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:

    Adverse safety consequences of under-inflation
    Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire pressures can cause the tires to flex severely and to rapidly become hot. A sharp in- crease in temperature could cause tread separation, and ...

    System maintenance
    Changing the batteries • Do not let dust, oil or water get on or in the remote engine start transmitter when replacing the battery. • Be careful not to damage the printed circuit board in the re ...

    Reclining the seatback
      WARNING To prevent the passenger from sliding under the seatbelt in the event of a collision, always put the seatback in the upright position while the vehicle is in motion. Also, do no ...