What makes a car truly comfortable? Air conditioning? Heated seats? Power window shades? Sure, those are all a good start, but with today’s modern luxuries, there are so many extras that can make your commute a comfortable one.

The folks at Kelley Blue Book have assembled the 10 most comfortable cars under $30,000. Not surprisingly Buick placed highly, taking both the first and second spots. And that first place went to none other than the new Buick LaCrosse.

Get the complete list of the Top 10 most Comfortable Cars (and why they made the list) after the jump:

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Subaru is recalling 70,000 2010 Legacy and Outback models due to a defective steering column electrical roll connector. A broken wire within this component can cause the airbags, paddle shifters, horn or steering wheel audio controls to malfunction.

A Subaru spokesperson told Inside Line that the recall resulted in no injuries and the fix takes roughly an hour. In May, Subaru recalled nearly 30,000 of these vehicles to replace a fault hose in the CVT gearbox.

[Source: Inside Line]

If the recession is slowly beginning to end, it’s companies like Subaru that are leading the charge. The Japanese automaker recorded its best sales ever in July with 21,839 units sold, compared to 16,271 units during the same period last year. That’s an increase of 34 percent!

While a lot of credit can be given to the fact that in July Subaru brought the new 2010 Legacy and Outback to dealerships, both the Forester and Impreza out-paced the new models. Outback sales were up 33 percent over last July, while Legacy sales were up 34 percent. The Forester posted a 36 percent increase while the Impreza wracked up an amazing 41 percent climb. In fact, the only model to suffer decline was the Tribeca SUV, which is sold in such small volume anyway that it doesn’t have much of an effect on overall sales.

“Our sales reflect that our brand has solidly connected with customers,” said Subaru of America executive VP and COO Tom Doll. ”We have been consistent with everything we have done to build not only safe, durable, fun-to-drive vehicles, but also the Subaru brand.”

Official release after the jump:

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Subaru has just released its EPA fuel-economy numbers for the 2010 Legacy with some impressive figures. The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, when paired with Subaru’s CVT transmission, gets 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway for a combined total of 26 mpg. This rating is better, Subaru notes, than base-engine competitors including the Honda Accord, Mazda6i, VW Passat and Hyundai Sonata. What is particularly impressive is how the Legacy manages this feat with all-wheel drive.

In fact, the Legacy 2.5i CVT (priced at $19,995) is now the highest rated midsize AWD sedan in the U.S.

“We are thrilled that the all-new 2010 Legacy not only offers more space and a more rewarding drive than the competition, but it also delivers better fuel economy at a very competitive price,” said Tim Mahoney, senior VP at Subaru of America.

The Legacy 2.5i is also available with a six-speed manual transmission which achieves 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for a combined total of 27 mpg.

Follow the jump for a full list of EPA ratings for the different 2010 Legacy models:

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Is this the face of a race car? Subaru certainly thinks so.

The latest rumors indicate that the automaker intends to enter a version of its new 2010 Legacy model (launched at the New York Auto Show this year) into Japan’s top-level Super GT series. The car will no doubt receive numerous modifications, but engine output won’t be changed all that much. The reason for this is that Subaru will race the car in the 300 (meaning 300hp) class – rather than the highest 500 class.

A Legacy 2.5GT is the likely choice to form the basis of the race car, especially as it sports a new 2.5-liter boxer engine with 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque.

The move is surprising as the cash-strapped automaker pulled from the World Rally Championship (WRC) this year, citing economic reasons. Subaru teams had, however, performed poorly the past few years.

No doubt the Super GT entry will be much less expensive to run than a full WRC team and besides, it would be a shame to reassign those Subaru racing engineers to the accounting department.

[Source: Nihon Car]

As promised, Subaru debuted its 2010 Legacy model at the New York Auto Show and there’s a lot to talk about. 

The car is based on an entirely new platform that has a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase than the previous model for a total of 108.3-inches. Height and width are also up by 3.2-inches and 3.6-inches respectively. Vehicle length has increased by just 1.4-inches.

The benefits of the platform are seen mostly inside, with rear seat legroom increasing by 4-inches.

Also new for 2010 are several of the engines.

The Legacy 2.5i models (the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Limited) will all get a 2.5-liter boxer engine that makes 170 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm. A new six-sped manual will come standard with a“Lineartronic” CVT transmission optional. Subaru says both trannies will offer better acceleration and fuel economy.

Legacy 2.5GT models (2.5GT Premium and 2.5GT Limited) will come equipped with a new turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine with the turbocharger mounted below the engine for better response, improved emissions and a better center of gravity. Power is rated at 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, an increase of 22hp and 17 ft-lbs of torque over the outgoing model. Subaru says the 2.5GT will be able to hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds.

The 2.5GT models will also come standard with a new 6-speed manual transmission that is more than 50 lbs lighter than the one in the 2009 Legacy 2.5GT spec.B.

As for the top level 3.6R models (3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited), they will feature a new 3.6-liter boxer engine that makes 256hp and 247 ft-lbs of torque – an increase of 11hp and 32 ft-lbs over the ‘09 model. All 3.6R models get a five speed automatic transmission and only require regular octane fuel (not premium).

The suspension setup for the 2010 Legacy also gets an adjustment – as promised. The front maintains it’s MacPherson-type strut setup, while the rear gets a double-wishbone setup (as opposed to the old multi-link design). This, says Subaru, gives the 2010 Legacy a better ride, along with improved stability and handling.

GALLERY: 2010 Subaru Legacy

More on the 2010 Subaru Legacy after the jump:

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Subaru has decided not to wait until the show floor opens in New York next week to unveil the 2010 Legacy.

The new Legacy isn’t quite as bold a beast as the concept car first shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, but it is quite a looker – which is rare from Subaru.

The car is based on an entirely new platform that has a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase than the previous model for a total of 108.3-inches. Height and width are also up by 3.2-inches and 3.6-inches respectively. Vehicle length has increased by just 1.4-inches.

The benefits of the platform are seen mostly inside, with rear seat legroom increasing by 4-inches.

Also new for 2010 are several of the engines.

The Legacy 2.5i models (the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Limited) will all get a 2.5-liter boxer engine that makes 170 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm. A new six-sped manual will come standard with a “Lineartronic” CVT transmission optional. Subaru says both trannies will offer better acceleration and fuel economy.

Legacy 2.5GT models (2.5GT Premium and 2.5GT Limited) will come equipped with a new turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine with the turbocharger mounted below the engine for better response, improved emissions and a better center of gravity. Power is rated at 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, an increase of 22hp and 17 ft-lbs of torque over the outgoing model. Subaru says the 2.5GT will be able to hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds.

The 2.5GT models will also come standard with a new 6-speed manual transmission that is more than 50 lbs lighter than the one in the 2009 Legacy 2.5GT spec.B.

As for the top level 3.6R models (3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited), they will feature a new 3.6-liter boxer engine that makes 256hp and 247 ft-lbs of torque – an increase of 11hp and 32 ft-lbs over the ’09 model. All 3.6R models get a five speed automatic transmission and only require regular octane fuel (not premium).

The suspension setup for the 2010 Legacy also gets an adjustment – as promised. The front maintains it’s MacPherson-type strut setup, while the rear gets a double-wishbone setup (as opposed to the old multi-link design). This, says Subaru, gives the 2010 Legacy a better ride, along with improved stability and handling.

We’ll bring you more details from the New York Auto Show starting April 8th.

GALLERY: 2010 Subaru Legacy

More on the 2010 Subaru Legacy After the jump:

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Subaru unveiled its progressive-looking Legacy Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and now it is expected to use the New York International Auto Show to showcase the production model.

The rumor of the N.Y. debut started after a Subaru dealer apparently leaked information on the production model Legacy on the North American Subaru Imprezza Owners Club (NASIOC) forum. The information was subsequently removed, however, at the behest of Subaru of America.

According to a post on AutoBlog, the new 2010 Legacy will be available with a 3.6-liter H6 as well as an upgraded 2.5-liter turbo powerplant with a more powerful turbo. Transmission choices will be either a six-speed manual or a CVT box.

The report also states that the new Legacy will forgo the current rear multi-link setup for a double-wishbone setup.

Inside the GT Premium and Limited trims will get an electric parking rake, an iPod interface and Bluetooth connectivity. Outside, 18-inch wheels will be offered as well as six new colors.

Cargo capacity will be significantly improved as well, due in part to a 3.6-inch wider body. This increase in width will also significantly improve rear seat room – with rear seat leg room gaining four inches as well.

We’ll bring you live updates from the New York Auto Show starting April 8th, including plenty of pictures to see if the 2010 Legacy looks anything like the concept.

GALLERY: Subaru Legacy Concept

[Source: NASIOC via AutoBlog]