Subaru

Legacy/Legacy Tourer

Whether powered by petrol or a Boxer diesel engine, the Legacy is guaranteed to offer a great ride. Powerful and jam packed with features, the head-turning vehicle is available in saloon or tourer format.

Test Drive

Subaru Legacy 2.5i SE NavPlus

It may be celebrating its twenty something anniversary but, believe me, there’s nothing dated about the new Subaru Legacy.

Packed to bursting with quality, stylish technology and delivering a brilliant all-round performance, this is one of those cars that I really struggled to find fault with.

Admittedly, it’s not cheap with an asking price just shy of £29.3k, but there is nothing cheap about its build, technology or performance, and sometimes you simply have to pay for quality.

With its all-wheel-drive and the renowned Subaru Boxer petrol-driven engine, the vehicle’s ability to perform is never in question.

It hugs the road for fun – even at faster speeds or on slippery surfaces.

The 2.5-litre engine delivers ample power as it cruises smoothly and effortlessly through the Lineartronic transmission and all-round visibility is excellent. The Legacy also proved very agile in busy congested traffic and parking was surprisingly easy.

Cabin noise is remarkably quiet even at higher speeds or on uneven roads and the comfort levels can be compared to that of any luxury model in our showrooms today.

There is bags of room for all the family and luggage space is plentiful throughout offering all occupants a comfortable and safe ride.

The new Legacy is longer than its predecessors which means designers have been able to give it a bolder, more eye-catching stance and the all-new larger seats offer comfort levels similar to that of your favourite armchair. The driver’s seat – heated and leather of course – can be adjusted 10 ways including lumbar support.

Other creature comforts include keyless stop start, paddle shift controls on the multi-function sports steering wheel, rear-view camera, sat nav, sunroof, cruise control and a brilliant audio system which is compatible with all today’s technical devices.

One cannot fail to be impressed with the interior design of the vehicle with its all leather trim and very neat controls. There is a central stack in brushed silver and the main read-outs above the steering wheel have blue and black dials with aluminium surrounds that have a 3D effect.

Safety features are very comprehensive too with anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, hill-hold function which is always a must with an automatic handbrake, plenty of airbags, a reinforced body and plenty more besides.

All in all, if the Legacy continues to improve it will still be around when its forty-something.