Picture Gallery: 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Sedan
Day 1:
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I have been doing this (reviewing vehicles) long enough now that the déjà vu feeling may be more prevalent, but now comes a time were I can compare year-to-year model changes since I had the luxury to drive last year’s offering.
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The front fascia of the 2008 Legacy is changed, although you may be a little hard-pressed to tell the difference without a back-to-back comparison. The headlights are more aggressive, with a larger, open grill area sporting a bigger emblem, and larger “wings” inside the grill.
New features on the inside include stability control for the automatic GT model; in 2007, this was only offered with the upgraded Spec.B package. Other additions include: telescopic steering wheel, paddle shifters on the steering column (replacing buttons on the wheel), a new steering wheel layout including with wheel-mounted cruise control (instead of a stalk), audio controls and a SI-Drive control.
The GT is powered by a 2.5litre turbo-charged engine producing 243hp and 241 lb-ft of torque. My tester is mated to the five speed automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFTâ„¢ technology.
2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Sedan
MSRP as tested: $41,795
For more information on Subaru and the Legacy visit Subaru Canada
Day 2:
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Why Subaru decided they needed another SI-Drive button in the car — two feet away from the original location, on the centre console — is beyond me. The steering wheel-mounted button certainly may be more convenient than the console-mounted one, but I wouldn’t consider this button to be on the high priority list in terms of features requiring frequent adjustment.
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The seats are comfortable with adequate headroom; in the rear, headroom is slightly lower due to the sloped roof line, but an average adult will fit comfortably without issues.
The dash cluster is bright and easy to read. Interestingly, there two fuel consumption gauges. The first is directly below the speedometer: an ever working needle that moves from green to yellow when you get on the go pedal. The other provides an average and instant consumption readout within a LCD screen just below the tachometer. Perhaps Subaru is obsessed with fuel consumption — as they ought to be, with their past history.
Other notes about functionality and design I would like to make have to do with the door handles and window switches. Subaru is still using the old pull up style that, to me, feels cheap. But my other half likes them better and she feels the new style feels cheap — so this may be a non-issue for you.
For me, almost all the newly designed vehicles come with the pull style handles that feel more upscale; they are easier to use with gloves and provide good feedback when pulling the door open. In this price range I expect them; especially when compact cars are offering them standard. I also expect the little touches like auto-down and up windows on a vehicle anywhere near $40,000.
Day 3:
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It seems the automatic transmission really numbs the Legacy driving experience. With the manual, it was a non-stop barrel of fun, but without the ability to truly row the gears, something is missing. The paddle shifters work adequately, though, and do bring back a little bit of the fun factor when negotiating a twisty road.
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On the road, the Legacy feels heavy but composed around corners. The Bridgestone RE92 tires are not known for immense grip, but they perform well enough for the average person to have a good amount of fun in the corners.
One feature of the Legacy has definitely soured me slightly, though: the automatic climate control. Typically I love the set-it-and-forget-it nature of these systems, but the Legacy’s cannot seem to decide what temperature to throw at me. Set it at 22 degrees and it blows extremely cold air for a minute, then hot; then cold, then hot — you get the idea — and it is bothersome.
Day 4:
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With the Si-Drive system in Sport-Sharp mode with paddle shifters engaged, the Legacy GT can be fun, but it is no lightweight machine. As a luxury cruiser, it falls slightly short due to lack of features and prestige — have I read this somewhere before? It is quiet on the highway, though, and the engine is powerful enough to move you along at a good clip. It will have to down shift, though, to get the most out of the engine and makes some noise when it does.
Gas mileage was what I expected for the week around: 11.5L/100km — somewhat average for a mid-sized sedan, slightly worse than many front wheel drive cars but on par with other all-wheel drive vehicles.
By itself, the Legacy is a good car, but compare it to other cars in this price range and it no longer stands out. The Legacy hasn’t changed much over the years — unfortunately time has moved forward but the Legacy has not.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Sedan
MSRP as tested: $41,795
For more information on Subaru and the Legacy visit Subaru Canada
to our site.
July 10, 2007, 08:01:11 pm
I also like the new front.
July 10, 2007, 10:05:47 pm
BMW 5ish style?
Maybe Subaru can be the 3rd company (after the Sonata and Passat) to make a comparison commercial against the "2007" 5 series.
July 10, 2007, 10:50:10 pm Hey James, I think the new Audi's still have those old style handles, but VW has switched to the pull out ones for a few generations.
July 11, 2007, 07:57:33 am I have driven GT’s on a number of occasions but lasted only a few minutes with the one having a slush box.
July 11, 2007, 08:02:46 am
Why don't I just skip straight to the end:
The Legacy has a powerful engine and great AWD.
It lacks some features and prestige that other cars in the price range have.
Am I psychic or what?
July 11, 2007, 11:14:23 am Indeed, for the price as high as $41K+, there are many, many more choices with better value, if one doesn't really care about Subaru brand.
Such as:
Sonata GLS V6 Premium
Camry SE V6
TSX
Accord V6 EX
Mazda6 V6 GT
Even the Camry Hybrid seems like a better deal than this one =P
That's probably why we don't see too many of these on the road..
Now, only if they adjusted their price down to match that of south of the border...
July 11, 2007, 12:48:26 pm Some people just like them i guess.
My Dad has an 08 2.5i Limited on order. Now to me 35K for a car with a 175 HP 4cyl and 4 speed auto seems a bit much when other comparables have engines putting out 200 hp plus and and in many cases 5 speed autos but bviously this appeals to some people.
There re people who are going to pay for AWD and non of these cars
Sonata GLS V6 Premium
Camry SE V6
TSX
Accord V6 EX
Mazda6 V6 GT
Offer it.
Its probaly why Subaru gets away with their pricing in Canada. We love our AWD. I know I did when I had my Impreza.
July 11, 2007, 01:49:31 pm As much as I am a Subaru fan, I'd buy the Lexus IS250AWD ahead of the Legacy. Sure the Lexus has less power, but the interior is sublime, the exterior is fantastic and the "L" badge means better resale value. The Lexus dealers also offer 10X better perks/service and the actual cost of service is no higher. (Subaru ain't cheap!)
July 11, 2007, 02:09:39 pm
My Dad has an 08 2.5i Limited on order. Now to me 35K for a car with a 175 HP 4cyl and 4 speed auto seems a bit much when other comparables have engines putting out 200 hp plus and and in many cases 5 speed autos but bviously this appeals to some people.
There re people who are going to pay for AWD and non of these cars
Sonata GLS V6 Premium
Camry SE V6
TSX
Accord V6 EX
Mazda6 V6 GT
Offer it.
Its probaly why Subaru gets away with their pricing in Canada. We love our AWD. I know I did when I had my Impreza.
Ford Fusion SEL 3.0L AWD Automatic 6 Speed $30,799
If I REALLY wanted AWD I'd get the Fusion.
July 12, 2007, 09:39:44 am Forgot that there's was Fusion
July 12, 2007, 02:07:52 pm Well if you call slip and grip "awd" and not glorified traction control then yeah.
July 13, 2007, 05:38:23 am Anyway, according to the rumor mill, the new Mazda 6 coming in at the beginning of next year will also offer AWD on all model trims, sedan, hatch and wagon. I hope they do that. Subaru will drop their prices when their sales will drop. What saves them for now is that they sell plenty of base trim models or base outbacks. When that market start to look elsewhere also they'll have to do something.
Right now, they don't and won't listen because they sell plenty of base imprezas, Foresters and Outbacks and WRX. GT, SpecB and top of the line Outbacks are overpriced, everybody knows it. Can't even find a Legacy GT in Montreal to test drive because dealers don't want them on their lots for 2 years...So they have plenty of base models in inventory...
July 13, 2007, 09:52:48 am I like the new visuals on the rating system, James.
July 13, 2007, 10:04:13 am So from now on the rating's gonna be in 'Canadian Red' eh?
July 13, 2007, 10:07:36 am I tried black and it was hard to see the half wheels, red was the answer.
What if I used green for 3 and greater and red for less than 3?
July 13, 2007, 10:19:50 am Green. meaning go for it, red would be to stop it? That could work and support the Harpers and Suzukis of the world and the Green Party too- they would be lulled into believing.
July 14, 2007, 01:06:39 am re: expecting one-touch up / down windows. A $50 module buys one-touch... I put one it in my Legacy. And added another module for up/down from the remote.. too cool.
To me the thing about electronics defining "luxury" is over-rated. Who would dump $2000 on a so-so car nav option when very good portable nav's these days are $300 and declining ?
Get a good car with good mechanicals, reliable stuff, then adorn it with only the stuff you think you need. Why be forced to take a car manufacturer's version of electronic things, that you know are a generation or two behind to begin with?
Most German "luxury" cars have a heck of time with reliability to begin with, and are extremely bad at electricals... Mercedes, VW, Audi... constantly poor electrical. They should stop that and re-focus on making good cars again.
July 15, 2007, 10:21:26 am I am the owner of a 2005 Legacy 2.5 i. I like it, and will be looking at the '08, but the pricing is irritating. Nobody likes being laughed at.
Subaru Canada should look in the newspaper and see that the canadian dollar is around $0.94 US, not $0.70.
I also find it frustrating being forced to get a $2000 Touring package to get heated seats and heated windshield on a 2.5 i. Subaru has stripped their base model 2.5 i to force me into the options package.
For the canadian price of the Legacy GT, I could get myself a reasonnably-equipped Audi A4. It's really a no-brainer when the price of the pseudo-Audi is higher than the real thing.
July 15, 2007, 01:50:45 pm I think the strategies of SOC is working well LOL!
Price gouge us because we are still buying it. Remember that most % of return custumer BS planted into our head ?? There is absolutely no need for them to change anything. The base models are selling pretty good, they are all over the roads, the pricing/quality is still within range with what they are competing against.
I't's time to boycott SOC, or get a hefty dealer discount :~)
July 16, 2007, 09:09:47 am
Price gouge us because we are still buying it. Remember that most % of return custumer BS planted into our head ?? There is absolutely no need for them to change anything. The base models are selling pretty good, they are all over the roads, the pricing/quality is still within range with what they are competing against.
I't's time to boycott SOC, or get a hefty dealer discount :~)
I agree...Their sales don't seem to be in trouble and SoC has to be making HUGE margins per unit.No way they're going to change pricing as long as that remains the case.
I'd guess plenty of average buyers either don't know how badly they're being ripped off or still believe that you can't import new cars from the US..
As far as hefty dealer discounts are concerned I'd be willing to bet that dealer margins haven't grown much and that it's SoC and other Canadian arms of manufacturers that are pocketing the windfall profits from today's exchange rate.
July 17, 2007, 12:34:32 am
Not according to dealers I know. They can't move Tribecas, Legacy GT or loaded Outback models to save their lives. Dealers in Calgary and Lethbridge are watching massive sales #'s driving south to Montana. The dealer in Kalispell does a significant business in BC and Alberta, and it's just getting better for them by the minute...
July 17, 2007, 01:17:06 am
My Dad has an 08 2.5i Limited on order. Now to me 35K for a car with a 175 HP 4cyl and 4 speed auto seems a bit much when other comparables have engines putting out 200 hp plus and and in many cases 5 speed autos but bviously this appeals to some people.
There re people who are going to pay for AWD and non of these cars
Sonata GLS V6 Premium
Camry SE V6
TSX
Accord V6 EX
Mazda6 V6 GT
Offer it.
Its probaly why Subaru gets away with their pricing in Canada. We love our AWD. I know I did when I had my Impreza.
Ford Fusion SEL 3.0L AWD Automatic 6 Speed $30,799
If I REALLY wanted AWD I'd get the Fusion.
Dodge has the Avenger R/T AWD for $30,895 also with a 6 speed automatic.
July 17, 2007, 08:56:08 am
Not according to dealers I know. They can't move Tribecas, Legacy GT or loaded Outback models to save their lives. Dealers in Calgary and Lethbridge are watching massive sales #'s driving south to Montana. The dealer in Kalispell does a significant business in BC and Alberta, and it's just getting better for them by the minute...
Well...Sub sales were up a fair bit for June 07 over 06 so maybe they're making enough on the lower end "bread and butter" line that they don't care about the high end cars?
July 22, 2007, 07:39:04 pm I don't think SOC is dropping prices anytime soon. They might offer incentives like cheaper interest rates and rebates but a base price drop is questionable.
And with the 2008 - What the heck is with the move with removing heated seats from the base legacy. While other manufacturers add more with time - Subaru decides to take away what they already have unless you pay more - that's a cash grab tactic right there. New prospective customers and current owners should start giving them feedback like this about the pricing and the features even if it is the auto window up/down.
BernardP you should get in touch with me. I am looking to move my 2006 2.5i SE sedan. It has the heated seats and the windshield warmer you are looking for.
July 23, 2007, 01:25:48 am Go to Subaru Canada's web site and hit the FAQ. #1 and #2 are about warranty coverage for US cars in Canada and importing a US car into Canada. I think SoC knows what's going on, is hearing a ton of griping from it's dealers, but is moving very slowly.