the Audi A4 2.0T and BMW 325xi, Subaru has come up with a meaner, more muscular look, increased the package's overall dimensions, redesigned the suspension system, rebuilt the engine and turbo and even added some high-tech gadgetry like a radar-controlled cruise control unit. The new GT has incredible street presence. The 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT will start at $27,995 for the premium model with its 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels, P225/45R18 summer tires, chrome exhaust tips and all-weather package. The 2.5GT Limited will have a starting price of $29,995, including its black-and-white seat upholstery, power-adjustable driver seat and Harman Kardon audio system.

Legacy GT Power and Drive

 Powered by a fully revised, turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-4, the Legacy 2.5GT makes 265 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, a sizable jump from the previous engine's 256 hp. The  2.5 GT Premium trim featured an incredibly fast, 265-hp turbocharged/intercooled four-cylinder. This is the same engine that's found in the WRX sports hatchback and, considering that the larger, 3.6-liter V-6 offered in the Legacy is only rated at 256 hp, it's the most powerful engine you can buy in terms of horsepower alone. This new engine might employ its predecessor's engine block, but every other component is new, including the piston design, cylinder heads, cam profiles, intake manifold and electronically controlled throttle.

The 2.5 GT is one of the most thrilling options in the mid-size segment. Like other turbocharged Subarus, the revs climb up to the red line quickly. The new Legacy is bigger and heavier than the outgoing model, but the heavier weight does not necessarily affect the drive. The power delivery is linear and strong, with maximum torque coming on tap as low as 2,000 rpm and staying on the boil to 5,500 rpm. The Legacy's five-speed automatic devours shift commands from the polished-aluminum shift paddles with almost no shift shock. A retuned blipping control on the downshifts also expedites seamless entry into corners, which allows you to focus on smoother braking and a more precise turn into the apex. The new rear wishbones counteract unwanted camber fluctuations, producing prodigious levels of grip. And that equals quicker, more stable cornering. Surprisingly, ride quality has also improved, especially for rear-seat passengers. A six-speed manual is also available.

Design of the Legacy

 The new Legacy sedan looks taller and bigger all around with its substantially modified sheet metal. It's also bigger under the skin, some 3.7 inches longer, 2 inches wider and 3.1 inches higher, and the wheelbase has stretched by 3.1 inches. Meanwhile, the curb weight has only risen by 44 pounds.  The Legacy GT is not the most exciting design you'll find in the segment, but it certainly has some redeeming qualities that are worth mentioning. The high shoulder line of the vehicle is strong and straight, with a small character line that tilts in toward the windows, giving it a dignified stance. Even the small kink at the rear window emulates the famous BMW "Hofmeister kink" that the propeller brand made famous. The previous Legacy had a muted version of this design element, but this new model seems to show it off more. Overall from the side and rear, you get the sense that this is both a practical and straightforward design. Up front the growling hood scoop and sculpted, angry headlight lenses carry a message: watch out.

Subaru Legacy GT Cabin

The increased dimensions of the GT translate directly into more leg and hip room, especially in the rear seat. The interior feels more luxurious thanks to higher-quality materials that include the leather seats and plastics, while the front seats have grown in height by 2.3 inches, offering better back support to taller drivers. The dash layout is simple yet functional. One other addition to the Legacy's makeup is a radar cruise control system that, when switched on, locks onto the car ahead and regulates brakes and throttle response accordingly, especially effective in heavy traffic.

Conclusions

When you take a quick walkaround the 2010 Legacy GT, it's easy to see that stylists had challenges incorporating the new bigger dimensions. By far the most obvious modification is the overall height of the car and the thicker-looking front end. With the hood about 3.7 inches taller than before to accommodate more stringent regulations for pedestrian safety in crashes, the designers have had to wrap the headlights around the front end. The aggressively flared wheel arches and neatly penned tail section are by far the car's best design features. On the road, the Legacy feels even more planted than before, largely thanks to the new SI (Subaru Intelligent) chassis concept, which was introduced by the Impreza. This new Legacy is meant to be a breakthrough vehicle for Subaru, a legitimate rival for the world's best sedans. Since Subaru seems to be enjoying relative success in America as its rivals fade in a declining economy, it might be that the company will be able to escape its niche-market identity at last. How the market takes to the Legacy's quirky new exterior might just hold the key to the Legacy's success.