Get past the bland looks and you’re in for a treat. The quad-cam boxer six is torquey enough to pull from 1000rpm yet revs so smoothly that it’s easy to bounce against the limiter just past the 7000rpm red line. Two factors prevented class- leading acceleration figures. The fastest method of getting a four-wheel-drive car off the line (maximum revs then step sharply off the clutch) was prohibited by a 5000rpm limit with the clutch down. More important, maximum speed in second gear is 57mph, so a snatched third gear is required to hit 60mph. If 60mph were available in second we’d expect to match Subaru’s 0-60mph in 6.5sec figure, but as is, we managed 60mph in 7.2sec. That matches BMW’s claims for the 325i and is a second faster than the Legacy 3.0R auto can manage.
But the new gearbox isn’t perfect. Vibration is transmitted through the gearlever under acceleration and, though less notchy than the Impreza’s, the change can be obstinate when cold. With peak torque of 219lb ft arrives at 4200rpm, in gear power delivery is as linear as the figures suggest: from 20-90mph in fourth gear there is just 0.7sec between the 20mph increments. The brakes provide excellent pedal feel, and the ventilated discs put in a strong performance on a soaking track.
With an enthusiastic engine and strong brakes, the Legacy needs an entertaining chassis. Fortunately Subaru’s engineers are enthusiasts. A clear run on a favourite B-road is enough to reveal that this is what four-wheel drive should be like: all the inherent safety of front-wheel drive combined with the agility and entertainment of rear-wheel drive.
The speed-sensitive power steering is too light, but has real precision and the Spec B turns in sharply. You can then use the throttle to decide the attitude of car. Come in too fast and it will understeer gently, but back off the throttle and the nose tucks in neatly, front-drive style.