Subaru-Legacy.com
| Known primarily as the wagon
that spawned the Outback, the Legacy is the oldest nameplate in the
Subaru lineup, dating back to 1990. In recent years, it has been living
in the shadow of its armored-wagon offspring. Starved for power and
features, the 2000-2004 Legacy wagon was what you bought if you couldn't
afford one of Volkswagen's expensive Passat 4Motion wagons, and/or
you wouldn't be caught dead in a Taurus. The sedan, meanwhile, offered
a winter-friendly alternative to the Accord and Camry, but had little
else to distinguish it in the cutthroat family sedan segment. Happily,
Subaru has given buyers more reasons to consider its midsize sedan
and wagon for 2005: The redesigned Legacy has slimmed down, powered
up and slipped into some more stylish threads. Some of the biggest news is under the hood, as GT models feature a modified version of the WRX STi's 2.5-liter turbocharged engine rated for 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Although the continued absence of six-cylinder power in the Legacy might seem like a blow, rest assured that you won't miss it. The turbo four responds with the heart and refinement of a much larger steed. Meanwhile, power delivery rivals V6 engines for smoothness, and the engine is quiet at cruising speeds. For buyers on a tighter budget, Subaru continues to offer a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Output has not improved by much; horsepower maxes out at 168 (163 in PZEV-mandated states like California). You can however expect better acceleration this year, as all Legacys lost roughly 100 pounds in the redesign, thanks to the increased use of lighter, stronger materials like aluminum. Additionally, engineers fiddled with the gearing to improve the shift response of the automatic transmission. All-wheel drive remains a staple of the 2005 Legacy lineup, but this is no longer a vehicle that will appeal only to those living in cold climates. Subaru's midsize car has always been known for its fine handling, but this time around the company wanted it behave to like a sporty entry-luxury car. Accordingly, both the sedan and wagon ride beautifully on the highway, while providing a high level of entertainment on twisty back roads. Style and luxury were never within the previous Legacy's grasp, but no apologies need be made for the new cockpits, which are some of the best-looking designs in this price range. They don't break any new ground in styling, but one can't help but like the symmetrical dash design, convincing faux aluminum trim, electroluminescent gauges and three-spoke Momo steering wheel found in GT models. Materials quality is excellent -- you could buy a Legacy and feel like you got a VW. Everything about the way the new Legacy looks, feels and drives is so much more cohesive and satisfying than before. Don't buy a TSX or Mazda 6 without trying this Subaru first. |
The Subaru Legacy is property of the Subaru Autombile Corporation, feel
free to visit their website at: www.Subaru.com