The GT model has strong power (250 horsepower), making it fun to accelerate out of corners. Turbo lag is minimal, and once it spools up, the engine develops strong torque as it climbs rapidly and smoothly to redline, taking the car to an indicated 140 mph.
The 2.5i models benefit from a slight power increase (3 horsepower) over last year's models along with reduced weight. This makes them quicker than before. The manual transmission makes the best use of the engine's 168 horsepower.
The suspension soaks up road bumps and joints, with a bit more resonance (vibration) from the 17-inch wheels than the base 16-inch wheels. Washboard pavement in corners unsettles things enough to notice, but not enough to slow down. The Legacy is stable, though at very high speeds we noticed it was susceptible to cross winds and turbulence generated by 18-wheelers. Brakes in the various models are up to their powerplants' potential, with the top-of-the-line GT Limited well deserving of its high-performance componentry. The brakes are easy to modulate. Winding down a mountain road in Southern California, we found the brakes, suspension and engine in the GT wagon easy to coordinate, allowing for smooth driving that didn't upset our passengers. Little wind noise intrudes at highway speeds, save for around the seal around the moonroof when the undershade is retracted and from roof rack crossbars.
The all-wheel-drive system in the Legacy models differs in technical details by drivetrain: When fitted with the manual transmission, the all-wheel-drive system uses a viscous coupling, a locking center differential that splits the engine's power between the front and rear wheels; if the tires at one end begin to slip, the system sends more power to the other end; optimally, the split is 50/50, but power transfer can reach 100 percent to either end under extreme conditions. The four-speed automatic is matched with an electronically managed, continuously variable transfer clutch that distributes the power where it's best used, but no more than 50/50. The five-speed automatic transmission brings with it the most technologically advanced of Subaru's all wheel-drive system, the VTD, for Variable Torque Distribution. An electronically controlled, continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch manages the power distribution through a planetary center differential. Under normal conditions, the VTD splits the power 45/55 front/rear to give the GT more of a rear wheel-drive feel, but adjustments, to a maximum of 50/50, are made as road conditions dictate. All of these systems give the Legacy a sure-footed feel and greatly improve grip and handling stability in slippery conditions. Next Page