The new powertrains and new rear suspension design combine to make the 2010 Legacy more engaging to drive than ever, yet with greater compliance and ride comfort, as well. As with all Subaru models, every Legacy is equipped with Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, an invaluable performance- and safety-enhancing system that sets Legacy apart among midsize sedans.  All-wheel drive is rare in the midsize segment, and only Subaru makes it standard.

New Engines, New Transmissions

• New 6-speed manual and Lineartronic CVT transmissions for Legacy 2.5i models


• New 265-hp turbo engine and 6-speed manual transmission for Legacy 2.5GT models


• New Legacy 3.6R models feature more powerful, more economical 6-cylinder engine


• New front cradle mount system and rear subframe


• New double-wishbone rear suspension


• Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system is standard.

Stronger Platform, New Suspension, New Brakes

The 2010 Legacy builds on the Subaru foundation of confident, agile handling and safety for any road, or any weather. The largest and roomiest Legacy ever, the 2010 model retains a taut exterior package for ease of maneuverability. The wheelbase grows to 2,750mm (108.3 inches), an 80mm (3.2 inch) increase, yet shorter overhang dimensions keep the length increase to just 35mm (1.4 inches), now 4,735mm (186.4 inches). The addition of high-tensile steel at key structural points increases body strength, which in turn improves crash-worthiness.

As a result of a careful and strict approach to structural strength and mass optimization, the 2010 Legacy models are larger, roomier, better-performing and better-equipped. The fuel tank is now 70 litres (18.5 gallons), up from 64 litres (16.9 gallons) in the previous Legacy.

New Front and Rear Subframes and New Double Wishbone Rear Suspension

New for 2010, the Legacy employs a front cradle mount system and rear subframe to enhance comfort, handling, and safety. The strut-type front suspension features L-shaped lower arms with liquid-filled rear bushings and anti-dive geometry. The new front cradle mount system is designed to also enhance frontal crash protection by helping to shunt the powertrain under the car in a strong impact and acts as a suspension crossmember.

The rear suspension is an all-new double-wishbone configuration, replacing the former multi-link arrangement. The rear suspension is mounted to a full subframe that is isolated from the body structure. The new double wishbone design provides improved ride and handling characteristics, as well as a wider and lower trunk space. Increased wheel travel and optimized suspension geometry also contribute to improved ride comfort.

The enhancement of body structure and the new suspension design help to reduce levels of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). Higher stiffness, quietness, and lower vibration were achieved by mounting all front suspension arms and links to the cradle mount system, and rear suspension arms and links to the rear subframe.

All Legacy models feature engine-speed sensing variable power-assist steering with a quicker ratio (14.5:1 vs. 16.5:1 in the 2009 models). Legacy 2.5i and PZEV feature 16-inch wheels (alloy on PZEV); the 2.5GT is exclusively equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/45R18 tires, and the 3.6R has 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/50R17 tires.

4-Wheel Disc ABS with Brake Assist

All Legacy models are equipped with standard disc brakes on all four wheels. Legacy 2.5i and PZEV use (294mm (11.6 inch) front ventilated discs and 286mm (11.3 inch) solid rear discs; the 2.5GT and 3.6R are equipped with 316mm (12.4 inch) ventilated front discs and 290mm (11.4 inch) ventilated rear discs. As on other Subaru models, the braking system uses a tie rod tandem brake booster that greatly improves rigidity and brake feel. The standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) is a 4-channel, 4-sensor system. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist further enhance braking performance.

Three Levels of Engine Performance

The Legacy for 2010 offers three levels of performance. The Legacy 2.5i and PZEV are powered by a revised 170-hp 2.5-litre 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine. On the 2.5i, a new standard 6-speed manual transmission replaces the 5-speed transmission. The new Lineartronic CVT is standard on PZEV and optional on the 2.5i, and includes a manual mode. Both transmissions help to improve acceleration, response and fuel economy. Legacy 2.5i models equipped with the CVT transmission offer an outstanding 9.2 L/100 km city/6.5 L/100 km highway (23 mpg city/31 mpg highway) EPA rating.

The Legacy 2.5GT makes a leap in performance for 2010. The 2.5GT is powered by a new 265-hp turbocharged/intercooled Boxer engine. This high-performance turbocharged engine is mated with a new 6-speed manual transmission, which is lighter than the 6-speed unit used in the 2009 Legacy 2.5GT spec.B. Designed for the discerning enthusiast, the Legacy 2.5GT is equipped to challenge some of the best names in the sport sedan field.

The new Legacy 3.6R offers a sophisticated blend of performance and comfort, powered by a new 256-hp 3.6-litre 6-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine matched to a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT and blipping control for smooth downshifts. Compared to the 3.0-litre 6-cylinder engine it replaces, the more powerful 3.6 engine has a similar external size, and uses regular-grade fuel.



Revised 2.5-litre Boxer Engine with New 6-Speed Manual or New CVT

The 2010 Legacy 2.5i and PZEV are powered by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine, modified for 2010 to improve performance, responsiveness, and economy. The engine delivers 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. The i-Active Valve Lift System (AVLS) ensures a broad torque curve and smooth response at all engine speeds, while also helping to improve fuel efficiency. All Legacy engines for 2010 are equipped with iridium-tipped sparkplugs and direct ignition.

Whether teamed with the new 6-speed manual transmission or the Lineartronic CVT, the roomier 2010 Legacy provides quicker acceleration than comparable 2009 Legacy models. Either transmission helps make the Legacy 2.5i more responsive in everyday driving. The CVT's fuel economy is better than some comparable front-wheel drive 4-cylinder midsize models. In fact, the Legacy 2.5i CVT now exhibits better fuel economy (EPA combined) than such front-wheel-drive competitors such as Honda Accord, Mazda6, VW Passat and Hyundai Sonata. With higher fuel economy ratings and a larger fuel tank, Legacy's functional driving range has been significantly improved.

Subaru has adopted a chain-type CVT, the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT system for AWD production vehicles. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, which uses fixed gear ratios, a CVT provides infinite variability between the highest and lowest available ratios with no discernable steps or shifts. The CVT continuously and smoothly adapts to performance demand, helping to keep the engine in its most efficient operating range.

A selectable manual mode uses six pre-selected ratios to allow the driver to "shift" manually using steering wheel paddle controls. The driver selects "M" mode with the centre console-mounted shift lever. In "D" mode, the driver can temporarily engage "M" mode by using the paddle shifters; the CVT will return to "D" mode after a short interval.

Legacy 2.5GT: 265 Turbocharged Horses

The new-generation 2010 Legacy 2.5GT offers a significant boost in performance, adopting a revised 2.5-litre turbocharged/intercooled 4-cylinder Boxer engine with a new turbocharger/ intercooler arrangement. Teamed with the new 6-speed manual transmission, the new, more powerful engine achieves an improved EPA fuel economy rating of 11.5 L/100 km city/8.0 L/100 km highway (18 mpg city/25 mpg highway). 

A larger intercooler improves cooling efficiency of the compressed air, and a new exhaust uses a low-density catalyst for reduced backpressure and is positioned much closer to the exhaust for reduced emissions. To reduce turbo spool times, the turbocharger is now mounted below the engine, next to the exhaust manifolds. The new engine achieves maximum turbo boost pressure 30 percent quicker than the 2009 model.  It produces 265 hp at 5,600 rpm and sustains 258 lb.-ft. of peak torque from 2,000-5,200 rpm (compared to 243 hp at 6,000 rpm and 241 lb.-ft. at 3,600 rpm in the previous 2.5GT).

The 2010 Legacy 2.5GT can accelerate from zero to 100km (60 mph) in under six seconds, and the driver will feel substantially more responsive performance in all driving situations.

3.6-litre 6-Cylinder Boxer Engine: Premium Performance with Regular-Grade Fuel

The new 3.6-litre 6-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine (which was first introduced in the Tribeca) replaces the previous 3.0-litre Boxer, yet features similar external dimensions thanks primarily to a unique shortened connecting rod design. Not only does the 3.6 offer greater performance and lower emissions than the previous 3.0-litre unit, but does so using regular-grade fuel while achieving better fuel efficiency.

The 3.6 Boxer engine produces 256 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 247 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,400 rpm, compared to 245 hp at 6,600 rpm and 215 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm for the previous 3.0-litre engine. Notably, the 3.6 engine sustains at least 225 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,000 to 6,000 rpm, making a Legacy 3.6R model feel exceptionally smooth and responsive in everyday driving.

Although based on the same architecture as the 3.0-litre Boxer 6-cylinder engine, the new 3.6-litre unit is thoroughly re-engineered and features lighter, lower-friction pistons, a significantly revised valvetrain, and a new cooling system. To raise displacement from 3.0 litres (2,999 cc) to 3.6 litres (3,630 cc), cylinder bore diameter was increased from 89.2mm to 92mm, and the stroke length was increased from 80mm to 91mm.

The dual Active Valve Control System (AVCS) optimizes the engine's valve timing for improved volumetric efficiency and emissions performance throughout the rev range by adjusting camshaft cam phasing for both the intake and exhaust. (The 3.0 engine used AVCS on the intake camshaft only and featured a variable valve-lift system.)

The 3.6-litre engine features a new camshaft chain-drive system that helps make it quieter and more efficient, and enhances long-term durability. A reduction chain drives separate cam-drive chains for each side of the engine, eliminating the single, longer chain used in the 3.0 engine, thereby reducing chain tension and the need for idlers. A smaller pitch reduces shock when the chain meshes with the sprocket. The sprocket shape is optimized to reduce vibration, which also helps to reduce the chain-meshing sound.

Numerous additional details also contribute to the 6-cylinder Boxer engine's smooth and responsive performance, including revised crankshaft journal castings, new square-tip spark plugs and an external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. As before, the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system ensures smooth throttle response and also helps to optimize fuel consumption and emissions.

The common rail-type cooling system was instrumental in allowing the change to regular fuel. By distributing coolant to the block and the heads individually, the new system allows for increased engine efficiency and standardized timing for all cylinders.

The specially tuned 5-speed automatic transmission, combined with the greater torque output of the new engine, helps make the Legacy 3.6R more responsive when driving in hilly areas by significantly reducing "hunting" between gears. Improved downshift timing and downshift "blipping" control round out changes for 2010. Legacy 3.6R achieve improved EPA fuel economy over 2009 models of 11.8 L/100km city/8.2 L/100km highway (18mpg city/25mpg highway). Coupled with the larger fuel tank, this contributes to longer driving range than before.

Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive Standard on Every Subaru

An all-wheel drive pioneer, Subaru is the only brand to equip all its models with Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is comprised of the Boxer engine and the full-time power distribution system, which varies by model and transmission. The aluminum Subaru Boxer engine and simple, symmetrical drivetrain layout help to lower the centre of gravity, which in turn contributes to handling precision. Subaru began offering 4-wheel drive passenger cars over 35 years ago and introduced innovative automatic full-time All-Wheel Drive in 1987. In 1997, Subaru became the first brand in North America to make all-wheel drive standard on all its models. 

Subaru offers three different Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive systems in the 2010 Legacy line, depending on engine and type of transmission. In 2.5i models equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission (and 2.5GT), the Continuous version of Symmetrical AWD uses a viscous-coupling locking centre differential to distribute power 50/50 front to rear. Slippage at either set of wheels will send more power to the opposite set.

Legacy 2.5i models with the Lineartronic CVT use the electronically controlled Multi-plate transfer clutch (MPT) limited slip centre differential version of Symmetrical AWD. In this system, an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively manages power distribution based on acceleration, deceleration, and available traction. The MPT system automatically balances power 50/50 front to rear if slippage should occur.

Legacy 3.6R models are equipped with the advanced Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with a 5-speed automatic transmission. A planetary gear centre differential works with an electronically controlled, continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch to manage power distribution. The VTD system normally sends more power to the rear wheels to enhance handling agility, and it continuously adjusts power distribution in response to driving and road conditions.

Vehicle Dynamics Control

All Legacy models for 2010 are equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), which combines stability and traction control capability. The 2010 Legacy adopts an enhanced VDC system featuring integrated lateral-g and yaw sensors.

VDC monitors input from the ABS system, steering wheel angle, yaw and lateral g-force sensors. The system adjusts individual wheel braking as needed, helping to maintain vehicle control under a variety of driving conditions. A VDC "off" switch is useful for driving out of slushy roads, deep snow or gravel. The "off" position fully deactivates the system.

In Legacy models with the CVT or 5-speed automatic transmission, VDC also actively controls the centre differential's power distribution by means of the continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch. Ultra-high-speed communication between the engine and transmission systems over the onboard LAN makes this possible.

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CONTACT: Elaine Griffin or Jen Giller  (905) 568-4959 

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