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.

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    Manual tuning
    Type A and B audio Type C audio Turn the “TUNE/TRACK/CH” dial clockwise to increase the tuning frequency and turn the “TUNE/TRACK/CH” dial counterclockwise to decrease it. Each time the dial is tur ...

    Rocking the vehicle
    If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand, or mud, depress the accelerator pedal slightly and move the shift lever/select lever back and forth between “1”/“D” and “R” repeatedly. ...

    Trunk lid (4-door)
    • To prevent dangerous exhaust gas from entering the vehicle, always keep the trunk lid closed while driving. • Help prevent children, adults or animals from locking themselves in the trunk. On h ...