The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has been conducting bumper tests on moderately-priced vehicles to show how they stack up in a low-speed crash.

The previous generation Subaru Legacy, specifically model years 2007-2009, didn't hold up so well when it was tested. It was given a rating of POOR because it sustained over $4,000 in damage from a full-frontral test and averaged a little over $2,000 from all 4 tests.

The 2010 Legacy did much better though. It sustained about $850 worth of damage from the full-frontal test, and had an average cost of $855 from all 4 tests.

"Subaru made some simple changes to the Legacy's front bumper," said Institute senior vice president Joe Nolan, "and they paid off in significantly lower repair costs."

 

The main difference is that the 2010 Legacy's front reinforcement bar is a little taller, more than 6 inches wider, and more than 1½ inches higher off the ground. This kept the Legacy's bumper engaged with the barrier during the test, preventing it from sliding under the barrier. Plus the bumper bar extends to the corners to help protect headlights and fenders.

The institute does a full-frontal, front-corner, full-rear, and rear-corner test on each model and then evaluates the level of damage. The front and rear full-width impacts are done at 6 mph and front and rear corner impacts are at 3 mph.

The images above and below show the 2010 and 2007 Legacy after they were tested.

Source: IIHS