Bumper durability has improved significantly with the redesigned 2010 Subaru Legacy, leading to lower repair costs, based on recent tests by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS). Shown to the right, the latest Legacy earned an Acceptable rating based on IIHS tests of how well the front, front corner, rear, and rear corner bumpers withstand everyday fender-benders. The Legacy’s 2010 predecessor, the 2007-2009 versions, had previously rated Poor on this test, and sustained more than $4,000 in damage. The 2010 model sustained less than $900.
 
The IIHS rates bumpers Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor based on 6 mph front and rear impact and 3 mph corner impact. Vehicles are run into a steel barrier that has a plastic absorber and flexible cover to simulate a car’s energy absorber and plastic bumper cover. The biggest improvement for the Legacy was in the front impact test. The difference is that the 2010 Legacy's front reinforcement bar is taller, about six inches wider, and more than an inch higher off the ground. This prevented the bumper from sliding under the barrier during the test.
 
The Legacy is only the fifth car to get an acceptable rating in the bumper test. The others are the Ford Focus, Mazda6, Scion xB, and Smart ForTwo. All but two of 17 midsized cars rated Marginal or Poor for bumper protection. No car has yet earned a good rating. (Read: “IIHS midsized sedan bumper test–None rated Good.”)
 
This IIHS bumper test does not measure safety, just repair costs. The Legacy earned the Top Safety Pick designation with a good performance in front, side, and rear tests.
 
Over 300 crash tests conducted by IIHS can be seen in our crash test video player. Also, videos on current-generation vehicles are now available from the model overview pages (for subscribers).
 
Learn more about car safety.
 
—Maggie Shader