Subaru must have an interesting take on the current car market. In recent years, they've seen droves of Americans overshoot what they needed on their way to what they wanted - moose-like, 4WD sport-utes with more off-road capabilities than their drivers, and less fuel efficiency than the average locomotive. For whatever reasons, the tide seems to be turning, and car-based all-wheel-drive vehicles are becoming in vogue. Many snow-belters are finding out that the best of all worlds is all-wheel drive (so they don't get stuck) but installed in a car (and not a big truck). Basically, the market is coming back to where Subaru has been all along.
, ranging from the Impreza compact to the midsize Outback and Legacy. All new for 2005, this is the fourth generation Legacy, and it's available in four trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, GT and GT Limited. We test-drove a loaded
GT Limited model in the wintery weather of upstate New York.
Powertrains Subaru's quartet of Legacy sedans can be split along engine lines. The 2.5i and 2.5i Limited are powered by a normally aspirated, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, horizonatally-opposed (boxer) engine, good for 168 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque. The Legacy GT and GT Limited enjoy a big-time advantage in power thanks to a turbocharged, intercooled, version of the standard motor that weighs in with 250 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm.
The turbo engine is essentially a hand-me-
up from the Legacy's "little" brother, the Impreza WRX STi. Let's be clear - as applied to the Legacy GT, this motor is not the full-zoot screamer that makes the STi arguably the most fun car ever to wear a clothes rack on its trunk. But, even with 50 fewer horses and a weight handicap, the Legacy GT is well served by the turbo-powered boxer four.
As proof, Subaru claims that the GT with the five-speed stick shift approaches the mid-five second range for 0-60 acceleration time. This qualifies as seriously quick and the torque-friendly boxer engine doesn't suffer from the peakiness that plagues many small-displacement, high-powered mills. Turbo lag is modest, the car comes off the line with ease, and wakes up with a burst as engine revs crest 2,500 rpm. The motor responds best when stirred with a manual, even in this case, when the manual isn't particularly stirring. Though our test car was equipped with the optional, short-throw manual shifter, the action felt vague and not especially short. If this powertrain combo were a couple on the dance floor, you'd say that the engine was definitely leading.
Mileage-wise, the GT weighs in at 19 city/25 highway. Those who opt for the normally aspirated 2.5i models will save some coin at the pumps - the EPA rates the 2.5i with the manual transmission at 23 mpg city/30 highway. Plus, in California and the New England region, this thriftier motor is rated as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV).
Photos: © Dan Lyons 2005
All-wheel driveIn cars equipped with a manual transmission, like our GT Limited test vehicle, Subaru's all-wheel-drive system uses a viscous-coupling locking center differential. The system parses the power in an even 50/50 split between the front and rear wheels, shifting engine torque fore or aft as needed when slippage is detected.
In practice, a little winter weather driving is all it takes to endorse the benefits of AWD. In our northeastern test location, you don't have to wait too long for foul weather when the days turn cold and short, and when the Subaru arrived a six-inch burst of snow followed on its heels.
Wearing just its street shoes (all-season tires), the 2005 Subaru Legacy GT proved surefooted as it traversed the slushy roads in the plow's wake. The added grip of a set of four snow tires would improve stopping more than going, and a Legacy so shod would be an even more formidable winter driver. On days when the pavement was dry, we found that the GT demonstrated balanced handling, impressive road feel, and a comfortable, trip-worthy ride quality.
Photos: © Dan Lyons 2005
InteriorThe 2005 Subaru Legacy's interior shows an upgrade in materials over models past and the design hangs together nicely. This is especially true in top-level Limiteds, which feature leather trimmed upholstery, a MOMO three-spoke steering wheel, a power moonroof, and power front seats with eight-way driver adjustment. A nice touch on GT models is a set of electroluminescent gauges, but lacking on the upscale scale is availability of a navigation system. When cars approach the 30-large threshold, which our tester surpassed at $30,082 delivered, most buyers expect at least the
option of having a nav system.
Seating is comfortable and sized for adults. Six-footers will find that room in back starts to run tight if like-size people are riding in front. The trunk measures 11.4 cubic feet of capacity - not overly large, but well shaped for cargo. Liftover height is low, and there is a pass-through for long, skinny items, but the rear seats don't fold - a surprising lack of utility from a company that trades in that commodity.
Photos: © Dan Lyons 2005
Wrap-upSubaru seems well positioned to benefit from the latest trend toward all-wheel-drive cars. As Americans trade out of their mega-utes and into wagons and sedans, the company stands ready with a competent and pleasing range of all-wheel-drive options. And though many
new sedans find their way to market equipped with all-wheel drive - putting them in the same competitive set as Subaru - Subaru's edge in this segment is two-fold. First, 250 horsepower in GT and GT Limited models is a power ante that few AWD models in its price range can match. Second, all-wheel-drive technology is not
new technology to Subaru.
This one-two combination ought to help the company gain traction in a slippery sales climate.
Photos: © Dan Lyons 2005
Specs and FAQsTest Vehicle:
2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited
Engine Size and Type: 2.5-liter horizonatally-opposed four-cylinder engine
Engine Horsepower: 250 at 6,000 rpm
Engine Torque: 250 at 3,600 rpm
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 19/25
Competitors:
Audi A4 2.0 quattro, BMW 325xi,
Chrysler 300 AWD,
Dodge Magnum AWD,
Ford Five Hundred AWD,
Infiniti G35x,
Jaguar X-Type, Mazda mazdaspeed 6, Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4Matic, Mercury Montego AWD, Volkswagen Passat 4Motion, Volvo S60 AWD
Frequently Asked Questions:What's new for the 2005 Subaru Legacy?
For 2005, the Subaru Legacy is all new, the fourth generation of Legacy in North America. Subaru's midsize sedan is about 2 inches longer outside, with a redesigned interior. The 2.5i and 2.5i Limited models run with a 168-hp boxer four-cylinder while GT and GT Limiteds get a turbocharged, 250-hp four.
What are the 2005 Subaru Legacy's plus/minus factors?
All-wheel-drive traction and 250-hp action lead the upside for GT models, with a dressier cabin a real bonus for Limiteds. Lack of a navigation system or other, optional electronic wizardry are potential downsides, and without a folding rear seat the Legacy limits what you can bring along.
Photos: © Dan Lyons 2005
