Has the 2010 Subaru Legacy Moved Into German Territory?

I just hope they still make the wagon version.

Upon further thought, I'd be more comfortable with using "Jaguar" and "Audi" in the same sentence, but that may be just wishful thinking.

Here's the problem: Lyon tested the JDM model, which comes with a bunch of stuf the US-spec doesn't.

Worse still, SoA (Subaru of America) has de-contented the 2010 Legacy and Outback in order to get a lower MSRP. Items that we no longer get include:

• Folding outside mirrors gone (this is REALLY stupid!)

• Turn signals in the mirrors gone

• SI-Drive gone

• Fewer intermittent wiper speeds (8 to 4 speeds)

• Fewer heated seat settings (4 to 2 settings)

• A number of previously standard items are now optional. Moonroof and fog lamps on the Limited models, for example.

Also, the JDM model offers radar cruise control, something we don't get.

So, yeah, the JDM Legacy might be able to compete with the 3-Series, whereas the the US-spec Legacy won't, because it lacks the features needed to do so.

Another MIA item with the new Legacy is a padded dashboard. It's now hard plastic, just like the material used in my '09 WRX.

That doesn't speak to the BMW, et al. crowd.

Want a wagon? Then settle for an Outback—or move outside the USA.

I don't think it needs any of those features to compete.

A lot of people like a moonroof to be an option.

Fog lamps serve no purpose.

I live in a city where drizzle is a normal weather condition but I never use more then 2 or 3 of the intermittent wiper speeds. 8 is meaningless.

Turn signals in the mirrors are a minor safety feature at best.

I don't remember anyone praising SI-drive.

Unless you're driving a pick up truck, I can't see when you would ever need to fold in the mirrors.

Whether or not it can compete with BMW and Audi will come down to how it drives, not how many gadgets it has.

If Chevy put all those features on the Cobalt, would it compete with the 3 series?

"Want a wagon? Then settle for an Outback—or move outside the USA."

Already live outside the US. We still get the wagon here in Canada. I'm just hoping we still get it when the 2010 model comes out.

They already reduced the number wagon models here even though Legacy wagons still outsell the sedans.

Outbacks cost more and I don't see any advantage to it.

"Unless you're driving a pick up truck, I can't see when you would ever need to fold in the mirrors."

Just walking through a tight parking lot. I broke off a car's (fixed) mirror just doing so. After that I swore I would never own another car with fixed, non-folding mirrors.

Folding mirrors give in those situations. Fixed mirrors just break off.

_______

"If Chevy put all those features on the Cobalt, would it compete with the 3 series?"

You're missing my point. BMW is an upscale brand in which you expect those little extra niceties. If the Legacy (still) had those features it would stand a better chance of competing with the 3-Series. Now that job is just that much harder.

They took stuff away from the car—never a good idea when introducing an all-new model. Subaru and Legacy fans on sites like NASIOC and LegacyGT.com are absolutely livid at that fact.

This same story is repeated every time a new or updated Legacy comes out, and it's never turns out to be the case. Pretty sure it's not going to happen this time either Subaru. Sweet dreams.

Don't get me wrong. I DO like the new Legacy, but I can't help but feel just a bit disappointed, knowing what I know about this car.

They did everything but frost the cake—and I like frosting. :)

So everything you wrote about the engine doesn't apply to the US version?

Kind of takes the edge of the review don't you think?

rsholland

OK, I can see your point. I guess I was just looking at it from the way I see Audis and BMWs.

I love them for the way they drive, the feel and the machinery. To me all the gadgets just add cost and weight.

When someone compares a car to a 3 series, I think of an excellent driving experience.... not how many settings are on the heated seats.

I leave that stuff to Lexus and Mercedes.

bankerdanny

Not sure what you're referring to? The JDM Legacy GT does put out more power than the US-spec model, but I think that's because better gas is available in Japan, and the engines are tuned as such.

firstwagon

Well, a lot of people (maybe not you) who do shop BMWs, etc., are looking for gadgets. In their minds, that's a big part of what separates premium cars from mainstream cars.

Not all those customers are into the driving experience. BMW just happens to marry a nice mix of gadgets and the driving experience into one very appealing package. The JDM Legacy does the same; not so much so for the US-spec Legacy, which suffers a bit on the gadget end.

...the only features missing imo worth making note of are the folding mirrors, LSD, and no automatic GT. Things like laser cruise control (generally a lux item in N.America) heated seat settings don't matter in the long run. The mistake imo is believing that the Legacy is a true 3-series competitor...it isn't, there a single trim the compares favorably. However, overall the Legacy is outclassed by pretty much outclassed not only by the 3-series but its main competitors as well.

...this doesn't make the Legacy any less desirable imo, but it simply isn't the true 3 fighter some are hoping it would be. While the lack of features that were previously standard is annoying, the core of the car appears to be pretty much the same if not much improved. That is what matters right?

"Relocated Turbo Packs a Punch
Powered by a fully revised, turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-4, the Japanese-market Legacy B4 2.5GT makes 281 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, a sizable jump from the previous engine's 256 hp. Torque rises to 258 pound-feet between 2,000 and 5,600 rpm."

rsholland, see above. My point is that the "sizeable jump" is for JDM cars, not US, so why should I care? Is the Japanese HP rating calculated differently from US (DIN vs SAE perhaps)? The Subaru USA website says the 2009 Legacy GT makes 243hp/241 lbs-ft torque, so the HP increase would be 38 (16%).

The review further states "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." This is for the car with 25 (38?)more HP than the one we will get. Comparing the JDM spec GT engine to the current US spec is apples to oranges.

The chassis comments are worth while, but engine experience offers absolutely nothing of value to a US buyer.

The US-spec 2010 Legacy GT puts out 265 hp, the same as the new WRX, and more than the '09 Legacy GT. I know the turbo has been moved down low and in front of the engine. Other than that, I believe the engine is pretty much the same as the '09 WRX engine.

As to JDM Legacy GTs, I do know that higher octane gas is available over there, so perhaps the engines are tuned to run on that gas, hence the higher hp numbers of those cars?