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Used choice: Subaru Legacy Outback

Unconventional workhorse

Sharing its chassis with the Legacy, the jacked-up Outback estate is practical and tough, as well as capable off-road

Subaru Legacy Outback

03rd November 2006

And with fuel prices still high, now is a good time to buy, as the petrol-only Subaru sits firmly in the shadow of its Swedish and German 4x4 rivals – making it great value second-hand.

 
But finding one is difficult, because owners are loyal and late used examples are invariably retained within the Subaru dealer network, where there’s usually a long list of keen buyers waiting
Forget the Volvo XC70 and Audi Allroad – the Subaru Legacy Outback was the world’s first crossover 4x4. Sharing its chassis with the Legacy, the jacked-up estate is practical and tough, as well as capable off-road.

And with fuel prices still high, now is a good time to buy, as the petrol-only Subaru sits firmly in the shadow of its Swedish and German 4x4 rivals – making it great value second-hand.

But finding one is difficult, because owners are loyal and late used examples are invariably retained within the Subaru dealer network, where there’s usually a long list of keen buyers waiting. Track one down and the raised ride height and all-wheel-drive set-up provide all the off-road ability you’ll ever need. The long travel suspension means it rides superbly, too.

Watch out for scuffed plastic wheelarch extensions and for missed services – dealer maintenance can be expensive. Some owners put them to heavy use, too, so check for worn interiors.

A powerful 3.0-litre flat-six arrived in 2000, but the less thirsty 2.5-litre unit is a better all-rounder. Post-2003 models (above) get improved styling and are available in a single colour finish, rather than the two-tone look of earlier cars.

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Subaru Legacy Outback stats

Produced from: 1996 to date
Price range: £2,000 to £27,000
Engines: 2.5-litre flat-four, 148bhp (162bhp from 2003); 3.0-litre flat-six, 207bhp (241bhp from 2003)
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