Legacy to be proud of

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 14, 2005

Byline: By Jonathan Smith

Have you ever been into one of those designer retail outlets?

Before you get there you've got a pretty clear idea what you are after, but within minutes of walking through the doors you are overwhelmed by the choice.

Too many decisions ... the options are endless.

It can be the same picking a car, particularly a four wheel drive.

Unless you are a farmer or use the vehicle for heavy-duty towing you are unlikely to want something like the Land Rover Defender, which can monster a mountain but makes heavy weather of a motorway.

One of the unsung heroes of the off-road world with a loyal band of aficionados is Subaru,

Best-known model in the stable is the Impreza, which is more out-and-out sports car than country carriage. But take a look at the Legacy line-up and you discover svelte saloons and estates that rival BMW and the Honda Accord yet they all have the legs of a mountain goat.

If you are looking for something with enough ground clearance to take to the rough rather than merely a saloon or estate that won't be fazed by slippery conditions, the best option is the Legacy Outback, a chunky five-door estate.

The latest Legacy models, except the Outback, have been treated to a new 165bhp two-litre engine, but this version retains the 2.5-litre Boxer unit with 162bhp.

Performance is far more sports-saloonish than mudplugger, with a top speed approaching 125mph and acceleration to 62mph in the sub-10 second bracket.

Sophisticated suspension really gives you the best of both worlds, making light work of potholes and bumps yet allowing the four driving wheels to cling like the proverbial to the road.

High-ratio steering with as much feel as a well-bred sports car comes as a bonus ( few models anywhere near the Outback's price of pounds 22,900 for the SE can approach the dynamic ability of the Subaru.

With cruise control, electric windows all round, alloys, electric sunroof and air conditioning, the Outback SE comes fully equipped.

The latest breed of two-litre engines promise to be more fuel efficient than the 2.5-litre used in the Outback. Nevertheless if used gently most owners will clock around the 30mpg mark. If you hammer it, the figure will sink to the low 20s.

Practical and pretty good looking, the Outback is one of the few all-rounders that manages to do everything better than average ( and it's got a bit of attitude, too.

Facts and figures

Make: Subaru

Model: Legacy 2.5i SE Outback

Price: pounds 22,900

Mechanical: 165bhp, 2,457cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving all four wheels via 5 speed manual gearbox.

Max speed: 123mph

0-62mph: 9.8 seconds

Combined mpg: 31.7

Insurance group: 13

CO2 emissions: 210g/km

BiK rating: 29%.

Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000 miles; 3 years paint; 12 years anti-rust