1999 Subaru Legacy Review

Subaru says its 1999 all-wheel-drive Sport Utility Sedan is the world's first sport utility sedan. But defunct American Motors introduced its four-wheel-drive Eagle sport utility sedan about 20 years ago.

So much for historical accuracy. Moreover, the Eagle was built in Kenosha, Wis., and the Sport Utility Sedan (SUS) is made in Lafayette, Ind., which isn't too far from the Eagle's birthplace.

Still, the compact SUS is appealing because Subaru has become expert at turning its small sedans and station wagons into vehicles that have the flair, and some features, of genuine sport/utilities.

Those items include all-wheel drive, generous ground clearance and a driving position that lets motorists sit high in the saddle, as with a genuine sport/ute. There also are sport/ute exterior items such as meaty bumpers and fog lights with stone shields.

The SUS isn't made for rugged off-road driving, which can be handled by bona fide sport/utes. Rather, Subaru says the SUS has ``recreational off-road capability,'' which means it's suited for fairly decent off-road trails.

Mostly, the SUS is an on-road vehicle with superior traction on slippery pavement. Its excellent all-wheel-drive system works full time and doesn't call for a driver to engage it.

The SUS is aimed at those who want the look and some of the feel of a real sport/utility but don't want to fuss with a big trucklike sport/ute that has marginal fuel economy.

The base SUS costs $23,395, while the upscale Limited has a $25,595 sticker price. The standard model has plenty of standard equipment, including air conditioning, cruise control, heated front seats, AM/FM/cassette stereo with Weatherband and power windows, locks and mirrors.

The Limited seems worth the extra bucks, adding a lush leather interior, power sunroof, cassette player, woodgrain pattern trim and special wheels.

Items such as a hood scoop, fog lamps with stone shields, big wheels, large bumpers and splash guards give the SUS a substantial, off-road appearance.

The SUS also looks somewhat like a rolling billboard because it's loaded with badges and emblems that say ``AWD'' (all-wheel-drive), ``SUS,'' ``ABS'' (anti-lock brakes), ``Team Crafted In Indiana'' and ``30 Years in America'' (the length of Subaru's presence here). And there are ``Limited'' markings on the upscale model.

Powering the SUS is Subaru's low, compact 165-horsepower dual-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine. It has a Porsche-style, horizontally opposed piston design that contributes to a low center of gravity for better handling.

The 2.5-liter engine is noisy when pushed and is available only with a four-speed automatic transmission. The automatic is responsive, but a five-speed manual transmission would improve performance.

Still, the SUS is fairly quick in town and has decent performance on highways. Just expect only an average 65 to 75 m.p.h. vehicle passing time no matter how heavy a throttle foot is on the accelerator.

Fuel economy is a decent estimated 21 m.p.g. in the city and 27 on highways. Many popular larger sport/utes are lucky to get in the high teens or low 20s on highways.

The solidly built SUS has a weighty feel, due in part to power steering that is quick but fairly heavy. Sharp handling makes the SUS fun to drive, and it stops surely and quickly with a firm but easily modulated brake pedal. The supple all-independent suspension provides a good ride even on rough roads.

The steering wheel blocks a few secondary controls, such as the one for the rear defroster. But the dashboard mostly has conveniently placed gauges and controls that work smoothly. A large ``dead pedal'' gives a driver a solid place to rest his or her left foot.

Roominess is a strong point of the SUS. It has plenty of space for four tall 6-footers, with wide rear door openings to make it easy to enter and leave the back seat. The interior is generally quiet and looks fairly posh in the Limited.

But the SUS' flimsy-looking door handles should be dumped. Big, supportive seats make it especially comfortable up front and a large glass area provides good visibility for all occupants.

The driver's seat has a clever manual seat-height adjuster that doesn't leave one wishing for power controls. And the air conditioning system rapidly cools the interior in a hurry on a 90-degree day.

But the dual cupholders that pop out from the dashboard look fragile, and inside controls for the gas-filler lid, trunk and hood releases feel flimsy. The plastic holder for the hood prop also looks like it won't last long.

The trunk is impressively large, and its low opening makes it easy to load. And rear seatbacks flip forward for more cargo room.

The SUS is more refined than the American Motors Eagle, which debuted long before anyone imagined that a vehicle would be called a ``sport utility sedan.''