The redesigned Legacy gets a modern, aggressive look. Subaru's well-known grille with a wing-shaped crossbar and constellation symbol looks fresh when applied to the new body. The halogen headlights are angled toward the hood, and the front end itself is beefier. The old Legacy had a pointier front end; this new look is sporty and smart.

A lot of thought went into the sedan's rear, which makes me happy. I hate it when automakers don't pay attention to a car's backside. There are thoughtful creases and folds in the body to blend the trunk with the bumper and the rest of the car. Thank you, Subaru.

The doors were easy for my kids to open and close. Even though they're 5 and 7, doors can still be a problem with some cars. The trunk space is ample; it can easily hold a ton of groceries or a major haul from a trip to the mall. The trunk's opening is tapered a little on the sides, so if your stroller's long when folded you may want to bring it along on a test drive to ensure it'll fit back there. There are levers in the trunk that fold the 60/40-split rear seats into the cabin. Nice touch!

The 2010 Legacy doesn't have any backup sensors, and I'm actually happy about that. While it might seem hypocritical given our penchant for safety here at MotherProof.com, I find that I usually tune out the hyperactive, overzealous sensing systems. Without the annoying beeps and chimes, I just go slow and pay extra attention when in Reverse. I do like backup cameras, but the Legacy doesn't even offer one as an option. I missed having that extra insurance on the Legacy.

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair

Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample