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:

    Use with a cigarette lighter (dealer option)
    To use the accessory power outlet as a cigarette lighter socket, purchase the cigarette lighter plug, which is an optional accessory. A cigarette lighter plug is available from your SUBARU de ...

    Ashtray (if equipped)
    • Do not use ashtrays as waste receptacles or leave a lighted cigarette in an ashtray. This could cause a fire. • Always extinguish matches and cigarettes before putting them into the ashtray, an ...

    Air inlet selection button
    Select airflow by pressing the air inlet selection button “”. ON position (recirculation): Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle. Press the air inlet selection button to the ON position ...