New 2009 Subaru Legacy

For car shoppers seeking a midsize sedan with above-average sport looks and performance in their everyday car, the 2009 Subaru Legacy will surely leave its best mark on the road and in your memory.

Flexibility and options abound with seven trim levels available on the Legacy. The base 2.5i, 2.5i Special Edition and 2.5i Limited utilize a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 170-horsepower. The 2.5 GT Limited and 2.5 GT spec.B rev up to 243-horsepower, while the 3.0 R and 3.0 R Limited sport a six-cylinder engine good for 245-horsepower. All-wheel-drive comes standard on all Legacys.

The 2.5i Special Edition package showcases a 385-watt Harman-Kardon nine-speaker audio system, as well as a power moon-roof, eight-way power driver seat and Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control stability system. The 2.5i, 2.5 GT and 3.0 R Limited models get dual-zone automatic climate control and steering wheel controls. The 3.0 models are distinguished by standard 17-inch steel wheels for the 3.0 R, and 18-inch alloy wheels on the 3.0 R Limited.

A strong seller year-over-year, the Legacy presents a worthwhile combination of overall style and powerful yet sporty handling that gets desirable marks in the Tale of the Tape for midsize sedans against the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Mazda 6. Fuel economy is also strong in comparison to others in its class, with 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway.

The Legacy provides 4-door entry and seats up to five passengers. Center stack controls allow for easy-to-use gauges and intuitive knobs. High-quality interior materials and inspired styling complement strong trunk and cargo space as added driving amenities for any range of driving distance.

Subaru continues to earn high scores in highway safety crash tests, with strong attention to front- and side-impact airbags, as well as the ability of its head restraints to prevent whiplash in rear impacts. Standard safety features on the Legacy include four-wheel-disc antilock brakes and traction control to assist in emergency situations.

For an overall enjoyable ride that many types of buyers with a variety of needs are sure to enjoy, the 2009 Subaru Legacy should not be underappreciated as an appealing family sedan option.