Before I had some fun in a new Impreza STI I test drove the 2010 Legacy.

The Electric Handbrake - yes a small button that engadges it is on the right where the fog light switches should be. OK it does the "Hill holder" thing and turns its self off when you pull away.

You have look for it - its not natural. A normal handbrake is to hand, you feel the tension in the cable when you apply it. On a steep hill you give it an extra pull. Not just push a little button and see a little red light come on.

In traffic you stop, handbrake on, out of gear - to do this with the electric handbrake at the same time you are both hands off the wheel.

Its not natural - another Subaru design ERROR

 

it was done for the american market, i do agree they could have put it in a more natural place though. it is clever though puts out nearly 1000nm of pressure when it comes on, and it also has to have the clutch set up electronically otherwise when the hill holder releases it could release the handbrake to soon and you roll in to the car behind you!!

 

its not just subaru> i have a foot parking brake on a mercedes van> Its awful for pulling off at junctions uphill with a full load on or towing. Means all the work has to be done with the clutch. The park brake is either on or off with it theres no half way to hold you as your letting the clutch out

 

I think it's great! You have so much more space now between the seats where the lever has gone, the only down side I can find is that you can't do handbrake turns in the snow!