Used 2007 Subaru Legacy

Since making its historical mark in the mid-’90s with victories in the World Rally Championships, Subaru has staked claim to a hard-earned reputation for serious performance. Such an image, however, doesn’t always translate into increased sales. Subaru’s WRX and WRX STI enjoy a legion of fans, but that legion isn’t enough to support the sales volume appropriate for a market as expansive as the United States. To that end, performance derivatives of the Legacy, including the GT and (most recently) the new spec.B, are intended to excite enthusiasts, drive more mainstream customers into the showrooms and move Subaru into consideration against some near-luxury competitors, such as the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. On several levels the new Legacy succeeds, and the prospects only get brighter with modifications made to the 2007 lineup.

The Legacy, in its current iteration, is far removed from the rather plain sedan that, for too long, attempted to compete with the Accord and Camry. The goodness is only amplified in GT guise, and enhanced further as a spec.B. The ‘B’ references the Bilstein Sport Suspension, which includes inverted front struts and aluminum (for lighter unsprung weight) suspension components. These, and the aforementioned 18-inch wheel and tire combination, provide the spec.B with a singularly unified feel. Driver and passengers will enjoy a well-damped ride, pinpoint control and excellent lateral stability. When connected with 250 horsepower, Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive and SI-Drive, the end result is as exciting – or complacent – as you want it to be.

The interior shows competent execution and user-friendly ergonomics, combined with materials that are a significant step up from the Impreza’s. We’re most impressed by the relationship forged between driver and controls. In the spec.B the driver is located by supportive, leather-trimmed buckets featuring Alcantara inserts. Although the blue tone of the Alcantara is an acquired taste, there is no disputing the lateral support these inserts provide. Another touch point is the steering wheel, a leather-trimmed MOMO that looks great and provides a precise grip in combination with a comfortable, upscale texture.

The Legacy styling is quietly executed, and the spec.B doesn’t offer much in the way of differentiation. We like the Legacy’s unified shape that begins with a penetrating nose and continues rather like an airfoil, from the base of the windshield to the abbreviated rear deck. The greenhouse is adequately generous for good in-town visibility, while 18-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 tires generously fill the wheel openings.

SI Drive
By regulating the engine control unit, Subaru derives three distinct performance modes from its turbocharged powerplant. Select "Intelligent" mode and you reduce both power and torque, opting instead for a more relaxed throttle response and – it’s hoped – improved fuel efficiency. "Sport" provides an increase in acceleration, while "Sport Sharp" modifies the management’s electronic map to provide sharper throttle response and more power at a lower rpm.

Sport Bucket Seats
Arriving at a happy medium between firm lateral support and decent comfort isn’t always easy. With the spec.B’s sport buckets, Subaru’s product team seems to have struck the perfect balance. No complaints were heard from anyone about the seats being too restrictive, and the built-in lateral support, in conjunction with the Alcantara inserts, made for a supremely comfortable driving position.

Befitting a window sticker about $3,000 higher than a GT Limited, the spec.B should be well equipped, and it is. Rear seat backs split 60/40 are shared with the GT Limited, as is the trunk pass-through. With no wagon offered in spec.B form, the additional utility will be appreciated. While Subaru emphasizes active safety in both its engineering and advertising, passive safety is well covered, with front seat side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags standard. Dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power driver’s seat and four-way power passenger’s seat, a modest aerodynamic package and the Subaru Navigation system round out the significant standard features.

The spec.B is fully equipped from the factory, with only one transmission, the six-speed manual.

Only one other carmaker, Porsche, is so strongly identified with the boxer engine layout, with its horizontally-opposed cylinders, and there are very few manufacturers more closely identified with turbocharged engines. The spec.B shares its powertrain with the Legacy GT, delivering 243 horsepower and 241 pound-feet of torque in a completely linear fashion. Subaru is long past the point where its turbo powerplants were peaky; the power is pronounced right off the line, and a six-speed manual is one gear better than the previous five-speed. Subaru’s turbocharged boxer is very tractable and, based upon reported owner experience, also very reliable.

2.5 liter Boxer-4 Turbocharged
243 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
241 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26