Technical

The Legacy has a menu that includes two engine choices. The first is the normally aspirated 2.5L flat 4-cylinder engine that has been offered as standard equipment for all Subarus since 2002. In the Legacy, it develops 168 hp at 5 600 rpm and 166 lb/ft of torque at 4 000 rpm. The other is a turbocharged version of the big horizontally opposed 4 cylinder. The extra boost generates a grin-inducing 250 hp at 6 000 rpm and 250 lb/ft of torque at 3 600 rpm. Both motors get a standard 5-speed manual transmission. The GT's receives a little more attention to be able to withstand the extra grunt. A 4-speed automatic transmission is optional with the base engine while the turbo gets a 5-speed autobox. Both automatics have a manual mode called SportShift. Like the rest of Subaru's line-up, the Legacys inherit the Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and the GTs get a rear-locking differential.

On the road

The turbocharged engine is incontestably powerful. The intensity with which the car bursts forward could almost be considered dangerous in winter conditions. Aided by fabulous Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, traction off the line is very sharp even on the slipperiest of surfaces. At this point, the situation becomes a little less interesting. The brake pedal is very soft and its travel is very long. The response is not as instantaneous as I would like it and after a few repeated braking exercises, I also began to notice some fade. It is clear that an automobile with so much power and traction requires better than average brakes. The ABS system is very un-intrusive though; it will actually permit some wheel lock before the pump begins its work.

As is usually the case, the downside to truckloads of power is loads of fuel. The best average I was able to manage was 14.6L/100 km. The worst was 21L/100 km, and believe me, it could have been much worse. To the big engine and turbo, winter driving conditions always increase consumption. In the later case, 21L is huge, almost ridiculous. I think the first item that should be addressed is the lack of a 6th gear for the manual transmission. Cruising at 115 km/h in 5th gear involves 3 000 rpm from the thirsty beast. At these speeds, steering becomes a little light but it does not loose any of its fine precision.

A Boxer engine has a very distinctive sound and I really enjoy it. To me, a mildly modified (i.e. exhaust system and cold air intake) flat-4 makes me wish that I had the budget to practice pendulums and get my hands on a Terra-trip, but I digress. The problem with the resonance of the motor is that it is a little too loud and raucous. Most people that can afford a $40,000 automobile are looking for something quiet, calm, luxurious and powerful. With a Legacy, they will get the muscle and the opulence; however they will not get the peace and quiet if that's what they are looking for. I think the Legacy 2.5 GT Limited could be considered a rogue lavish car.

The Subarus are cars with undeniable winter condition driving qualitiesbecause of their ruggedness and AWD system. However, during my stint with the Legacy, I experienced hard starting and frozen power steering. The outside temperature was in the range of only -10 degrees. I have to admit to being very discouraged as the hard steering seemed unwarranted for a brand new car with only 5 000 km on the clock. Over the last 6 years, I cannot recall ever encountering this in any other car. The windows were also extremely slow to operate.