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:

Legacy 2.5i 6MT 19 mpg city / 22 mpg combined / 27 mpg hwy
Legacy 2.5i CVT 23 mpg city / 26 mpg combined / 31 mpg hwy
Legacy 2.5GT 6MT 18 mpg city / 21 mpg combined / 25 mpg hwy
Legacy 3.6R 5AT 18 mpg city / 21 mpg combined / 25 mpg hwy