   2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT (top); 2007 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT wagon (middle); 2007 Subaru Outback 3.0R Premier Edition. Click image to enlarge |
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The fourth-generation Subaru Legacy reached showrooms in North America in 2004, going on sale as a 2005 model. The car proved that Subaru was very serious about moving out of the mainstream family sedan segment, where it had never been able to gain much market share, into the premium midsize market.
Offered, as always, in sedan and wagon form, the 2005 Legacy wore much sleeker styling inside and out, a look that worked well for the car’s intended purpose: attracting shoppers thinking about brands like Audi and Volvo.
In the Legacy, power came from a pair of 2.5-litre, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engines. A normally-aspirated version made 168 horsepower, while a turbocharged motor based on that used in the WRX STi generated 250 hp.
A five-speed manual transmission was the base choice in most models, while a four-speed automatic was the option (though certain trim levels were offered only with the automatic).
The Outback, the crossover model based on the Legacy, was also new in 2005. It used the same four-cylinder engines that the Legacy did, but also got an available six-cylinder engine that made the same 250 horsepower as the turbocharged engine. The Outback was offered with the same five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions as the Legacy, but was also offered with a five-speed automatic in turbocharged and six-cylinder models.
In 2006, the non-turbo four-cylinder got a power boost, raising output to 175 hp for both Legacy and Outback models.
For 2007, Subaru Canada changed up standard feature content to create a lower-priced version of the 2.5i model, and two more 2.5i models – the Touring and Limited – were added. Turbocharged 2.5GT (2.5XT for the Outback) models were the first to use Subaru’s “Subaru Intelligent Drive” (SI-Drive), a driver-selectable engine response control system. Also new was the 2.5GT Spec.B, based on the 2.5GT but with a six-speed manual transmission and suspension bits borrowed from the WRX STi.
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at 10:08 pm
I love how these cars drive/handle in the snow/rain. Amazing!!
at 12:39 pm
My family loves subarus, and we had quite a few subarus with over 200 000km without issues. With that being said, my father’s 2005 Outback XT had a turbo failure at 110 000km. This is the first turbo we had let go, in 5 various cars that were turbo equippped. We were a bit suprised when it happened, but we think we just got a bit of bad luck this time around.
Awesome cars in my mind, if I ever let go of my WRX, my next purchase just might be a Legacy.
at 4:07 pm
I currently own a 2006 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT. It is a great car. Handles well, is comfortable, well put together with not many issues at all. It is however not as well put together for interior materials and fitting as a Honda Accord, but I cannot say it is bad at all. This is Subaru’s real first attempt at going upscale a bit and I believe they have achieved their goal. I have had no mechanical problems. No noisy rear diff…etc etc. Only detriment to this car is addictive acceleration, silent turbo whoosh, and fuel consumption (which is not bad…on par with a BMW E46 chassis 3 Series). One of the best cars for winter and adverse weather. Impeccable handling and control in winter over ice and snow especially with quality winter tires on. Managed to trek up to Blue Mountain after a snow storm before roads were groomed. No drama. A bit of power-induced oversteer is always fun as well.
Road noise/Wind noise is more than acceptable for a vehicle this class (my 2004 Accord EX-L let more noise in).
Suspension is taut, and due to additional unsprung weight of AWD components, does ride a little harsh over very bad bumps and potholes (however chassis is very solid).
Recommend putting on strut tower braces aftermarket. If you like less understeer, thicker rear sway bar as well.
Engine may sound a bit rough a idle, but it’s a Boxer trait, it is in no way running rough. Even @ redline the engine sounds smoothe and feels smoothe. More so than other Inline 4’s.
Good car. Love it. Pleasantly surprised alternative to Accord, Camry, Altima. Need to drive and experience to understand.
Cheers!
at 2:23 am
Some friends who purchased new were advised by their salesman not to buy the six cylinder wagon. They was told that the engine needs to raised to change the spark plugs. I drove their car when new, and the performance from the 4 cylinder was more than adequate. And it was very quiet, unusual for a boxer-engined car.
The Spec B looks like a sleeper – it must be a lot of fun!
at 2:25 am
Some friends who purchased new were advised by their salesman not to buy the six cylinder wagon. They were told that the engine needs to raised to change the spark plugs. I drove their car when new, and the performance from the 4 cylinder was more than adequate. And it was very quiet, unusual for a boxer-engined car.
The Spec B looks like a sleeper – it must be a lot of fun!
at 10:03 pm
You said:
“In 2008, the Legacy and Outback got mildly revised styling inside and out. Power outputs for both four-cylinder engines dropped slightly, to 170 hp in non-turbo cars and 243 hp in turbocharged models. The Outback’s six-cylinder also lost some power, with its output dropping to 245 horsepower.”
My understanding that the measurement of HP according to SAE was changed in 2008, thus ratings for all cars from every manufacturer “dropped” because of the new metrics standard.
at 10:51 am
The Subaru Forester Man Says “YEs To All Legacy’s”
(Legacy wagon is my next choice – I Want the PZEV)