Autoblog

Subaru tweaks Legacy and Outback for 2013, kills off 2.5GT

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:24:00 EST

The launch of the new XV Crosstrek may be the bigger news for Subaru here at the New York Auto Show, and the BRZ coupe may still be getting the lion's share of the attention, but the Legacy and its high-riding counterpart, the Outback, have also debuted here in Manhattan with a series of updates.

Most noticeable (that term being a relative one) is the pair's revised front fascia, but behind the new look is a fresh boxer four that replaces the old one in the 2.5i model, now producing three more horsepower and four more pound-feet of torque (173 hp/174 lb-ft.) while returning improved fuel economy. An updated CVT is the principal transmission for the 2.5-liter four, with a six-speed manual available, both driving all four wheels in typical Fuji Heavy Industries style. The available 3.6-liter flat six carries over with a five-speed automatic. Subaru says it has also revisited the suspensions on both models for improved ride comfort and performance.

There's also a suite of new electronics packed into the revised Legacy and Outback, including everything from new active safety technology features like lane departure warning and collision mitigation to improved audio system connectivity.

Sadly, Subaru has axed the enthusiast-minded Legacy 2.5GT model for 2013.

Continue reading Subaru tweaks Legacy and Outback for 2013, kills off 2.5GT

Subaru tweaks Legacy and Outback for 2013, kills off 2.5GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: California livin'

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Long-Term Garage

It's been about a month since the long-term Subaru Legacy 2.5GT arrived in Northern California, and as the weather slowly turned south, my opinion of our burgundy sled has improved. Dramatically.

Transitioning from a German compact into a near-luxury sedan from Japan (both within $1,000 of each other, oddly enough) has proven to be an eye-opening experience - but not in the way you'd think. Maybe I'm just biased towards the staid interior stylings from Deutschland, but the Legacy's insides came off as overwrought and sub-par when compared to the Jetta MK5 TDI Cup Street Edition. The materials didn't exude the same level of quality and while fit-and-finish is certainly above board, it still lacks the high-end tactility I enjoyed in the Volkswagen. Plus, the experience behind the wheel has felt heavy and ponderous after living with the Jetta for the better part of four months.

This opinion lasted right up until the first monsoon. I was driving north on 580 when the world went blurry. Traffic was crawling along, but with the wipers set to meth-head speed, I was able to plow through the storm with confidence. As the weeks have worn on, I've grown fond of the Legacy's added heft and all-wheel drive - there's just something inherently comforting about piloting a heavyweight down the road - not to mention sending power to all four wheels. That said, it's far from a fair weather driver's car. The suspension is too floaty, the seats are far too flat and the shifter is far too floppy. However, that last bit we'll be dealing with soon.

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: California livin' originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Heading to shop for recall inspection

John Neff — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Recalls, Subaru, Long-Term Garage

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Truth be told, our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT has been running like a top from day one with not a single issue arising that has required a trip to the dealer for repair. We did get her oil changed around 5,000 miles, though we had to skip the dealer experience since we were pressed for time and they couldn't squeeze us in on short notice. But there are some recalls in effect for the 2010 Legacy, three to be exact, so we made our first appointment at Ganley Westside Subaru in North Olmsted, OH to have our 2.5GT inspected.

Kudos to Ganley for making the experience as painless as possible, as well as accommodating a very late cancellation and rescheduling. Upon arrival, they took the keys and put our 2.5GT in the air on one of six lifts in their service area.

Of the three recalls in effect for the Subaru Legacy, only one affects our particular car. It's for a bundle of wires in the steering column that could crack and cause certain functions to stop working. If that happened, the problem could manifest itself as the horn not working or something more severe like the driver's front airbag failing to deploy in an accident.

Our car was inspected and deemed roadworthy with no repair needed. The dealership also let us know that Subaru Service Program WVP26 affects our car. Apparently some units were shipped with cracked covers for their anti-lock braking ECU modules, so the action has dealers inspect and replace the affected part if needed. Again, ours was looked at and showed no such issues.

We were in and out in less than an hour and the total cost was $0, so our trip to the dealer went off without a hitch and our long-term Legacy carries on trouble-free. Stay tuned for a report on what we did during our summer vacation with the long-term Legacy, which included logging over 2,000 miles traveling through a beautiful part of the country that's absolutely obsessed with crab.

- 7,906 miles

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: First trip to the dealer

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Heading to shop for recall inspection originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Rise of the MPGs

John Neff — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Long-Term Garage

Since I took the keys for our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT from fellow editor Chris Paukert, I've managed to squeeze in a number of long drives. This has given me a perfect chance to observe the Legacy 2.5GT's fuel economy in ideal conditions. The Environmental Protection Agency rates our Legacy model and its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder at 18 mpg in the city, 25 on the highway and 21 mpg combined. As you can see above, our experience over the last three full fill-ups beat the estimates with room to spare.

Mind you, I've spent most of my time with the Legacy cruising comfortably on the highway, and Paukert, who lives in a decidedly more urban setting, assures me that the MPGs fall fast in the city. Also, remember that the Legacy 2.5GT requires premium fuel, and I spent between $44 and $46 to fill up its 18.5-gallon fuel tank with 93 Octane that cost about $2.80/gallon.

Still, my last fill-up showed the car achieved an honest-to-goodness 27 mpg over 426 miles, which is 6 mpg better than the EPA's combined estimate and 2 mpg better than its highway estimate. And the engine appears to be gaining efficiency as we continue to break it in.

The wife and I are gearing up for a road trip with the Legacy that will add well over 2,000 miles to its odo. We'll keep track of the fuel economy we see and report back to see if Autoblog's first long-term car can keep this surprisingly good performance up.

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Rise of the MPGs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STI-tuned Subaru Legacy B4 2.5GT tS released in Japan

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:36:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Japan, Subaru

Subaru Legacy B4 2.5GT tS - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've grown quite fond of our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT over the past few months, but we can't help but be somewhat jealous of the STI-tuned Legacy that's just been released in Japan. Subaru's in-house tuning department has laid hands on the new-for-2010 Legacy sedan (and the not-for-U.S. wagon!) to create the B4 2.5GT tS, which features a host of cosmetic and dynamic enhancements, even though the turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer remains unchanged.

Visually, the tS (which stands for "Tuned by STI") gets a new front lip spoiler, as well as a subtle deckled spoiler out back (fixed to the roof on wagon models). New 18-inch alloys wrapped in 225/45-series rubber sit at the corners and appropriate badging is applied all around. Inside, there's a revised instrument cluster, sport seats, carbon trim, a leather-wrapped STI steering wheel and, of course, STI branding on the shifter and floor mats.

Where the tS gets good, however, is in its performance upgrades, which include a sport exhaust system, a more robust Bilstein suspension, and new strut tower bars. Because the turbocharged flat-four keeps its stock output - 265 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque - this hotted-up Legacy won't be any quicker on the street. The other tweaks should make it even more poised during sporty driving, though.

While this may seem like just another juicy piece of Forbidden Fruit, we're sure that STI has upgrades for the U.S.-spec Legacy in the pipeline. (Please!) Scroll through the gallery below to see the Legacy tS's upgrades in detail.

Gallery: Subaru Legacy B4 2.5GT tS

[Source: Subaru via Carscoop]

STI-tuned Subaru Legacy B4 2.5GT tS released in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Backwards E-brake

John Neff — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Subaru, Long-Term Garage

Long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Executive Editor Paukert has already complained about one button located on the panel to the left of the steering wheel in our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT. But now that the keys have traded hands and I've got a beef to share about a different button.

The electronic parking brake is the biggest "button" in the cluster, but it's not so much a button as a push/pull-type switch. Fitted with a manual transmission, we tend to set the parking brake every time we exit the car, so the switch gets a lot of use.

However, Subaru has set up the switch in the exact opposite orientation you'd expect. Every time I go to set the parking brake, I pull it. Every time I go to turn it off, I push it. Unfortunately, it works the other way around. I think what's going on is that my muscle memory is trying to replicate what I would do with a more traditional parking brake lever, i.e. pull to set, push to release. I suppose someone could argue the exact opposite, that pushing to engage and pulling to release makes total sense (because that's how the door on a microwave works?), but we've heard from other late-model Subaru owners that this switch is a source of frustration for them as well, and many other vehicles that we've driven with similar e-brake levers work in the opposite fashion.

For now, we must remember that in this digital age of ours, new technology doesn't necessarily mimic its analog counterpart, which means I'm stuck pulling when I should pushing until my brain decides to relent.

CLICK HERE to check out all of the updates on our long-term 2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT.

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Backwards E-brake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: May 2010

Chris Paukert — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Long-Term Garage

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT long-termer has over 4,000 miles on it now, and it's broken in nicely. The six-speed cable shifter has freed up nominally (it's still a bit notchy), and the turbocharged flat-four is singing as sweetly as ever.

As we mentioned earlier, we're pleased to note that Subaru has already begun making some nominal tweaks to the 2.5GT to make it a bit more special, particularly in the area of cabin furnishings. We find the interior to be a pretty comfortable - and hugely roomy - place to be, but for the range's dedicated performance model, the 2010 iteration just isn't adequately differentiated from other models in the series. Thanks to a slew of minor changes, the 2011 model's interior promises visuals that are more in keeping with the 2.5GT's sporting temperament.

Oh - another word about those front seats. We've taken a few longer drives over the past month, and while they're still very comfortable, the lower seat cushions are quite short and we can't help but wonder if this would become a problem for taller folks. We're going to try to cajole some of our lankier friends into taking a few long drives with us and see how they come down. Either way, we do wish that the GT would rank model-specific seats with significantly more lateral bolstering for the twisties. No such issues with the rear seats - knee, leg and toe room is epic, as is headroom.

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: May 2010

Simple switchgear a welcome trait

There's a lot to be said for simplicity over unnecessary complication.

Less wood, more sport

Subaru has recognized the opportunity to substitute faux carbon fiber trim for 2011.

Click here for all updates.

One other thing we've noticed is that not only are the Legacy's seats comfortable, the ride is extremely forgiving, even on 18-inch Bridgestone summer rubber. The 2.5GT has a surprisingly pliant sort of long-travel feel to it, which has proven to be an asset on the broken roads here in the Midwest. There might be a bit more lean in hard cornering as a consequence, but the tuning seems to mesh nicely with the idea of Subaru's rally heritage - we can see getting our Scandy-flick on and catching air on modest jumps with few issues in this thing. We plan to have the Legacy live out in California for a few months later this year, where our man Lavrinc will tell us if this somewhat softish feeling is a liability on the state's well-groomed curvy roads. For now, however, it's a pleasure, making short work of Detroit's broken surfaces.

In the meantime, our Subie continues to win friends on the streets and with family members, some of whom haven't encountered a modern product from Fuji Heavy. We've had a surprising number of unsolicited compliments curbside and at gas stations, and we're growing used to the design ourselves - those big fenders (purportedly to emphasize the car's all-wheel drive nature) now almost look like they're part of a sporty body kit to us - in a good way - and the deep maroon paint hides the car's size, while the finish appears to be of uniformly high quality.

CLICK HERE to check out all updates for our long-term 2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT.

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: May 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Simplicity of switchgear a welcome trait

Chris Paukert — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Long-Term Garage

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

After spending a week circumnavigating the country in a pair of BMW sedans on One Lap of America a couple of weeks back, you might think that the drive home to Detroit from South Bend would've been a bit of a disappointment. On the contrary, we were glad to see our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT, and have been so every day since then. Not that we didn't enjoy the 550i (2010 model) or remember why we absolutely love the 335d, but there's a lot to be said for simplicity over unnecessary complication.

For one, the cruise control switchgear on the steering wheel spoke in the Subie is infinitely easier to use than the hidden stalk on the Bimmers. The Legacy's arrangement is a model of ergonomic excellence, whereas the BMW necessitated that we give step-by-step how-to directions to our co-drivers from the back seat. Repeatedly.

And don't even get us started on the differences in navigation systems. While the 2.5GT's is far from perfect, its touchscreen is still much easier to negotiate than either of the two generations of iDrive we experienced in the BMWs - much improved though they are. We do wish that higher functions (address entry, etc.) could be accessed on the move - at least when there is more than one person in the car. Why can't automakers learn that this safety 'feature' should have an automatic override tied to the passenger seat weight sensor that's already there to govern airbag deployment?

Did we mention how much we like the utterly intuitive dual-zone HVAC controls? Crisp display, a couple of rockers and a handful of buttons - it's simplicity itself.

One area where our Subaru is arguably oversimplified is with its sunroof controls: It has two single-function switches - one for tilt, and one for slide open/close. Unless it's a small cost win, we can't see why there isn't a unified dual function switch as on most other cars. At least they are differentiated in look and feel for less fumbling about.

Autoblog Long-Term Introduction: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

Long-Term Update: Touring our Subaru Legacy 2.5GT's birthplace

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Hill holder a great feature, but why an idiot lamp?

More Long-Term Updates:

Visit the our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT page

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Simplicity of switchgear a welcome trait originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: The key is robustness and simplicity

Chris Paukert — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Design/Style, Long-Term Garage

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Car keys have gone from bare hunks of uninteresting metal to multi-function, pieces of auto jewelry and pocket brand totems. Some are beautifully rendered small works of art (e.g. Aston Martin's chunk of crystal), while others are overwrought and oversized, taking up too much pocket or purse space because they have separate keys and oversized fobs.

The best ones are both convenient and consistent with the automaker's brand values, and in that spirit, our long-term Subaru Legacy 2.5GT's key nails it. Like Subaru cars themselves, the key is practical, robust, and not oversized. Nothing flips out like a switchblade, it doesn't have a gigantic separate fob that creates a big lump in your jeans, and it doesn't weigh a ton, either. It's just a simple wave-cut key with a commendably small head that features four buttons - Lock, Unlock, Trunk, and a recessed red Panic button. Simple, effective, and to the point - not unlike Subaru cars themselves. Your status probably won't go up by flashing it at the local martini bar or valet display stand, but if you care about that sort of thing, you're probably not a typical Subaru shopper anyway.

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: The key is robustness and simplicity originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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