Subaru Legacy 2.0 GT Wagon

By Craig Cheetham

June 2003

The lack of a diesel hasn't helped, but the main reason the car hasn't sold well is a lack of appreciation. In a market where cup-holders, seat warmers and DVD players rule the roost, the eminently driveable Subaru loses all the "mine's better than yours" arguments.

And that's a shame, because while it might not have the sporting appeal of its sibling, the Impreza WRX, the car has always been a subtle yet satisfying contender. The Legacy may have a reputation as the transport of choice for farmers' wives, but if that's so, then these women enjoy their driving.

Now, the outgoing model's utilitarian appeal is under threat from a replacement that looks like a cross between a Mazda 6 and a Lexus IS200. The new Legacy is a mix of flowing curves, fat wheels and crystalised light clusters, which might be too generic for some, but the harmonious lines and tight panel gaps mean the newcomer is a pleasant enough car to look at. The designers have reworked the inside, too - and the influences are obvious. The central air vents are Volvo-esque, the cubby beside the handbrake is similar to that of the BMW 3-Series and the backlit dials are just as annoying as those in the Toyota Avensis. Switch the lights on if it's slightly dull, and you can't see in the instrument binnacle. The interior is far better, but it's no class leader.

The high-quality leather trim and an excellent driving position make for a comfortable cabin. Head and legroom in the estate - which accounts for more than 85 per cent of Legacy sales in the UK - is generous, as is the luggage area. The boot is marginally smaller than that of the current model, but there's also additional underfloor storage.

Our car boasted a 260bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, and this model arrives here in 2004 once the exhaust emissions have been reduced. Until then, we'll have a choice of 2.0 or 2.5-litre normally aspirated fours, or a 3.0-litre six, all with horizontally opposed cylinders and a lovely Boxer growl.

But can the new version match the old Legacy's driver appeal? In a word, yes. It has phenomenal grip, while the 4WD chassis is easy to balance. However, the steering feels detached, with too much assistance at higher speeds, while the optional Tiptronic transmission refuses to hurry on downshifts. The manual gearboxes have a crisp change with well spaced ratios, but the heavy clutch will be a pain in town.

Overall, though, the Legacy is a fine machine - fresher and more youthful. And while the lack of a diesel engine is a huge omission, in all other respects the new car is much more attractive.

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