5th place - 2010 Subaru Legacy PZEV (76.9%)
The Subaru Legacy was once in a class all its own. Being the only "regular" manufacturer to offer up AWD on all its cars, Subaru has had to face the music in the last few years, as a number of makers can now deliver some of their products with an optional AWD system. Oddly, Subaru has been on a crusade to propagate the fact that they are a Japanese brand, yet their mainstream products have never been more "American"...

The Legacy can be best summed up as a very effective tool for commuting regardless of road conditions. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

This could, in part, explain why the previously much-loved Legacy has ended up in this position. The exterior styling is uninspired and partially bloated. The cabin layout and presentation are a little too sober for our tastes but maintain clear ergonomics. Fit and finish are quite appreciable and basic. The story is the same where seating and interior volume are concerned. The front buckets are firm, comfortable with a good driving position. The rear bench abounds in leg, shoulder and elbow room, the most marked improvement over the 2005-2009 car.

Our PZEV (partial zero emissions) tester featured the much-used 170-hp 2.5L motor paired to Subaru's latest bit of modern technology, a CVT transmission. Together, they delivered better-than-average acceleration times and median fuel consumption numbers. The Kizashi's transmission, the other car with a CVT, paled in comparison to the Subaru's box. The Subie's more immediate responsiveness and better thought-out programming aided driving enjoyment. The nicely weighted steering and the decent and nimble ride pleased the crowd, but here we noticed a lack of previously enjoyed vim usually associated to this car. The Legacy can be best summed up as a very effective tool for commuting regardless of road conditions.

"The Subaru Legacy has completely changed and its waistline has really expanded. In doing so, it has lost much dynamism, especially where the drive is concerned. They [Subaru] should re-infuse some Subaru personality back in the mix." - Marc Bouchard

	Fusion	Accord	Sonata	Mazda6	Legacy	Kizashi	Camry
ENGINE	2.5L L4 16V	2.4L L4 16V	2.4L L4 16V	2.5L L4 16V	2.5L H4 16V	2.4L L4 16V	2.5L L4 16V
TRANSM.	6-speed auto	5-speed auto	6-speed auto	5-speed auto	Cont. variable auto	Cont. variable auto	6-speed auto
POWER (hp@rpm)	175 @ 6,000	190 @ 7,000	198 @ 6,300	170 @ 6,000	170 @ 5,600	180 @ 6,500	179 @ 6,000
TORQUE (lb-ft@rpm)	172 @ 4,500	162 @ 4,400	184 @ 4,250	167 @ 4,000	170 @ 4,000	170 @ 4,000	171 @ 4,100
DRIVETRAIN	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	AWD	AWD	FWD