Posted 10.18.2009

Executive Wheels: Think you don’t like Subarus?

Think again. This is the best car on the market for the money

By Jeff Rundles

2010 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5i Premium

For the money, the 2010 Subaru Legacy is the finest car on the American market.

Better than any Toyota. Better than any Honda. Better than any Hyundai. Better than any Nissan. And for that matter, better even than any Lexus, Infiniti, Genesis (the luxury Hyundai brand) or Acura.

Really. Trust me.

I had some preconceptions about Subaru. On the plus side, I considered them very reliable, and with all-wheel-drive as the main feature, they offer a safety feature that only a handful of competitors can match.

On the down side -- cheaply made, too small, worse-than-average styling, limited leg room in the back seat, underpowered, and seem to attract buyers that you would only ever see anywhere else in a Birkenstock store. I have had a running joke with my children for many years that if we get into the slow lane in traffic, nine times out of 10, the culprit is a Subaru driver.

Let me begin with the outward appearance.  The new Legacy looks very much like the Honda Accord  - same size, same shape, same styling details except for slightly different light fixtures. But the Accord sedan is about $1,000 more on MSRP, and AWD isn't even an option. I am not dissing the Accord -- it's a nice car; but for the money there is, now, no comparison. The Legacy is better.

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