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:

    Heating and defrosting
    Heating and defrosting To direct warm air toward the floor and the windshield: 1. Set the airflow control dial to the “” position. 2. Set the temperature control dial to the most comfortable level. ...

    Rear window side seating position
    1) Head restraint 2) Release button To raise: Pull the head restraint up. To lower: Push the head restraint down while pressing the release button on the top of the seatback. To remove: Whil ...

    Locking the doors
    Press the “” button to lock all doors and rear gate (Outback). An electronic chirp will sound once and the turn signal lights will flash once. If any of the doors (or the rear gate/trunk lid) i ...