Like last year, there are three engines available for the Legacy. The 2.5i, 2.5i Special Edition, and 2.59 Limited all have the 2.5L 4-cylinder boxer engine that makes170 hp; the 2.5GT and 2.5GT Limited utilize a turbo 2.5L that makes 243 hp. The 3.0R and 3.0R Limited feature a 245-hp 3.0L 6-cylinder engine under the hood.
There are four transmissions available, with the 5-speed manual being used in the base 2.5i, the 2.5i Special Edition and the 2.5GT Limited. The 2.5i Limited has a 4-speed automatic and the 2.5GT Spec.B has a 6-speed manual. The 3.0R and 3.0R Limited both have a 5-speed automatic transmission.
The most basic of the seven trim levels available, the 2.5i, still includes lots of standard features, such as traction control, vehicle dynamics control, electronic brake-force distribution, 17" alloy wheels, dual exhaust, tire-pressure monitoring, 60/40 fold-flat rear seats, under-floor cargo area storage and a 6-speaker CD/MP3 stereo.
The 2.5i Special Edition adds a power moonroof, a 9-speaker harmon/kardon stereo, 8-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. The 2.5i Limited has all this plus heated, leather-trimmed seats, heated mirrors, dual-zone climate control, and upgraded titanium and woodgrain-patterned interior accents.
The 2.5GT Limited has the turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine, leather-wrapped steering wheel and SI-Drive Sport Sharp controls for adjusting throttle response. The Spec.B designation means sport-tuned Bilstein shocks, Torsen limited-slip differential, 18" alloy wheels and titanium interior trim.
The 3.0R and 3.0R Limited have the largest engine available in the Legacy, a 245-hp 6-cylinder mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The 3.0R has the same features as the 2.5GT Limited, while the 3.0R Limited adds Bilstein shocks, 18" wheels and upgraded interior.
The Legacy is as known for its all-weather safety record as its sport driving characteristics. Dual-stage front airbags, side-curtain airbags, seat-mounted front side-impact airbags, active front-seat head restraints, collapsible steering column, anti-lock brakes, TPMS, traction and stability control and daytime running lights are all standard. All of these systems added up to 5-star ratings from the NHTSA in front and side crash tests for driver and passenger. The Legacy received a 4-star rollover rating.
Standard All-wheel Drive
All-weather Capabilities
Responsive, Sporty Driving
The 2009 Legacy gets a few upgrades, such as standard electronic stability control and a 9-speaker stereo on all models but the base-level 2.5i. Two new trim levels are available: the 2.5i Special Edition, which replaces the Premium model; and the 3.0 R, a more affordable alternative to the 3.0 R Limited but with the same 245-hp 6-cylinder engine.
The Legacy covers a lot of ground -- literally and figuratively. The inexpensive base models, starting below $21,000, offer impressive handling and a fun driving experience disguised as a family-friendly sedan. The upper levels of trim emphasize performance, especially in the 3.0 R and 3.0 R Limited editions, which trade in the standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine for a 3.0L flat-six. The 2.5GT Spec.B trim steps further toward performance, with a 2.5L 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed manual -- for about $35,000.
Fuel economy is reasonable, with the 3.0L 6-cylinder getting 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and the 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual achieving 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway.
.png)
