Review of the new Subaru Legacy Tourer Range

Whilst Audi can claim to have brought four-wheel drive to the masses, it's Subaru that have consistently built their product range around the philosophy of a driven wheel at each corner. Estate versions of the Legacy have in particular, established a loyal following, the cars boasting impeccable rural credentials and in many ways bridging the gap between owning a luxury 4x4 estate and a 4x4 off roader.

Subaru, you see, was offering a Legacy Tourer long before pricier rival models like Volvo's XC70 and Audi's A6 allroad got in on the act. Its standard four-wheel-drive transmission and charismatic Boxer engines have always set it apart from the pack in the congested medium range and compact executive estate sectors. Popular with owners who tow and those who live in outlying areas where 4x4 mechanicals can be essential, the car has a strong reputation for reliability and generally performs strongly in customer satisfaction surveys.

In recent years, this Legacy's appeal has been considerably boosted by the introduction of a charismatic 2.0-litre 150PS boxer diesel engine and its desirability has taken another step forward with the introduction of the larger, smarter latest generation model that we're looking at here. As before, there's a slightly more off road-orientated Outback variant, but it's the standard Tourer estate version that concerns us in this test.

As well as the 150PS 2.0-litre diesel, buyers get the option of a 167PS petrol-powered 2.5-litre Boxer unit with 229Nm of torque. This incorporates Subaru's i-Active Valve Lift System to adapt the combustion process according to the demands being placed upon the engine by the driver. The 2.5 comes only with Subaru's Lineartronic stepless CVT automatic transmission, which offers effortless performance and improved CO2 and fuel economy when compared to the previous model's 4-speed automatic. Which is all very impressive but we suspect the vast majority of buyers will continue to opt for the diesel alternative which comes only with 6-speed manual transmission. The 2.0D unit has 350Nm of torque, helping it to cover the 0-60mph sprint in only 9.2 seconds.

"The car is a lot roomier than the previous model and also includes a number of useful upgrades beneath the skin"

All Legacy models get Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive which is adapted according to the engine and gearbox options that are installed. The system distributes power in a 50:50 split between the front and rear wheels via a viscous coupling centre differential. If grip is in short supply at one axle, more power is diverted to the opposite one. Subaru has adopted a revised MacPherson strut front suspension design, with the lower arm mounted on the sub-frame for greater stability and refinement. The thickness of the stabiliser (anti-roll) bar has also been increased, improving roll resistance and offering even greater agility.

The designers have aimed for much greater interior space with this generation version and the car is duly bigger than the one that preceded it in every dimension, tagging on 55mm in length, 60mm in width and 55mm in height. As a result, front headroom has risen by 21mm over the previous model, and legroom for rear-seat passengers increases by 99mm, aided by an 80mm increase in wheelbase. These are significant increases and they're made all the more so by the car's layout. The wheels are pushed right out to the corners of the body by a wheelbase that's 81mm up on that of the old model. This not only expands the cabin but produces a planted, aggressive stance. Despite the need to accommodate the drive axles and rear differential needed at the back of the 4x4 Legacy, the car also has a generous luggage bay of 526 litres (67 litres more than the previous generation model), extendable to 1677 if you flatten the split-folding rear seats.

With its added bulk, this car has become a more imposing sight on the road. It looks lower and wider with muscular curves around the front end. From the outside, Subaru fans will spot this improved model first by its redesigned front grille (complete with 'wing motif'), flanked by elongated headlights. There are the usual SUV-like prominent wheel-arches, while the strong belt line and a chrome-rimmed glass-house is intended to give the Legacy Tourer a premium feel. True, there's little in the design that we haven't seen before elsewhere but Subaru's amalgamation of styles comes together to pleasing effect. Lots of work has also gone into enhancing the interior. Again, the approach is on the sober side but few family cars in the Legacy class really push the boat out where innovative cabin design is concerned.

Enhanced materials, a multi-function display at the centre of the dash and an electronic parking brake with hill holder function all feature. Standard on all derivatives are alloy wheels, tilt-and-slide sunroof, heated front seats, six CD tuner with RDS and six speakers, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, and automatic activation for wipers and headlights.

Subaru will contend that its Legacy competes in the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant-dominated compact executive estate market sector but through its previous generations, the car has tended to sit amongst models which occupy a hinterland between the prestigious brands and more commonplace ones. Still, the larger dimensions of the latest car make it usefully more roomy than many rivals in either camp. Certainly the all-wheel-drive mechanicals, performance engines and relative exclusivity of the Legacy should give it an edge over ordinary medium range family models like Ford's Mondeo Estate and Vauxhall's Insignia Tourer. This is largely the status quo that the previous generation Legacy existed with. It was chosen as a leftfield alternative to the mainstream options but Subaru will be looking for the qualities of the latest car to push more customers its way.

The 2.5-litre petrol model is going to sell on its power and performance rather than low running costs but Subaru's Boxer diesel engine should provide a viable option for those on a tighter budget, offering a 46.3mpg combined cycle return and a CO2 emissions figure of 161g/km. Subaru will need this Legacy's residual values to hold up more strongly than those of previous models if it's to make real headway.

By going large, the latest generation of the Legacy Tourer is looking to gain an advantage over the compact executive cars that have always overshadowed it in the past. Certainly, the car is a lot roomier than the previous model and also includes a number of useful upgrades beneath the skin. It should be a step forward for Subaru but will it go far enough? It will be interesting to see.

TOP 5 LEGACY DEALS

The results below show the top LEGACY deals on buyacar

Subaru Legacy 2.0D SE 5dr Diesel Sports Tourer
Price £25,609 Read Legacy Reviews	Save £1,446
Subaru Legacy 2.0i ES Nav 5dr Sports Tourer Special Edition
Price £21,081 Read Legacy Reviews	Save £894
Subaru Legacy 2.0D S 5dr Diesel Sports Tourer
Price £23,630 Read Legacy Reviews	Save £1,225
Subaru Legacy 2.0D SE NavPlus 5dr Diesel Sports Tourer
Price £27,667 Read Legacy Reviews	Save £1,688
Subaru Legacy 2.5i SE 5dr Lineartronic Sports Tourer
Price £25,627 Read Legacy Reviews	Save £1,428
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT LEGACY DEALS