2006 Subaru Legacy Review

The Subaru 2.5 GT Limited might be the answer for those who would like to own, but can't afford, a mid-size high-performance European sports sedan.

The first Subaru I tested around 1970 was the tiny 360 minicar, imported by Malcolm Bricklin, who plans to bring Chinese cars to America. The 360 resembled a lump of ice cream and had hardly any power. Darn near got clobbered in that thing on the Dan Ryan Expy.

Subaru soon began building small front-wheel-drive economy cars that were marginally acceptable in the 1970s. They were clunky, noisy and slow, but also rugged and fuel-thrifty.

From there, Subaru went on to build considerably better cars, and now wants a part of the sporty, fairly upscale auto and SUV markets. Giving all Subaru models an excellent standard all-wheel-drive system did much to improve sales. Too bad Subaru's 1992-97 SVX sports car was an often-overlooked gem.

The Legacy 2.5 GT Limited sedan shows how far Subaru has come. It lists at $28,795, which is much less than, say, a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi mid-size sports sedan.

Moreover, the 2.5 GT is well-equipped, with such items as leather upholstery, power front heated seats, air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls, cruise control, AM/FM stereo with in-dash 6-disc CD changer and a power sunroof.

The Legacy 2.5 GT Limited also is offered as a $31,195 station wagon that doesn't differ much from the sedan, except for those dual power sunroofs and a standard five-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability. The sedan lacks the wagon's fold-down rear seat, but has a center pass-through area area behind the large fold-down rear armrest.

Standard safety items for both models include anti-lock brakes, front side air bags and side curtain air bags.

The 2.5 GT Limited sedan I tested had that version's standard five-speed manual gearbox, although it's available with the wagon's automatic transmission for an extra $1,200.

But, hey, part of the fun of driving the 2.5 GT Limited is shifting gears, although the gearbox occasionally got notchy when rushed and the clutch engaged very abruptly in my test car, a condition especially noticeable in first gear.

The Legacy was redesigned for 2005, with much better styling, additional features and more power. The 2.5 GT version has a turbocharged, intercooled 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts. It produces 250 horsepower and gobs of torque, thanks largely to considerable boost from the power-producing turbocharger.

That engine makes the 2.5 GT one of the quickest sports sedans from any country. It can do 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and hit 100 mph in 15.5 seconds. More importantly, it allows quick merges into expressway traffic and fast 65-75 mph passing when downshifting to third or fourth gears.

As with a Porsche 911 sports car engine, the 2.5 GT engine has horizontally opposed pistons that allow the engine to be compact and set low in the chassis for a lower center of gravity, which allows better handling.

Estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg in the city and 26 on highways with the manual transmission and 19 and 25 with the automatic. Premium-grade fuel is required.

The 2.5 GT has smooth, but rather innocuous, styling -- although its functional hood scoop and dual exhaust outlets are tips that this is a serious performance car.

The quiet interior is a far cry from the junky early Subaru interiors, with classy wood trim and mostly upscale materials. However, some might feel there's too much budget-grade plastics. Rear cupholders are placed too low, but back doors have clothes hooks above them so freshly laundered clothes need not be tossed on the back seat. There are a fair number of decent interior storage areas.

The back-lit gauges can be easily read, and large climate control and sound system controls are a welcome relief from tiny controls and those that are partly operated by reading a dashboard screen.

Four tall adults comfortably fit, and it's easy to get in and out. Front seats are supportive when taking curves and rear ones have good thigh support. A low cowl and lots of glass area allow good all-around visibility for the driver.

The steering puts the 2.5 GT precisely where you want it. And handling is good, helped by the all-wheel-drive system -- although it's handicapped a bit for hard-charging drivers by 45-series tires that are plenty wide but designed more for ride comfort than sporty driving. The fully independent suspension is on the firm side, but soaks up bumps and allows only moderate body sway.

Brakes are strong, with good pedal feel, but higher-performance tires on the 17-inch wheels would allow shorter stopping distances.

The 2.5 GT feels solid -- until you slam the doors with the windows lowered. Doors then emit a junky sound because their windows have noise-producing frameless glass, which was found in now-classic American hardtops.

The 2.5 GT sedan's large trunk has a low, wide opening, with a plastic lip that will prevent cargo from being scratched. The trunk lid pops up well out of the way to prevent head-banging, but has space-consuming manual hinges, which at least are shrouded to prevent cargo damage.

The hood is held up by an old-fashioned prop rod instead of a smooth hydraulic strut, but the engine compartment is surgically neat, with easily reached fluid-filler areas.

Nobody could have guessed that the same outfit that made the old Subaru 360 microcar could come up with anything like the Legacy 2.5 GT Limited. Thank goodness life is full of surprises. 

2006 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5 GT LIMITED 

PRICE: $28,795-$31,195

LIKES: Fast. Good handling. Roomy. All-wheel drive. Large controls.

DISLIKES: Notchy manual gearbox shifter. Abrupt clutch engagement. Low-profile styling.