The Outside

I liked the outgoing Legacy. Its appearance — assertive up front, aggressive in profile — set it apart from a number of tubbier-looking competitors. Sadly, times have changed. The Legacy has caught up in girth, which Subaru says was in response to shoppers finding the last one too small. It isn't appreciably heavier by the numbers, but it no longer looks skinny, at least to my eyes.

The actual styling is a whole other affair. I see some Infiniti G37 up front, a Saab 9-5 in back and some Subaru Impreza along the sides. I find it not so much controversial — that can be a good thing — as simply overwrought, chaotic even. It's no worse than the Accord, another car stuck nursing wounds from the ugly stick. Decide for yourself about the Legacy's appeal, and drop me an email when you do.

    See also:

    ABS system self-check
    You may feel a slight shock in the brake pedal and hear the operating sound of ABS from the engine compartment just after the vehicle is started. This is caused by an automatic functional test of ...

    Select lever/gear position indicator
    1) Upshift/downshift indicator (AT and CVT models) This indicator shows the position of the shift lever (MT models) or select lever (AT and CVT models). ...

    Stowage of the cargo area cover
    The cargo area cover can be stowed in under the cargo floor. 1. To open the lid, pull the handle up. 2. To keep the lid open, hang the hook (provided on the back of the lid) on the rear edge o ...