Road Test
Wrap-Up
Why We Bought It
How It Drove
Inside the Cabin
Summing Up
Changes to the Legacy Since 2005
Ups and Downs
Recalls and Problem History
Dealer Service Reviews
What Consumers Say
Why We Bought It
The Legacy used to be a headline act. For years following its 1989 introduction, it was Subaru's flagship. The Legacy won this honor primarily because it offered an affordable all-wheel-drive package at a time when all-wheel-drive cars were relatively rare.
But then things changed. By the late '90s, Subaru had begun outfitting all its U.S. cars with all-wheel drive. The manufacturer also introduced tempting new models like the Forester and the cheetah-fast WRX.
Suddenly, the Legacy wasn't so special. The onetime leading lady was reduced to a bit part in the Subaru lineup, elbowed into the shadows by younger, fresher competition.
Subaru noticed. Hoping to spur the Legacy's comeback, it graced the car with its very own extreme makeover. The 2005 Legacy benefited from a bevy of upgrades, including a 250-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a spiffy new interior.
The manufacturer had big dreams for its newly remade star. Subaru confidently touted the '05 Legacy as a competitor to premium all-wheel-drive sedans and wagons like Audi's A4, BMW's 3 Series and Volvo's S40 and V50.
Was the born-again Legacy worthy of such grand praise? We were dying to find out, so we added one to our long-term fleet.
A loaded Legacy GT wagon can easily run upwards of $30,000. We felt that most Subie shoppers make value a priority, so we chose a modestly optioned 2.5 GT sedan with a five-speed manual transmission.
Our final cost was a mere $26,851. For that price, leather seats and a sunroof were absent. But our Subie didn't feel naked. It was nicely decked with standard features like antilock brakes, keyless entry, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated seats and mirrors, and a six-disc CD changer.
And of course, our Legacy offered the feature that's become a Subaru signature: full-time all-wheel drive. Our lone option was an equipment group that included a compass, security system and auto-dimming mirror.
How It Drove
Our zippy Legacy offered an incredible amount of get-up-and-go. Editor in Chief Karl Brauer noted that "the engine's smooth, refined delivery, along with the 250 horsepower, definitely puts the price required to get a 225-hp BMW into question."
"With minimal turbo lag off the line, the 2.5-liter engine has an intoxicating power band that runs all the way to redline," remarked another editor. "And with the smooth-shifting manual transmission, it's hard not to want to wind it out every time."
The Legacy's suspension also won kudos. "The car has a smooth, comfortable ride that never feels too firm or too soft — it's great for road tripping," said Senior Content Editor Erin Riches.
Karl's opinions on this aspect were more mixed. "I wouldn't mind a stiffer ride to go along with the car's horsepower and confident steering. But for most customers, this car's suspension tuning will be ideal."
Steering was first-rate, with high levels of feedback. "The steering feels very tight and is properly weighted, inspiring confidence on twisty roads," noted Karl.
Just don't look to the Legacy for true sport sedan performance. Senior Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig enjoyed the Legacy's feel around town, but found it too soft for serious cornering. "It's got the guts to go fast, but the suspension caves too easily when pushed. The tires give up early and it rolls too much to really rip corners."
Many owners purchase the Legacy with the expectation that it'll hold its own in rough weather. They won't be disappointed.
Erin noted that pouring rain was no match for the nimble sedan. "The all-wheel-drive system responded promptly when the tires began to slip. In fact, the grip was so good that I was reluctant to reduce speed."
Senior Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed was able to navigate a snow-covered back road with no loss of traction. "It was obvious that the Legacy's all-wheel-drive system knew right where the power needed to go."
Our full test of the Legacy wagon pointed out that the vehicle's optional automatic transmission was a real drag on engine power. What a difference a manual tranny makes. Our sedan's stick-shift transmission helped earn the Legacy favorable comparisons to the highly regarded Mazda 6.
"After spending a weekend with the car, I've decided I like the Legacy more than the Mazda 6," said one editor. "It feels smaller and the handling is sharper. This is one of the better manual gearboxes in this price range."
But the car's transmission wasn't without shortcomings. Many editors found the Legacy's clutch "finicky." And Erin reported that it was "all too easy to slip the clutch unintentionally when accelerating up steep inclines — a common annoyance in manual-shift cars but seemingly more pronounced in our long-term car."
Inside the Cabin
Our editors found the '05 Legacy's cabin incredibly functional, and significantly more stylish than that of its predecessor. They especially admired its gauges and clean center stack.
"What I really like," said Karl, "is how the gauges all max out briefly when you first start the car. That's a trait of high-performance vehicles, though many people may not know it. I like this subtle reference to the car's performance capabilities."
But the cabin of our revamped Legacy doesn't quite reach entry-luxury territory. Our editors reported that some of its interior plastics fall short of this standard.
"Subaru's going to have to try a bit harder," said one editor. "Some elements of the cabin felt cheap. You wouldn't find this in a 3 Series, and certainly not in an A4. Subaru needs to put its money where its mouth is if it hopes to market the Legacy as an entry-luxury vehicle."
With its reasonably spacious backseat, the Legacy is well equipped for family duty. "Two big car seats fit fine," reported Senior Editor Scott Oldham.
But he offered this caveat: "The LATCH bars are really buried, which makes car seat installation labor intensive."
Our Legacy's windshield suffered some damage, having been cracked (through no fault of its own) by an errant pebble. We had the windshield replaced for just over $350.
Summing Up
Though its clutch garnered a few gripes, the Legacy's gutsy engine, well-weighted steering and winning suspension made it a joy to pilot around town. Its all-wheel-drive system competently handled rain and snow.
After flogging it around turns, we discovered the Subie falls shy of sport sedan status. But as a family sedan, it delivers all you'd expect and more.
Attractive yet functional, the new Legacy's cockpit won praise from our editors. They deemed the cabin more appealing than that of any generation that came before it. But many felt that materials quality needs an upgrade if Subaru wants the Legacy to be taken seriously as an entry-luxury vehicle.
Despite LATCH bars that were somewhat challenging to locate, the Legacy's roomy backseat was ideally suited for family transportation. Kids and car seats were accommodated with ease and comfort.
Will the retooled Legacy have the Germans casting anxious glances in their rearview mirrors? Probably not — the spunky Subie needs a bit more refinement if it hopes to meet the carmaker's expectations and carve a place for itself in the entry-luxury sport sedan category.
But with its affordable price and high "fun-to-drive" quotient, the Legacy is a strong choice for those seeking a value-packed and enjoyable family sedan.
True Market Value at service end: $20,477
Depreciation (after 22 months): $6,374 or 24% of original paid price
Final Odometer Reading: 18,129
Best Fuel Economy: 25.2 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 15.4 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 20.3 mpg
Total Body Repair Costs: $362.85 (replaced cracked windshield)
Total Routine Maintenance Costs: $115.99
Additional Maintenance Costs: None
Warranty Repairs: None
Non-Warranty Repairs: None
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: None
Days Out of Service: 1
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None
Changes to the Subaru Legacy Since 2005
Legacys with normally aspirated engines now feature a new variable-valve-lift system that gives a slight boost to horsepower and torque (now up to 175 hp and 169 lb-ft). A new DVD-based navigation system has been made available on selected trim levels.
The trim levels themselves have also been revised. The 2.5 GT trim has been dropped (leaving the GT Limited), but base Legacy 2.5i sedans and wagons boast larger wheels, stronger brakes, an air filtration system and an engine immobilizer as standard equipment for 2006.
Ups and Downs
Ups: Gutsy 250-horsepower engine, magnificent handling around town, exemplary value, universally competent all-wheel-drive system.
Downs: Mediocre quality of interior materials, finicky clutch, not as high-performance as we'd hoped in the turns.
The Bottom Line: Subaru hasn't quite made good on its promise to reincarnate the Legacy as an entry-luxury sport sedan. But the revamped Legacy shines as a value-packed, fun-to-drive family sedan.
Recalls and Problem History
Recalls: None
Problem History:
Santa Monica Subaru in Santa Monica, California
December 2004
We took the Legacy in to get an oil change and tire rotation. Service was satisfactory.
May 2005
We took the Legacy in to get an oil and filter change; inspect its brakes; address its squeaky clutch; replace its loose spare tire cover handle; replace its loose floor mat clip; and fix its malfunctioning cooling fan. Service was satisfactory.
What Consumers Say
"The GT is a great vehicle in many ways. It's fun to drive, practical, reasonably sized and sensibly priced. Subaru reliability is excellent (I previously owned an Impreza). After 3 months and 9,000 miles I still enjoy my car, only occasionally thinking about the Audi A4 Avant 2.0T 6M that I passed up. The Legacy is faster, roomier, more reliable and less expensive. However, the Legacy does lack some standard and optional features that I would like in a car (which are available on the A4 and the Volvo V50): xenon headlights, vehicle stability control, satellite radio, MP3 capability, adaptive cruise control, headlight washers, full-size spare tire, seat/mirror memory are all N/A." — DKNY, July 4, 2005
"This is my third Legacy…and the best, nicest, fastest, and most fun to drive yet! It turns heads everywhere I go, and performance-wise it totally hugs the road. The turbo engine and speed/handling is excellent, and the 250-hp engine is a MAJOR improvement. My wife now drives my 2002 GT Limited sedan, and she is thrilled with it as well. It puts her Accord to shame with handling, safety, performance, and styling. I'll continue to buy Subarus from here on out — they've set the standard very high for performance and safety, yet they continue to keep the cost reasonable. GO, SUBARU!" — Chris, June 25, 2005
"So far it has been excellent. The fit and finish of the interior and exterior have been awesome. I would have liked to have seen the doors close more securely, but overall it is awesome. The power of the turbo is smooth and the shift from gear to gear leaves you breathless. A+. I am glad to see more mods available to date." — Michael, May 25, 2005
"As an American muscle car owner, I was hesitant to purchase a foreign car. This car is absolutely unbelievable. The 2.5l Turbo has enough power to get down the road in style and still haul the kids and/or clients in comfort. My other car, a Chevrolet Corvette, doesn't mind sharing the garage with this little turbocharged piece of heaven." — Steve, May 14, 2005
"The GT Limited accelerates like a hot sport sedan and handles reasonably well. The front seats are very comfortable and there's plenty of room in the backseat. Both rear-seat legroom and cargo space is much better than our '99 Audi A4. The stock Bridgestone RE-92 all-season tires are a weak point. Too much initial understeer and poor on-center response. Replaced them with a set of Goodyear F-1 GS-D3s which are much better. Factory optional STi shifter is a 'must-get.' Throws are MUCH shorter and feel is MUCH better in all 5 forward gears, but it's a lot harder to get into reverse with the fast shifter. Shocks could be a little firmer — too much float at high speeds." — Subywagonguy, April 30, 2005
How It Drove
Inside the Cabin
Summing Up
Changes to the Legacy Since 2005
Ups and Downs
Recalls and Problem History
Dealer Service Reviews
What Consumers Say
Why We Bought It
The Legacy used to be a headline act. For years following its 1989 introduction, it was Subaru's flagship. The Legacy won this honor primarily because it offered an affordable all-wheel-drive package at a time when all-wheel-drive cars were relatively rare.
But then things changed. By the late '90s, Subaru had begun outfitting all its U.S. cars with all-wheel drive. The manufacturer also introduced tempting new models like the Forester and the cheetah-fast WRX.
Suddenly, the Legacy wasn't so special. The onetime leading lady was reduced to a bit part in the Subaru lineup, elbowed into the shadows by younger, fresher competition.
Subaru noticed. Hoping to spur the Legacy's comeback, it graced the car with its very own extreme makeover. The 2005 Legacy benefited from a bevy of upgrades, including a 250-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a spiffy new interior.
The manufacturer had big dreams for its newly remade star. Subaru confidently touted the '05 Legacy as a competitor to premium all-wheel-drive sedans and wagons like Audi's A4, BMW's 3 Series and Volvo's S40 and V50.
Was the born-again Legacy worthy of such grand praise? We were dying to find out, so we added one to our long-term fleet.
A loaded Legacy GT wagon can easily run upwards of $30,000. We felt that most Subie shoppers make value a priority, so we chose a modestly optioned 2.5 GT sedan with a five-speed manual transmission.
Our final cost was a mere $26,851. For that price, leather seats and a sunroof were absent. But our Subie didn't feel naked. It was nicely decked with standard features like antilock brakes, keyless entry, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated seats and mirrors, and a six-disc CD changer.
And of course, our Legacy offered the feature that's become a Subaru signature: full-time all-wheel drive. Our lone option was an equipment group that included a compass, security system and auto-dimming mirror.
How It Drove
Our zippy Legacy offered an incredible amount of get-up-and-go. Editor in Chief Karl Brauer noted that "the engine's smooth, refined delivery, along with the 250 horsepower, definitely puts the price required to get a 225-hp BMW into question."
"With minimal turbo lag off the line, the 2.5-liter engine has an intoxicating power band that runs all the way to redline," remarked another editor. "And with the smooth-shifting manual transmission, it's hard not to want to wind it out every time."
The Legacy's suspension also won kudos. "The car has a smooth, comfortable ride that never feels too firm or too soft — it's great for road tripping," said Senior Content Editor Erin Riches.
Karl's opinions on this aspect were more mixed. "I wouldn't mind a stiffer ride to go along with the car's horsepower and confident steering. But for most customers, this car's suspension tuning will be ideal."
Steering was first-rate, with high levels of feedback. "The steering feels very tight and is properly weighted, inspiring confidence on twisty roads," noted Karl.
Just don't look to the Legacy for true sport sedan performance. Senior Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig enjoyed the Legacy's feel around town, but found it too soft for serious cornering. "It's got the guts to go fast, but the suspension caves too easily when pushed. The tires give up early and it rolls too much to really rip corners."
Many owners purchase the Legacy with the expectation that it'll hold its own in rough weather. They won't be disappointed.
Erin noted that pouring rain was no match for the nimble sedan. "The all-wheel-drive system responded promptly when the tires began to slip. In fact, the grip was so good that I was reluctant to reduce speed."
Senior Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed was able to navigate a snow-covered back road with no loss of traction. "It was obvious that the Legacy's all-wheel-drive system knew right where the power needed to go."
Our full test of the Legacy wagon pointed out that the vehicle's optional automatic transmission was a real drag on engine power. What a difference a manual tranny makes. Our sedan's stick-shift transmission helped earn the Legacy favorable comparisons to the highly regarded Mazda 6.
"After spending a weekend with the car, I've decided I like the Legacy more than the Mazda 6," said one editor. "It feels smaller and the handling is sharper. This is one of the better manual gearboxes in this price range."
But the car's transmission wasn't without shortcomings. Many editors found the Legacy's clutch "finicky." And Erin reported that it was "all too easy to slip the clutch unintentionally when accelerating up steep inclines — a common annoyance in manual-shift cars but seemingly more pronounced in our long-term car."
Inside the Cabin
Our editors found the '05 Legacy's cabin incredibly functional, and significantly more stylish than that of its predecessor. They especially admired its gauges and clean center stack.
"What I really like," said Karl, "is how the gauges all max out briefly when you first start the car. That's a trait of high-performance vehicles, though many people may not know it. I like this subtle reference to the car's performance capabilities."
But the cabin of our revamped Legacy doesn't quite reach entry-luxury territory. Our editors reported that some of its interior plastics fall short of this standard.
"Subaru's going to have to try a bit harder," said one editor. "Some elements of the cabin felt cheap. You wouldn't find this in a 3 Series, and certainly not in an A4. Subaru needs to put its money where its mouth is if it hopes to market the Legacy as an entry-luxury vehicle."
With its reasonably spacious backseat, the Legacy is well equipped for family duty. "Two big car seats fit fine," reported Senior Editor Scott Oldham.
But he offered this caveat: "The LATCH bars are really buried, which makes car seat installation labor intensive."
Our Legacy's windshield suffered some damage, having been cracked (through no fault of its own) by an errant pebble. We had the windshield replaced for just over $350.
Summing Up
Though its clutch garnered a few gripes, the Legacy's gutsy engine, well-weighted steering and winning suspension made it a joy to pilot around town. Its all-wheel-drive system competently handled rain and snow.
After flogging it around turns, we discovered the Subie falls shy of sport sedan status. But as a family sedan, it delivers all you'd expect and more.
Attractive yet functional, the new Legacy's cockpit won praise from our editors. They deemed the cabin more appealing than that of any generation that came before it. But many felt that materials quality needs an upgrade if Subaru wants the Legacy to be taken seriously as an entry-luxury vehicle.
Despite LATCH bars that were somewhat challenging to locate, the Legacy's roomy backseat was ideally suited for family transportation. Kids and car seats were accommodated with ease and comfort.
Will the retooled Legacy have the Germans casting anxious glances in their rearview mirrors? Probably not — the spunky Subie needs a bit more refinement if it hopes to meet the carmaker's expectations and carve a place for itself in the entry-luxury sport sedan category.
But with its affordable price and high "fun-to-drive" quotient, the Legacy is a strong choice for those seeking a value-packed and enjoyable family sedan.
True Market Value at service end: $20,477
Depreciation (after 22 months): $6,374 or 24% of original paid price
Final Odometer Reading: 18,129
Best Fuel Economy: 25.2 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 15.4 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 20.3 mpg
Total Body Repair Costs: $362.85 (replaced cracked windshield)
Total Routine Maintenance Costs: $115.99
Additional Maintenance Costs: None
Warranty Repairs: None
Non-Warranty Repairs: None
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: None
Days Out of Service: 1
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None
Changes to the Subaru Legacy Since 2005
Legacys with normally aspirated engines now feature a new variable-valve-lift system that gives a slight boost to horsepower and torque (now up to 175 hp and 169 lb-ft). A new DVD-based navigation system has been made available on selected trim levels.
The trim levels themselves have also been revised. The 2.5 GT trim has been dropped (leaving the GT Limited), but base Legacy 2.5i sedans and wagons boast larger wheels, stronger brakes, an air filtration system and an engine immobilizer as standard equipment for 2006.
Ups and Downs
Ups: Gutsy 250-horsepower engine, magnificent handling around town, exemplary value, universally competent all-wheel-drive system.
Downs: Mediocre quality of interior materials, finicky clutch, not as high-performance as we'd hoped in the turns.
The Bottom Line: Subaru hasn't quite made good on its promise to reincarnate the Legacy as an entry-luxury sport sedan. But the revamped Legacy shines as a value-packed, fun-to-drive family sedan.
Recalls and Problem History
Recalls: None
Problem History:
- The spare-tire cover handle came loose. Subaru replaced the tire cover.
- The clutch tended to squeak when in use. Subaru was unable to duplicate the problem, so the issue was not corrected.
- The driver-side floor mat clip tended to come loose. Subaru installed a new clip.
- The cooling fan stayed on at all times. Subaru determined that the car's electronic control module had an internal malfunction, and replaced the defective part.
Santa Monica Subaru in Santa Monica, California
December 2004
We took the Legacy in to get an oil change and tire rotation. Service was satisfactory.
May 2005
We took the Legacy in to get an oil and filter change; inspect its brakes; address its squeaky clutch; replace its loose spare tire cover handle; replace its loose floor mat clip; and fix its malfunctioning cooling fan. Service was satisfactory.
What Consumers Say
"The GT is a great vehicle in many ways. It's fun to drive, practical, reasonably sized and sensibly priced. Subaru reliability is excellent (I previously owned an Impreza). After 3 months and 9,000 miles I still enjoy my car, only occasionally thinking about the Audi A4 Avant 2.0T 6M that I passed up. The Legacy is faster, roomier, more reliable and less expensive. However, the Legacy does lack some standard and optional features that I would like in a car (which are available on the A4 and the Volvo V50): xenon headlights, vehicle stability control, satellite radio, MP3 capability, adaptive cruise control, headlight washers, full-size spare tire, seat/mirror memory are all N/A." — DKNY, July 4, 2005
"This is my third Legacy…and the best, nicest, fastest, and most fun to drive yet! It turns heads everywhere I go, and performance-wise it totally hugs the road. The turbo engine and speed/handling is excellent, and the 250-hp engine is a MAJOR improvement. My wife now drives my 2002 GT Limited sedan, and she is thrilled with it as well. It puts her Accord to shame with handling, safety, performance, and styling. I'll continue to buy Subarus from here on out — they've set the standard very high for performance and safety, yet they continue to keep the cost reasonable. GO, SUBARU!" — Chris, June 25, 2005
"So far it has been excellent. The fit and finish of the interior and exterior have been awesome. I would have liked to have seen the doors close more securely, but overall it is awesome. The power of the turbo is smooth and the shift from gear to gear leaves you breathless. A+. I am glad to see more mods available to date." — Michael, May 25, 2005
"As an American muscle car owner, I was hesitant to purchase a foreign car. This car is absolutely unbelievable. The 2.5l Turbo has enough power to get down the road in style and still haul the kids and/or clients in comfort. My other car, a Chevrolet Corvette, doesn't mind sharing the garage with this little turbocharged piece of heaven." — Steve, May 14, 2005
"The GT Limited accelerates like a hot sport sedan and handles reasonably well. The front seats are very comfortable and there's plenty of room in the backseat. Both rear-seat legroom and cargo space is much better than our '99 Audi A4. The stock Bridgestone RE-92 all-season tires are a weak point. Too much initial understeer and poor on-center response. Replaced them with a set of Goodyear F-1 GS-D3s which are much better. Factory optional STi shifter is a 'must-get.' Throws are MUCH shorter and feel is MUCH better in all 5 forward gears, but it's a lot harder to get into reverse with the fast shifter. Shocks could be a little firmer — too much float at high speeds." — Subywagonguy, April 30, 2005
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