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by Russell Purcell
Subaru takes it up a notch
Subaru is famous for its near bullet-proof all-wheel-drive system, variations of which are found throughout the company’s expanding model line-up. However, save for the WRX models, the performance of the cars in the company’s stable was often less than inspiring, as were the interiors. Well for 2005 Subaru has brought an all-new Legacy to our shores: one loaded with the promise of attracting a whole new wave of buyers to the Subaru fold.
My test car was a loaded Legacy GT Limited. When I booked it my expectations were clouded by memories of some of the bland designs I had encountered in the past with Subaru’s products. Don’t get me wrong, I have always admired the brand for its inherent reliability and all-wheel-drive versatility, but up until now, I would never consider owning one.
When I slid behind the wheel of the 2005 Legacy GT I was immediately impressed by the car’s fit and finish. The choice of interior materials, whether plastic, metal or leather was so far removed from that found in previous Subaru models that I almost jumped out to recheck
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the grille to see if an Acura, Volvo or BMW badge was there. All the buttons and switchgear had the look and feel of those in high-end European cars. The ‘Limited’ designation on my car’s build sheet meant that the car had all the luxury trappings expected in the flagship model for a brand – in this case including a dual-zone climate control, multi-position heated front seats, leather seating surfaces and a power glass sunroof.
Performance
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Power for the Legacy GT is derived from a longitudinally placed, 2.5-litre turbo-charged flat-four that generates a capable 250-hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. There is a slight hint of turbo-lag at the bottom end, but it is only really noticeable at initial roll off and under hard acceleration. A slight whistle tickles the ears as the turbo spools up, a characteristic that is more pleasant than annoying.
A lot of Subaru shoppers take a look at the potent WRX (and its rocket-like big brother the WRX STi) but come away convinced that either car may be too much of a handful for everyday use, or maybe even a bit small. This is where the Legacy GT steps in to wrangle some of these shoppers back for a second look.
Driving Experience
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Around town, the Legacy GT offers a very pleasant driving experience, but it isn’t until you find an open stretch of road that you really get a taste for what this all-new car is all about. The engine pulls strongly across the entire torque band, giving the car 0-100 km/h numbers in the 5-second range, a number that will embarrass many more expensive sports and GT cars. The light clutch and smooth-shifting, short throw shift lever combine to transfer driver input to the drive-train both quickly and effortlessly. As you flick through the 5-speeds it is evident that a lot of thought went into this package, the gear ratios are perfectly matched to the engine, allowing the driver to keep the engine in the power band. A 5-speed automatic is available on the GT, and comes complete with a manual-shift mode Subaru calls SportShift. This option is $1,000, and may be the choice for the city commuter, but if I was buying this car, playtime requires the stick.
The Legacy GT responds well to driver inputs and feels very nimble as its rigid body structure allows the driver to feel exactly what the car is doing as it travels down the road. Extensive use of lightweight components and an increased use of aluminum have also trimmed significant weight from the car when compared to the previous generation car. The speed-sensitive steering is spot-on, and does a superb job of communicating what the wheels are doing through the thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel.
The car tracks straight and goes exactly where you point it, no doubt the advantage of delivering just enough power to each wheel to maximize traction. When things get too hot and you need to rein in the fun, the car’s advanced multi-channel ABS brakes help bring the GT back in control with aplomb. Even after extensive use and long descents, I failed to notice any sign of fade, which is obviously a good thing. The pedals themselves are well-placed for aggressive driving, when your feet want to do the heel-toe ballet.
Safety
Subaru’s all-wheel-drive offers a lateral G-force sensor and an electronically locking centre differential, which both act to keep the car in contact with the road surface when dicey situations are detected. Backup is at the ready in the form of advanced 4-channel ABS brakes that feature four-wheel Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD).
Subaru’s engineering team managed to combine the transmission, front differential and transfer case into a single, compact unit, which they chose to mount symmetrically along the car’s centre-line. This unique packaging and placement helps balance the car’s weight distribution while delivering smooth power to all four wheels.
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Combine this with the 4-wheel independent suspension and the ride and handling of the Legacy GT is surprisingly agile. By utilizing long, equal-length axle shafts the engineers have blessed the car with long travel at all four wheels. This solves the torque steer issue that often plagues many lightweight, big power cars. The suspension in all Legacy’s also features anti-dive and anti-squat countermeasures, designed to take some of the rodeo effect out of your driving experience when you are driving at the limit or forced to make a panic stop.
Should the car be involved in a crash or roll-over, occupants will benefit from dual-stage front airbags, front seat side-impact and side-curtain airbags. All Legacy models also benefit from an anti-theft system and remote, keyless locking, however the GT models also get an engine immobilizer.
Integrated turn signals in the side-view mirrors help signal driver intentions better to oncoming traffic, especially those cars running perpendicular to you. It is nice to see this simple feature trickling down into the car ranks, as many SUVs have worn such mirrors for several model years.
GT Styling
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Subaru already has a ‘boy-racer’ in the line-up in the form of the WRX, so it is nice to see that the styling of the equally potent Legacy GT just hints at the car’s performance potential. A subtle skirt runs down both sides of all Legacy models, seamlessly blending with a bumper valance at the rear and a stylish spoiler in the front. This is a design shared by all three models of the new Legacy, in both sedan and wagon form. Although the Legacy Limited and GT models feature integrated high-intensity fog lights in the front fairing, which augment the shapely projection lamps up front, while the rear unit makes way for two stainless exhaust tips to breathe.
The GT also sports a fully functional scoop inset into the stylish hood to feed air to the punchy turbo-charger’s intercooler. Unlike the over-the-top one fitted to the WRX STi, this scoop is only noticeable at second glance, as it barely breaks cover when the car is viewed from the side. A set of underbody aerodynamic covers also come with the GT package, helping the car to cut a cleaner swath through the air.
A slight aero lip rides up along the upper edge of the Legacy’s trunk, and is just a continuation of the car’s sensuous bodywork rather than a bolt on unit. A low profile spoiler is available as a dealer added option, but I felt it spoiled the classy look of the sedan. Wagon models do wear a spoiler situated flush with the roofline at the top of the rear window glass. It acts to direct air flow over the rear glass, in an effort to keep it clean, fortunately this task is aided by the presence of a rear wiper as well.
The Legacy GT’s rolling stock is top notch, featuring 17-inch, 5-spoke, lightweight alloy wheels with a blade-like effect on the spoke arms. These 6-inch wide units wore grippy Bridgestone Potenza tires, so traction was excellent. I had a hard time trying to get them to break loose, even while navigating some snowy back roads.
On the Inside
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A great deal of attention was paid to improving the interior appointments of the new car, as Subaru was often getting blasted for it’s circa 1985 interior designs. Gone is the usual combination of mismatched shapes and unflattering textures. In its place we now have some of the best designed seats in all of Auto-Dom, easy to read gauges and easy to reach controls. A Momo steering wheel, alloy pedals and an ergonomic shift knob highlight the crisp and clean look of the cabin, while build quality and a host of luxury equipment move the car up from Economy to Business Class.
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Ingress and egress is a breeze in the new Legacy as all four doors swing wide. Front units are nice and long, unlike the short ones found on the WRX, which find taller drivers having to contort themselves and twist their bodies just to get into that model’s front seats. Rear passengers have abundant legroom (as long as the front passengers don’t play in the NBA) and the gradually sloping roofline robs very little headroom in the rear compartment. I have no doubt that the car will fit five adults quite comfortably, but four would feel coddled.
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I found the aforementioned seats exceptional, front and rear. The driver will get a chance to explore the car’s 250-horsepower and precise handling in comfort as the side bolsters do an excellent job of holding one in place. The perforated leather in the GT Limited is suppler than that in many similarly priced cars, further evoking a new sense of luxury to the Legacy’s roomy passenger cabin. The increase in wheelbase over the previous model is responsible for an extra inch of legroom in the rear compartment, and while not a big jump, every inch counts when you have big feet. This space is still best reserved for average-sized adults and children but at 6’2,” I still managed to find a reasonably comfortable seating position, at least for short trips.
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The commodious trunk can swallow 433-litres of cargo and lift-height in a car is nice and low verses an SUV. Longer items can be carted by utilizing the small pass through that is revealed when the rear centre armrest is dropped, but there is only room for narrow items such as skis or short lumber. Consumers looking for a little extra utility should opt for the Legacy GT Wagon which accepts as much as 1,747-litres of cargo when you utilize its 60/40-split rear seat.
Conclusions
Cars like the Legacy and Legacy Wagon are excellent alternatives for consumers who seek the versatility of all-wheel-drive but do not need the excess capacity and cumbersome dimensions that come with SUV ownership. Add to this the appeal of superior driving dynamics in a refined automobile and the new Legacy in any of its three trim levels will bring some new members into the Subaru fold. After spending a week smiling behind the wheel of a loaded GT model, I have no doubt that enthusiast drivers will be clamouring for the keys of this car once they experience its sporty capabilities. Few cars on the road today, regardless of price point, can beat this feisty import on the bang-for-the-buck meter.
Technical Data: 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited sedan
| Base price | $36,495 GT Sedan / $40,295 GT LTD |
| Options | N/A |
| Freight | $1,195 |
| A/C tax | $100 |
| Price as tested | $41,590 |
| Type | 4-door, 5-passenger sedan or wagon |
| Layout | Longitudinal engine, all-wheel drive |
| Engine | 2.5-litre 4 cylinder boxer,turbocharged, DOHC, 16-valves |
| Horsepower | 250 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 250 lb.-ft. @ 3,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (5-speed automatic with SportShift) |
| Curb weight | 1495 kg (3,295 lb.) |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm (105.1 in.) |
| Length | 4,730 mm (186.2 in.) |
| Width | 1,992 mm (78.43 in.) (includes mirrors) |
| Height | 1,425 mm (56.1 in.) |
| Trunk space | 433 L (15.3 cu. ft) |
| Fuel consumption | City: 12.4 L/100 km (23 mpg Imperial) |
| Hwy 8.6 L/100 km (33 mpg) | |
| Warranty | 3 years/60,000 km |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years/100,000 km |
