The triumvirate
Once again, the lineup consists in three trim levels, all powered by a separate engine. The Legacy 2.5i uses the same naturally-aspirated, 4-cylinder boxer as in 2010. The base variant comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, whereas the higher-end Convenience, Sport and Limited packages benefit from the Lineartronic CVT.
If you gauge prestige by the number of cylinders, then the 6-cylinder boxer (shared with the Tribeca crossover) may be for you. In the Legacy 3.6R, it teams up with a traditional 5-speed autobox.
The ultimate Legacy is called 2.5GT and boasts a turbocharged version of the 2.5L 4-pot that produces 265 horsepower and 258 pounds-foot of torque (vs. 170 hp/170 lb-ft for the 2.5i model and 256 hp/247 lb-ft for the 3.6R). It targets performance enthusiasts and driving purists, especially with a 6-speed stick.
Some new little tricks
While the architecture and overall design stay identical, the 2011 Subaru Legacy still has some new little tricks up its sleeves. One of them is the 2.5i Convenience Package, which slots right above the base model and offers the PZEV option for $700. The 2.5 Sport receives fog lights as standard.
Company spokesmen confirmed during a presentation near Quebec City that, sometime in 2011, the 2,457-cc engine of the Legacy 2.5i will be replaced by the Forester's new 2,498-cc 4-cylinder.
Elsewhere, the Legacy 2.5GT now features silver stitching, simulated carbon fibre and aluminum pedals, not to mention fog lights.
Once again, Subaru Canada chose not to offer a 5-door Legacy, leaving the Outback to cater to wagon buyers.
Once again, the lineup consists in three trim levels, all powered by a separate engine. The Legacy 2.5i uses the same naturally-aspirated, 4-cylinder boxer as in 2010. The base variant comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, whereas the higher-end Convenience, Sport and Limited packages benefit from the Lineartronic CVT.
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| The Lineartronic CVT offers a manual mode with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. (Photo: Subaru) |
If you gauge prestige by the number of cylinders, then the 6-cylinder boxer (shared with the Tribeca crossover) may be for you. In the Legacy 3.6R, it teams up with a traditional 5-speed autobox.
The ultimate Legacy is called 2.5GT and boasts a turbocharged version of the 2.5L 4-pot that produces 265 horsepower and 258 pounds-foot of torque (vs. 170 hp/170 lb-ft for the 2.5i model and 256 hp/247 lb-ft for the 3.6R). It targets performance enthusiasts and driving purists, especially with a 6-speed stick.
Some new little tricks
While the architecture and overall design stay identical, the 2011 Subaru Legacy still has some new little tricks up its sleeves. One of them is the 2.5i Convenience Package, which slots right above the base model and offers the PZEV option for $700. The 2.5 Sport receives fog lights as standard.
Company spokesmen confirmed during a presentation near Quebec City that, sometime in 2011, the 2,457-cc engine of the Legacy 2.5i will be replaced by the Forester's new 2,498-cc 4-cylinder.
Elsewhere, the Legacy 2.5GT now features silver stitching, simulated carbon fibre and aluminum pedals, not to mention fog lights.
Once again, Subaru Canada chose not to offer a 5-door Legacy, leaving the Outback to cater to wagon buyers.
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| The modern-looking dashboard has way more flair than what we used to see from Subaru. (Photo: Subaru) |