- Price: $22,495
- Gas mileage: 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway
Despite being one of the larger cars on this list with the extra weight of all-wheel drive, the Legacy 2.5i falls right into the middle of the pack for fuel economy.
Not only helpful in snow, but also on rain-soaked and muddy roads, all-wheel drive is almost a must-have for teenagers in the snow belt. It's standard on Legacy.
A continuously variable automatic transmission ushers production from the 173-horsepower horizontally opposed 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to the wheels.
The 2.5 Premium is priced here, but the entry-level 2.5i costs $2,200 less and includes such goodies as auto headlights, keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker audio system with iPod interface. Stepping up to the Legacy Premium adds a power-adjustable driver's seat and an enhanced six-speaker audio system.