The exciting and fun-to-drive 2011 Subaru Legacy is anything but typical. Featuring standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), an available six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged engine, the Legacy is a family sedan for the driver of today.

 

The 2011 Subaru Legacy (MSRP starting at $19,995) features sports car characteristics while still delivering every day practicality, fuel efficiency and value. And what’s more, it’s one of the safest family sedans money can buy.

 

Completely redesigned for 2010, the Legacy offers seven trim levels for 2011: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5GT Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited. Three engines are offered in the Legacy, depending on trim, and each features the signature SUBARU BOXER^® construction, with horizontally opposed cylinders that lay flat for more efficient power delivery.

 

The combination of the SUBARU BOXER engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive equates to handling dynamics that exceed those of its competitors. Because of the engine’s low center of gravity, body roll is kept to a minimum with crisp, confident cornering. In dry conditions, the Legacy hangs with the athletic crowd compared to its family sedan competitors; in wet or adverse conditions, the legendary AWD system on the Legacy really shines, gripping its way through mud, sand and snow that most other family sedans wouldn’t even dare to approach.

 

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder standard in the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium produces 170 hp and 170 lb/ft of torque. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission with a clever hill holder feature that holds the brakes until the clutch hits its friction point to avoid rolling backward. On 2.5i Limited models, the four-cylinder comes with a Lineartronic^® Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – also available in the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium – that can return 31 mpg highway. An impressive number, especially so for an all-wheel drive sedan.

 

Standard equipment on 2.5i models includes electronic cruise control, air conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column with steering wheel controls, a four-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack and 16-inch steel wheels. The 2.5i Premium adds silver metallic interior trim, an eight-way power driver’s seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 2.5i Limited adds 17-inch alloy wheels, four-way power passenger’s seat, an All Weather Package (great for colder climates), dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth and a nine-speaker harman/kardon sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer.

 

As their name suggests, Legacy 3.6R models feature a 3.6-liter SUBARU BOXER V6 that generates 256 hp and 247 lb/ft of torque through a standard five-speed adaptive electronic automatic while returning 25 mpg highway. The real screamer of the bunch, however, is the turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the 2.5GT Limited, which sprints from zero-to-60 mph in under six seconds, yet still returns 25 mpg highway. A six-speed manual is the exclusive transmission offered with the turbo four-cylinder.

 

The 3.6R trim packages are similar, but come with upgraded brakes and 17-inch alloy wheels. The 2.5GT Limited features a hood scoop, foglights, a moonroof and 18-inch alloy wheels.

 

Additional options include an eight-inch touchscreen navigation system with voice control, Bluetooth phone and audio integration and a 440-watt, nine-speaker premium harman/kardon audio system.

 

The recently redesigned Legacy interior strikes a balance between sportiness and sophistication with easy to find, easy to use controls. All occupants have ample head- and legroom including the middle passenger in the backseat. Unlike many other modern sedan designs, the Legacy interior offers terrific visibility out every window for added awareness and safety. Out back, the Legacy trunk swallows cargo to the tune of 14.7 cubic feet.

 

The Legacy also happens to be one of the safest family sedans on the road today. Subaru engineers incorporate a ring-shaped reinforcement frame that directs crash energy around the vehicle instead of through it, helping maintain structural integrity during a collision. As a result, for the second year running, the Legacy was awarded a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

 

In addition to the legendary Symmetrical AWD system, every Legacy also comes standard with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), which can automatically apply brakeforce to individual wheels and reduce engine power to avoid loss of vehicle control, an Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BAS) and six airbags. An available rear vision camera system lets you see what’s behind you, displayed either in a portion of the rearview mirror or on an eight-inch in-dash screen.

 

The 2011 Subaru Legacy is a family sedan that continues to set itself apart from the crowd. It’s a machine that appeals to those who want a perfect balance of athletic styling, sports car performance, unmatched safety and every day driving practicality.

 

Schedule a test-drive today and experience firsthand the unique Subaru approach to the family sedan.