2009 Subaru Legacy Review

The 2009 Subaru Legacy is the Subaru midsize, competing with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Equivalent American cars include the Dodge Avenger and Ford Fusion. The Legacy starts at $20,795, somewhat on the high side of the class, but not out of reason.

The base engine on the Legacy is a four cylinder 2.5 liter with 175 horsepower that gets 20 miles to the gallon city and 26 miles to the gallon highway. It comes with either a four speed automatic or a five speed manual transmission. There is also a turbocharged version that generates 243 horsepower and gets either 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway or 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, depending on whether it has the five speed manual or a five speed automatic transmission.

The new 3.0 R Limited comes with a 3 liter flat-six with 245 horsepower, which has only a five speed automatic transmission available. It gets 17 miles per gallon in town and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. All versions of the Legacy are all wheel drive.

Changes to Legacy looks are not major, but the station wagons were dropped in favor of the Outbacks. There are five trim models, in ascending order: Special Edition, Limited, GT Limited, GT Spec. B and 3.0 R Limited, the last being a new package. Of course, the higher the model, the higher the price and the more goodies that come standard.

Speaking of goodies, the Subaru has its fair share available. These include power moonroof, automatic off four-beam halogen headlights and heated power mirrors on the outside. Inside there are four-stage heated bucket seats with eight-way adjustment for the driver and four-way for the passenger. Power everything is also available, of course, including one touch driver control windows.

There is an available Harman-Kardon premium audio system with a 385 watt amplifier/equalizer, eight speakers and a subwoofer. Of course the Legacy has leather upholstery and a leather wrapped gearshift knob and steering wheel available, but it also has a leather wrapped parking brake handle, a nice touch.

The Legacy comes with excellent NHTSA safety ratings - five star everywhere except a four star rollover. Safety features available include airbags everywhere, anti-lock brakes, the LATCH system for child safety seats, inside trunk release and tire pressure monitoring system. There is also the Safety Brake Pedal System, designed to help avoid leg injury by giving way in a crash.

As you would expect from Subaru, the 2009 Subaru Legacy is a solid offering, worth the money. It deserves a look from anyone interested in a midsize car.