It¹s hard to pass by a shopping mall without seeing a host of Subaru Legacy
wagons. They have become as ubiquitous as crabgrass and seem to vie with the
Volvo wagon as the vehicle of choice for a kind of conservative, safe
suburban lifestyle in which moderation has risen to an art form.

Subaru in the United States was about to become extinct when it discovered
the public¹s interest in SUVs. Subaru wisely emphasized its practical
all-wheel­drive wagons and rode the concept to new market heights. The
company took its message of practicality to some unusual demographic
groups‹such as nurses‹that here-to-fore had not been targeted. The outcome
is that the company¹s sales are strong and it just recorded the best July
results in its history.

Let¹s see why the Subaru Legacy wagon has become such a staple in Portland,
Palo Alto and Pasadena.

Design: The basic design of the Legacy GT wagon is clean and conservative.
There are two basic versions of this wagon, the other being the Outback,
which features lower body cladding to make it look like a brawny off-road
vehicle. False advertising I say. There¹s no doubt about the capabilities of
the Legacy wagon. I¹ve recommended it as a sane alternative for buyers in
the market for a vehicle with hauling versatility or outdoor enthusiasts
whose journeys limit them to some semblance of a road. The wagon has lots of
the benefits of a sport-utility vehicle with few of the drawbacks such as
trucklike driving characteristics, a ridiculous step-up height, high fuel
consumption and even higher sticker prices. But I prefer the cleaner look of
the Legacy GT model. You¹re not going to be bouncing off boulders in the
Subaru wagon, so why pretend.

Interior: The Legacy¹s interior could use an update, it is plain and
unattractive. Sometimes simple can be elegant, but here it looks and feels
cheap. The controls are fairly well laid out, but the smallish buttons and
switches aren¹t well marked.

Engine and transmission: The unique Subaru four-cylinder engine develops 
165 horsepower and reasonable power to get the vehicle up to speed with a
minimum of fuss. Although the Subaru four is one of the most powerful
engines in its class, it doesn¹t feel particularly strong. The engine in
modern terms is quite noisy, omitting a rumbling sound during acceleration.
The manual transmission seems solid and reliable with a positive,
predictable shift pattern.

Ride and handling: The GT model is touted as the more sporting version of
the three Legacy wagons available. And as much as I admire the Legacy wagon
as an alternative to the sport-utility vehicle, I would not recommend it to
an aggressive driver. Neither the wagon¹s steering or suspension provides
the underpinnings for spirited driving. I found that when entering a
high-speed curve, the suspension didn¹t adequately handle the weight
transfer necessary for a clean transition in a corner. And responsive
turn-in as you enter a curve is not part of the Legacy heritage either. If
you want a sporty affordable wagon, the Volkswagen Jetta with the V-6 engine
is the best choice. Fortunately, the Legacy¹s ride quality is just fine. It
handles every day road surface deformities with ease.

Utility: The Legacy wagon has adequate room for four adults, even for an
extended drive. It provides about 69 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear
seatbacks folded down, which accommodates a lot of sports or household gear.
The Legacy wagons all seem like they will take a lot of everyday family
use, and even some abuse‹and still be around to bequeath to your kids.

Value: Our Outback Limited delivers a sophisticated all-wheel ­drive system
and seems pretty well equipped for $24,000. The test car as delivered had no
options. The standard package includes the usual round of power equipment,
antilock brakes, alloy wheels and a remote security system. This seems to be
the right price point for a Subaru Legacy wagon. I recently tested a
high-end version of the Subaru wagon that topped $30,000. When a vehicle
gets up in this territory, it begins to compete with BMW and Audi, a very
competitive bunch with plenty of snob appeal to boot.

Vehicle: Subaru Legacy GT Wagon

Price as tested: $24,320

Engine:

         Type: 2.5-liter, opposed 4 cylinder

         Horsepower: 165 @ 5,600 rpm

         Torque: 166 ft. lbs. @ 4,000 rpm

Fuel economy, manual transmission

         City - 21 mpg

         Highway - 27 mpg

Curb Weight: 3,450 lbs.