Subaru Legacy (2002-2004) Review

On the road

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The Legacy is very user-friendly and easy to manouevre, even if it does feel a little low-down compared to more bulbous, high-roofed modern saloons and estates. Vision all round is good, and both the manual and automatic gearboxes are very competent. The four-wheel drive powertrain gives an impression of security and stability, and inspires confidence; the handling is sharp, responsive and predictable. It might look like a sensible, middle-aged plodder, but the Legacy's rally heritage and the genes of the Impreza WRX, aren't far from the surface. The steering is well-weighted, the recent suspension revisions have provided even more agility, and it has the potential for proper sporting performance, especially with the 4-Cam and H6 engines. The Legacy is even worth mentioning in the same breath as the BMW 3-Series as a drivers' car, though it hasn't got quite the same degree of gadgets, gizmos and so on - a six-speed sports gearbox for the 4-Cam would put it properly up there with the Germans.

The Legacy was originally Subaru's rally contender in the days pre-Impreza, and even the base 2.0-litre engine is no slouch. The high-revving 2.5 4-Cam, although seemingly innocuous around town, is both refined on the motorway and willing on the back roads, with more than enough power to take on similarly-powered Passats, A4s, 3-Series and C-Classes. The flat-four engine still sounds distinctive, and doesn't run short of puff if you use the gears right, though the power output is quite low for a 2.5-litre unit; the 3.0-litre H6 - a flat-six, just like a Porsche - is more flexible at higher speeds (see separate road test for more on this model) and has a lot more torque.