A twenty-year lifespan provides a lot of time for refinement, and Subaru had a heck of a fine starting point with the Legacy. Before the official unveiling at the New York International Auto Show (April 10th-19th), Subaru revealed specs and pics for the 2010 Legacy, showing us a car that's bigger, taller, and more powerful.

Let’s start with the outside specs of this all-wheel-drive four-door sport sedan. The '09 edition is 35mm longer, 90mm wider, and 80mm taller than in 2009, with an 80mm longer wheelbase as well. This means more legroom, headroom, and trunk space. The front grille and C-pillars are reminiscent of the 2009 model's, but the rest of the car has been redesigned to have a more aggressive look. Inside, Subaru attempted to create a more open space, eliminating the lever-operated parking brake in favor of a cleaner electronic option, and redesigning the instrument panel along the same lines. The three-spoke steering wheel has been redesigned and includes audio controls and paddle shifters for automatic trims. Interior storage has also been increased with a larger console box and armrest.

Perhaps the biggest news is in the engine and transmission lineup. Every engine is tweaked, revised, or remapped. Starting with the base 2.5i trim, the 2.5-liter boxer four gets a weight-saving resin-baked intake manifold that brings peak torque in at 4,000 rpm, as opposed to the previous 4,400. Subaru reports improved cooling and a revised catalytic converter have increased fuel efficiency to 19/27 mpg. The turbocharged 2.5 for the 2.5GT is revised with a modified turbo and an rpm reduction for more power and efficiency. Even with the 22-hp increase and additional 17 lb-ft of torque, fuel efficiency comes in at 18/25. Both engines now come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. An optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) is new for the 2.5i, although the automatic option for the 2.5GT is still a five-speed. The CVT is especially notable as the first longitudinally mounted CVT in an AWD car, not to mention its impressive fuel economy of 23/31.

The top-tier 3.6R gets a big upgrade in its 3.6-liter boxer six-cylinder engine, putting out an additional 11 hp and 32 lb-ft of torque over the outgoing 3.0, although the sole transmission available is a five-speed automatic, with that combo achieving 18/25. The suspension has also been revised across the model line, and all trims now include standard stability control.