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Driving Impressions

The Legacy impresses as a solid and tight sedan that inspires confidence when the going gets nasty. Indeed, we know Subaru owners who have literally beaten the tar out of their cars and they just keep going.

Being a bit smaller than the segment volume leaders gives the Legacy a distinct edge in urban traffic as it feels much smaller and will always fit through a narrow lane. Not until you've tried to park something six inches too big do you realize a prime benefit of compact external dimensions.

And since it's a tad smaller, the Legacy tends to run a shade lighter as well, with a six-cylinder all-wheel-drive Legacy about the same or lighter than V6 front-drive versions of the mass market midsize sedans: Altima, Accord, Camry, Malibu. Finally, with the Subaru's horizontally opposed engine layout (cylinders lay flat), the weight can be kept down lower, and a lower center of gravity aids response, stability and braking.

Each of the three engines has different characteristics that change the character of the car to some extent.

Power from the 2.5i models (170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque) is about par for the course and similar to the Camry et al. A four-speed automatic is available and it comes with the same fuel economy rating, but the five-speed manual makes the best of what's available.

It's a relatively easy manual to drive, with an anti-stall feature built into the engine management system to detect impending stalls and bump the throttle a bit. Clutch action is smooth and progressive, and the shifter works much better if you take your time rather than trying to rush it.

Suspension on the base model leans to comfort, with the travel to absorb relatively large bumps with ease; the primary detractors are the 17-inch wheels and low-profile tires. Having a solid structure to work from allows the engineers to deliver a good blend of compliant ride and good handling.

Steering is direct and lightens up at highway cruise speeds, cornering grip is quite satisfactory, bumpy corners telegraph to the driver but don't upset the car. Skilled drivers may find electronic stability control isn't necessary; all-wheel drive makes this a stable car with predictable handling. The Legacy does notice crosswinds and tractor-trailer turbulence, but like bumpy corners, these merely make you aware something is changed.

On the 2.5i Limited, electric windshield de-icing thaws blades frozen to the glass much faster than the defroster will, so you'll spend less time scraping or sitting and not burn up the wiper motor.

With the all-wheel drive and good safety ratings, the $21,000 2.5i makes a compelling argument for sending recent high-school graduates to school in the snow belt or using as commuter where the roads are often marginal.

GT models are powered by a similar flat-four 2.5-liter that has been turbocharged, gaining 73 hp and 71 lb-ft of torque, the latter at a very usable 3600 rpm. The GTs rate 19/25 mpg with the manual and 18/24 with the automatic, but test vagaries mean it's easy to better automatic highway numbers.

A five-speed manual gearbox is standard and well mated to the engine. On twisty roads taken quickly you may find that using a gear higher than you normally would brings the smoothest drive as there is still vast midrange torque but it comes on more progressively, and the less sudden any change is applied to a tire, the better it grips and goes.

GT automatics use the same all-wheel-drive system as the 3.0R, called Variable Torque Distribution, controlled by electronics that nominally ladles out 45 percent of power to the front wheels and 55 percent to the rear wheels to help give some rear-drive feel to it. No one will mistake a Legacy for a rear-drive car, but it does feel good from the driver's seat and automatically adjusts to changing conditions.

The five-speed automatic is properly calibrated to give the right gear at the right time, near sea

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