Driven to senses

SUBARU LEGACY WAGON 2.0

Estates are popular in Europe because they have higher levels of practicality than saloons and hatchbacks. Moreover, such load-carriers have better on-road handling than SUVs.

But Thais have never really fathomed station wagons, as it is also known, probably because the next thing that comes to mind after a four-door saloon is that very fashionable sport-ute that has 4x4 appearance and commanding driving position.

That's why BMW preferred to promote the X3 and X5 over the 3- and 5-series Touring models in Thailand. The same could be said for the Audi choosing to highlight the Q5 and Q7 over the A4 and A6 Avant.

Volvo has already discontinued sales - and local assembly due to the flagging luxury car market - of the V70 and has turned to the XC60. However, the Swedes have just decided to do some imports of the aging V50.

So what's left in the premium estate market now that Citroen and Peugeot have become the last to abandon estates, namely their C5 Break and 407 SW?

It's the Subaru Legacy Wagon. That's it, if you don't count the mass-market Chevrolet Optra Estate. Actually, the local Subaru importer has made it a point that it wants to focus on the Wagon because it is basically unrivalled, thus filling a niche in the B2m sector.

Even though buyers can still opt for the saloon at B1.98m - B70,000 less than the Wagon - Subaru won't be surprised if punters are swayed to the cheaper, Thai-built Toyota Camry and its likes.

That said, we are talking about a small sales volume for the Legacy, even in Wagon form. Prospective customers are most likely to be owners of the previous model, as well as those who have always cherished the V70.

Like before, the Legacy stands out from the competition with four-wheel-drive system, not intended for tackling muddy terrain like in SUVs but for enhanced all-weather traction.

And to give buyers as much value for money as possible, the Legacy is priced basically the same as before, yet it comes with higher level of standard equipment especially on the safety side (see safety graphic).

In fact, Subaru should be applauded for trying to offer the most competitive prices for their imported cars. While most other brands have generally hiked car prices in the past years citing various reasons like foreign exchange rates, prices of Subaru have basically remained the same model-on-model.

Despite the safety-oriented kit of the Legacy, some luxuries obviously had to be omitted - like in the preceding model - such as leather seats and electric seat adjustment for the front passenger.

If these petty features don't bother you, the cabin of the Legacy is largely excellent in usage terms. Just like before, the driving position is nearly faultless, relaxed and comfortable.

Other occupants in the car are also treated with fine ergonomics. Rear passengers are treated with an airy feel that's mostly not present in European models, and they also get seats that can recline.

There are plenty of cubbie holes in the Legacy, as well as the right amount of bins, cupholders and bottleholders. The boot itself is large and the rear seats now fold flat via levers conveniently located on the sides at the rear, although it still lacks the three-part foldaway of the V70.

Even so, the Legacy is a very practical car with an easy to use interior that's also spacious and comfortable to be in. Actually, Subaru has done quite a good job in making the Legacy cavernous inside yet compact-looking from the outside.

But whether you are going to like the Legacy's exterior design is open to debate. The sharp-looking front end is arguably the only outstanding element that helps give the car a feeling of modernity.

Design was never a forte of Subaru, so it's best to consider the Legacy as an evolution over the older model. The same could be said for the interior where the instrument panel, steering wheel and gear lever feel upmarket against a backdrop of some hard plastics. Overall fit is good, though.

The driving experience itself is more predictable than news-making given that Subaru has now made it known that it wants to capture a wider audience with comfort-oriented driving styles rather than the simulating type for car buffs.

In spite of an improved 170hp 2.5-litre normally aspirated flat-four engine available in Japan, Thais get the same 150hp 2.0 version like before that's also used in the Impreza and Forester.

The traditional Boxer tune remains slightly audible but as muted as ever when compared to older Subarus, which isn't exactly a bad thing as refinement is an essential ingredient of a non-sporty family-mover.

But what differs from the old Legacy is the new CVT automatic transmission in place of the conventional four-speed slusher.

Acceleration feels more spirited that before. And if you find the smooth-shifting CVT a little too lazy in the mid-ranges, you can go into six-speed manual mode by using the paddle-shifters on the steering wheel.

Overall performance is more useful than before, but it can't be considered as plenty or thrilling. Nor is the fuel economy in which we managed to get no more than 10kpl on the average on a round-trip to Ratchaburi.

You then start to ponder about the bigger 2.5, which is the only engine in non-turbo form available in Japan that's claimed offer a better balance in performance and economy terms.

But thanks to the innovative excise tax system in Thailand, the 2.5 engine will be subject to a higher 35% rate instead of the 2.0's 30% thus pushing price up by a few B100k. That partially explains the Legacy's attractive prices.

Since the 2.0 motor is the least powerful unit for the Legacy, the all-round disc brakes work well with plenty of stopping power and good pedal action.

That also means there's plenty in store for the chassis to cope, providing Subaru with a good opportunity to inject more ride comfort in the Legacy.

The softly sprung suspension setting can be felt at low to medium speeds where road imperfections are easily ironed out. Pity about the Bridgestone OEMs that can be clearly felt and heard on such road surfaces, another result of cost-cutting.

Although high-speed composure is generally sufficient, the plush setting doesn't make handling that sharp on the limit. Making up for some driving security, however, is the all-wheel-drive system.

In fact, the balance between ride and handling in the Legacy feels nearly the same as in the Impreza and Forester which is to say that these three Subarus all want to attract non-enthusiasts - just the way Subaru apparently wants.

This rather sums up what the new Legacy is all about: refinement and driving comfort, both sensibly put into a well-packaged practical mover that aims to put livability above driving fun.

So for those looking for an estate with money to spare, no shopping is required because the Legacy is virtually without a direct competitor in Thailand. And it's quite a decent estate.

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