Autoblog

2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback recalled over potential steering loss

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Recalls, Safety, Subaru

Subaru today announced a recall that affects 5,379 Legacy sedan and Outback wagon models in the United States. All of the affected 2013 model-year vehicles were built between February 15 and June 15 of 2012.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another" in these vehicles. If that happens, the driver can lose the ability to steer the vehicle, which could obviously lead to all sorts of harmful things.

Subaru will notify owners of the problem, and affected models will have their steering columns replaced at dealerships, free of charge. Scroll down for the official NHSTA report.

Continue reading 2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback recalled over potential steering loss

2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback recalled over potential steering loss originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #313

Dan Roth — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Truck, Work, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, GMC, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Subaru, Toyota

Infiniti model names, new GM trucks, Ford work vans, Hyundai ratted out on economy, Ward's 10 Best Engines

Episode #313 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about Infiniti's confusing model name re-jiggering, the 2014 General Motors pickups, Ford's new Transit line of vans, reports that a domestic automaker ratted on Hyundai/Kia about fuel economy ratings, and Ward's 2012 list of 10 Best Engines. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #313:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Toyota Prius C
2013 Subaru Legacy
2013 Dodge Durango R/T

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross

Runtime: 01:18:25

Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #313

Autoblog Podcast #313 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Legacy that spent 3 months at bottom of Finnish lake starts on first try

Dan Roth — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Subaru

"Ja, that ice'll hold ya." Until it didn't, and suddenly a man's 1996 Legacy wagon was at the bottom of a shallow lake in Finland. Three months later, the Subaru wagon was dragged from its freshwater slumber, and while most people would just write the car off or at most turn it into a parts donor, curiosity got the better of the rescue squad.

Would it run? Just how bad was the damage? Before plunging below the surface, the owner did have time to shut the engine down and get his dogs out, so the boxer four didn't aspirate any water and electrons weren't coursing through the various circuits, two details that likely saved a bunch of damage. After removing a live fish from the engine bay, draining a lot of water from the fuel tank and crankcase, and a fresh fill of fluids and spark plugs, lo and behold, the SCUBA-ru chugged to life on the first try.

It's not perfect; until the residual water works its way through the fuel system it's going to feel a little low on power, and oxidation may start to fiercely assert itself. The smell is probably epic, too, but this is one funkbox with a great story.

Subaru Legacy that spent 3 months at bottom of Finnish lake starts on first try originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

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

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Subaru

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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Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept to bow in Tokyo

Noah Joseph — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Wagon, Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru, Design/Style

Many of us were big fans of the visuals of the previous-generation Subaru Legacy. While it was a little long-in-the-tooth by the time its replacement rolled around, it was a pretty slick little number. The current Legacy may be more advanced than the model it replaced, but we've never warmed to its look the way we did with the fourth generation model. That's why we're encouraged by these preview images of this new concept.

At the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show later this month, Subaru will unveil the Advanced Tourer Concept seen here, together with its much-anticipated new BRZ coupe. We're hoping this is a glimpse at the next-gen Legacy wagon, as the Advanced Tourer Concept packs much more aggressive, muscular styling than the current model (we're also hoping that Subaru brings back the wagon bodystyle to North America). It's also possible that it will be a standalone model outside of the Legacy range.

The interior has been done up in all manner of luxury features, from lashings of leather and brushed aluminum trim to the panoramic glass sunroof and, intriguingly, an infotainment screen mounted right on the steering wheel.

There's also a new crash avoidance system based on two cameras mounted to the rearview mirror, but the bigger technological feature is the new in-house hybrid drivetrain that couples an electric motor to a 1.6-liter turbo boxer four to deliver the same output as a 2.0- or 2.5-liter but with better fuel consumption, driving all four wheels through a CVT. Like what you see? Check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

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Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept to bow in Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Subaru Legacy, Outback models recalled over fly-away moonroofs

Eric Loveday — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Subaru

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just announced a safety recall affecting 69,590 model year 2011 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. The recall concerns adhesive, or a possible lack thereof, used to affix moonroof glass to its retainer. This action covers 2011 Legacy and Outback models manufactured from August 3, 2010, through July 1, 2011.

NHTSA says an inadequate amount of adhesive on the moonroofs of affected models could allow the glass to loosen or even detach while the vehicle is in motion. This flying glass, says the agency, could become a road hazard and possibly even lead to a crash.

Subaru will contact owners of affected Legacy and Outback models in October and says its dealers will inspect the adhesive and, if necessary, apply more of the sticky substance to ensure the glass doesn't detach. As is always the case with a federal recall, dealers will inspect and repair components free of charge, and owners are urged to contact Subaru for more info. Click past the jump to read the official recall notice.

Continue reading 2011 Subaru Legacy, Outback models recalled over fly-away moonroofs

2011 Subaru Legacy, Outback models recalled over fly-away moonroofs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Subaru hybrid headed to U.S. in 2013

Zach Bowman — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 07:59:00 EST

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Subaru finally appears ready to enter the hybrid segment. Unsurprising considering the numerous rumors and reports that the Japanese automaker, which has strong ties with Toyota, aims to launch it first hybridized vehicle by the end of 2012. However, Subaru's tight-lipped approach prevents us from confirming what vehicle the automaker will use to introduce its hybrid to the world. Initial speculation puts the fuel-sipping technology into either the Legacy or Impreza platform. Regardless, Reuters claims that Subaru's hybrid is U.S.-bound.

On the sidelines of this year's Detroit Auto Show, Reuters prodded Tom Doll, chief operating officer of Subaru of America, seeking insight into the automaker's hybrid plans. Doll stated, "We're going to need something at some point, even (only) to say we have it because that enhances our brand image in the market." Though Subaru has not officially confirmed the launch of a hybrid vehicle, Reuters reports that the fuel-sipping auto will be released in 2012 and maintains that the U.S. will witness the debut of the first Subaru hybrid model in 2013.

Gallery: Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept

[Source: Reuters]

Rumormill: Subaru hybrid headed to U.S. in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: How to railslide a front-drive 1992 Subaru Legacy

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Subaru, Humor

Wyatt Knox creating a new Winter X-Games event - Click above to watch video after the jump

The extreme sports and motorsports worlds have collided in recent years, with the X-Games set trading in their small wheels for much larger ones. In that same spirit, rally driver Wyatt Knox is looking to reverse that trend and bring rallying into the action sports world. Take a front-wheel drive 1992 Subaru Legacy, a well-placed log on Team O'Neil Rally School's closed course, a couple of HD video cameras and you have the recipe for an automotive railslide.

The end result actually turns out pretty well because Knox knows what he is doing behind the wheel. His backside car slide can be seen in the video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Video: How to railslide a front-drive 1992 Subaru Legacy

Video: How to railslide a front-drive 1992 Subaru Legacy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: The key to changing map discs

John Neff — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Long-Term Garage

How to swap map discs in a 2011 Subaru Legacy - Click above to watch video after the jump

Pop quiz: Where's the slot to swap out DVD map discs for the 2010 Subaru Legacy's navigation system? No, it's not the one you can see with your eyes in the image above; that's the slot for audio CDs. The DVD drive is hidden. Answer: behind that blue plastic panel located directly beneath the CD slot.

Since the nav system in the 2010 Subaru legacy doesn't contain an entire atlas of North America on an internal hard drive, you'll sometimes have to change the map disc if where you're headed is on a different disc. I discovered this when having to make the trek from Ohio to Michigan because maps for the Wolverine State were on a different region disc than the one that was already loaded.

The manual, of course, makes the process of popping off this panel seem easy. Put your thumb on the top of the panel and lift the panel up from the bottom. In reality, the nearly invisible recess at the bottom of the panel is blocked by the buttons below it, and unless you have long and particularly strong fingernails, the tight-fitting pane is not coming off without some outside assistance. A pocket knife would work best, but all I had at the time was a small key. Since I didn't want to scratch the aforementioned buttons, I tried lifting the panel off a little to the right of the recess. With much effort and a grunt for good measure, the panel came flying off the console.

Most people won't be swapping map discs very often, as each one contains a large chunk of the country in which to navigate. But even if I had the fingernail length required for the job, I still wouldn't like having to pop off a cheap panel to do it. Follow the jump for video of a staged recreation of my first encounter with this panel.

Continue reading 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: The key to changing map discs

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: The key to changing map discs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:01:00 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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Report: Recall, stop-sale issued on 2010-11 Subaru Outback and Legacy models over gearbox flaw

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Subaru

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Once again, Subaru's mainstay models, the Outback and Legacy, appear to be girding for a recall. Both models have already faced callbacks for leaky CVT hoses and wiring issues, but according to Inside Line, a new issue affecting a number of manual transmission-equipped 2010 and 2011 models will not only precipitate another recall, but also a stop-sale on all potentially-affected vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the oil lubrication hole in the six-speed manual transmission has not been drilled on the affected vehicles, which can cause gears to break. NHTSA issued a statement, saying:

"If the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop, alerting the driver to a problem. If this sound is ignored and no action is taken, the gears will eventually break and this condition will lead to vehicle power loss, possibly resulting in a crash."

Vehicles will be repaired, free of charge, at any Subaru dealer in America. Most will simply have an oil lubrication hole drilled, though the automaker has informed its dealer network that vehicles with 6,250 miles or more will require the replacement of the third through sixth gearsets, as well as the main shaft.

A total of 809 Outback and Legacy models are affected by this recall, which is expected to officially go into effect on August 6. In the meantime, owners are urged to contact their local dealers as soon as possible to have this problem corrected.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Subaru Outback

Photos by Jonathon Ramsey / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Recall, stop-sale issued on 2010-11 Subaru Outback and Legacy models over gearbox flaw originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Subaru to dump "quirky" image

Chris Shunk — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Subaru

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept - click above for high-res image gallery

As the old saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And while many of us look at a Subaru and describe the brand's styling as "awkward" or "quirky," owners of the competent, all-wheel drive conveyances tend to show unconditional love. More recent, Subaru designs like the Legacy or Impreza are less "outside the box" than past efforts, but some hardcore Subaru fanatics look at the change in styling as an aesthetic neutering. Still, sales have improved immensely over the past few years, as Subaru has not only survived the Great Recession, but thrived. So what's in store for the future of Subaru styling?

In a recent interview with AutoWeek, Subaru's new design boss Osamu Namba claims that the Japanese automaker is looking to ditch its odd designs once and for all, with cleaner lines that appeal to a wider audience. Namba joined Subaru back in 2008 after spending a decade heading his own design firm, and he's said to be working on the next-generation Impreza; his first production Subaru. But to see where Subaru's design direction could go, look no further than the Hybrid Tourer Concept from the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The Namba-designed concept is a totally new look for Subaru, with clean, modern lines and an aesthetic that's far less challenging than past models.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Subaru design staff is to improve styling without alienating its loyal audience. While some critics may mention that the Hybrid Tourer Concept would rub Subaru owners the wrong way, the Japanese automaker is hoping that those loyal fans will continue to love their products because of their all-wheel drive, boxer engine and entertaining driving characteristics. Head over to AW to read over the interesting article about Namba and the future of Subaru design, and make sure to weigh in on the poll below.

View Poll

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Subaru to dump "quirky" image originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru recalling nearly 74,000 2010 Outback and Legacy models over wiring issue

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Subaru

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res gallery

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Subaru is recalling 74,000 2010 Outback and Legacy models built between February 16, 2009 and April 12, 2010. It seems that a bundle of wires located behind the steering wheel can develop stress cracks and eventually break. If this happens, some vehicle functions with controls on the steering wheel - such as the horn, cruise and radio controls, paddle shifters and even the driver's airbag - could fail.

Owners of affected vehicles are urged to contact their local dealerships to see if their cars are equipped with a possibly defective steering roll connector. If so, the dealership will replace the component free of charge. Earlier this year, Subaru recalled roughly 30,000 Outback and Legacy models for a leaky CVT transmission hose.

Full details on this latest recall can be found after the break.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Outback

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Subaru recalling nearly 74,000 2010 Outback and Legacy models over wiring issue

Subaru recalling nearly 74,000 2010 Outback and Legacy models over wiring issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Learning to drive stick

John Neff — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:26:00 EST

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

That's my wife, and despite the two thumbs up and big smile on her face, she just stalled our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT for the sixth time in a row. Turns out that the Legacy is not an ideal practice car in which to learn the fine art of cog swapping. It's too bad, too, as tomorrow the Mrs. and I are heading off on a 2,000+ mile road trip vacation to Bar Harbor, Maine in the Legacy. While I love a long road trip behind the wheel and prefer the driver's seat to the passivity of riding shotgun, it's going to be a long trip and I wouldn't have minded a copilot to take over when my eyelids get heavy.

The problem with learning stick in the Legacy is its clutch. The take-up point comes on quickly, after only an inch or so of pedal travel, so you have to be very nuanced in the application of your left foot within that span of space. Experienced manual drivers can get the hang of it, though it still takes concentration not to make your passengers buck back and forth when shifting gears. As for my wife, she just couldn't get the hang of the Legacy's manual tranny. Her left leg just didn't have the degrees of control necessary to pull away from a stop without letting the engine bog down and die. She actually did it the first time she tried, but couldn't duplicate her success on the second or eleventh try.

Now, I shouldn't fault the Legacy alone, as my lesson in shifting began with highly technical expositions of how the accelerator and clutch pedal were affecting the car's mechanicals and ended with me shouting "Give it more gas. More GAS. MORE GAS!" Our next lesson will be in a friend's 2002 Ford Focus, which we're assured has a suitably mushy clutch that's perfect for beginners. If you've got any tips on how best to teach someone manual driving, let us know in the comments.

PS: Thanks for the response from readers on my update about the Legacy's backwards E-brake. Since then I've tried to consider the E-Brake as more analogous to ye olde foot brakes and am having success. I've also discovered that if you're in gear and have your seatbelt on, the E-brake will disengage as soon as you apply some gas. Yes, electronics can be your friend.

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Learning to drive stick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:26:00 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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Subaru announces pricing and tweaks to 2011 Outback, Legacy models

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 14 May 2010 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Crossover, Subaru

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT - click above for high-res gallery

Subaru has priced the 2011 versions of two vehicles leading its continuing sales charge, the Legacy and Outback. All of the Legacy models bar the Limited trim version have stood pat on MSRP, from the base 2.5i at $19,995 to the 3.6R at $24,995. The Limited models go up by $300 to cover folding exterior mirrors, harman/kardon audio, and XM satellite radio.

The 2011 Legacy 2.5GT will only be offered in Limited guise, and its price goes up by $405 to $31,395. Replacing its woodgrain with faux carbon-fiber dashboard trim and adding brightwork in the form of aluminum pedals and contrasting seat stitching addresses two of the few gripes we've had with our 2.5GT long term test car.

The Outback gets the smallest hike, just $200, going to $23,195 for the 2.5i, $24,495 for the 2.5i Premium, and $28,495 for the 2.5i Limited with CVT. Opt for the Power Moonroof Package for an additional $450, and you'll get a new rear-view camera with a 3.3-inch display in the auto-dimming mirror with Homelink thrown on Premium and Limited models. Follow the jump for the rest of the details on the 2011 Legacy and Outback - with this kind of pricing restraint, we expect them to keep selling well.

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Subaru announces pricing and tweaks to 2011 Outback, Legacy models

Subaru announces pricing and tweaks to 2011 Outback, Legacy models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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