At last – a Subaru with a diesel engine
Aug 30 2008 by Phil Lambell, The Journal
Jonathan Smith
SUBARU which has remained faithful to the flat four ‘boxer’ petrol engine for 40 years has, at last, come out with a diesel.
And, naturally, it is a lightweight and compact ‘boxer’ too.
It is a vital weapon in its armoury against rivals because the characteristics of diesel engines, plus their economy, is proving the winning formula in medium sized family models – especially those with four-wheel-drive.
One of the most competitive and appealing models in the Subaru range is the Legacy Sports Tourer, which with diesel power clocks in at £20,995. For your money, you get a useful sized estate, four wheel drive, stacks of goodies such as air con and cruise control, as well as genuine 45 plus mpg.
The virtues of the less frugal petrol versions remain, that is exemplary handling, sensitive steering and a sports-car feel that is rare in a family hold-all.
Subaru makes great play of the new diesel’s refinement. But I have to say that when you first fire up the 1,998cc, 148bhp diesel, it doesn’t sound anything special. It’s a bit rattly at tick-over, then it all sort of gets more in tune and by the time you are at motorway speeds, there is a noticeably more relaxed aura to it.
From the outside there’s little to mark out the diesel apart from a tailgate badge plus a neat bonnet air-intake vent, and although the model was treated to a mid-life facelift last year it remains a well-balanced but unobtrusive design. It is the sort of car that could have been turned out by one of a number of Far East manufacturers.
It’s different behind the steering wheel. With heaps of torque and a snappy gearbox and with that so-positive steering, the driver can make full use of the performance.
Top speed is 126mph and it will hit 62mph in 8.5 seconds. Mid-range acceleration is more impressive and all the power can easily be transferred to the road thanks to all-wheel traction. But I was however surprised to find the Legacy has a five speed gearbox rather than a six speed like most of the rivals.
The Sports Tourer will absorb 459 litres with rear seats in place and 1,649 litres with them folded. The cabin, though smart enough, doesn’t yet match the standards of trim and design set by Audi and Ford. There’s plenty of room for five but I would have preferred more front legroom for the copious times there is no-one sitting in the rear.
Fun and exceedingly practical, the Legacy Sports Tourer is now economical too. It is an introvert at heart, but offers a whole heap of worthwhile qualities at a reasonable price.
