First Glance
So, I have this friend you should get to know. She's got a great personality, she's really fun, comfortable and a great performer. Looks? Well, she's got a great personality!Okay, so the Legacy Sedan has kind of a funny looking nose. It's round, and a little bulbous, and it doesn't really fit with the rest of the body. There's a bump in the middle, an air intake that bulges the hood in the center.
The sides and back of the Legacy are more linear, with straighter lines running front to rear and big, functional tail lights and a flat deck lid. The optional spoiler and Atlantic Blue Pearl paint ($380) were well applied, and there's a definite feeling of quality construction from stem to stern. The projector style headlights are high-tech looking, and sleekly enclosed behind plexi covers.
The individual pieces may work well, but put them together the result is underwhelming. It's not that the Legacy is an ugly car, because it isn't. It's just trapped in-between genres, with some of the unique styling of the Subaru family tempered by a more sedate, mature look. That might be a good thing, though, because you're going to want some stealth ability once you get this car moving on the road.
Like I said, she's got a great personality.
In the Driver's Seat
The supportive seat has an 8-way power adjustment, and the leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel is tilt-adjustable. It's easy to find a performance driving position. The instrument panel is clear and efficient, with big red needles sweeping across the tachometer and speedometer in the center of the cluster right above the wheel. Subaru has not cluttered the steering wheel with F1-style controls, choosing instead to add a lever behind the wheel for the cruise control switches.
The center stack of climate and radio controls features large buttons and dials, which are very easy to find and operate. A small compartment at the top of the center stack is just the right size for a cell phone and a pair of sunglasses, but a sticker inside warns that the compartment may get hot, so I'm not sure what you could actually keep in there safely -- certainly not candy bars. I'm not a big fan of fake wood, but the woodgrain accents on the dash pillars of the Legacy don't look half bad.
The power moonroof is a nice addition, especially the tilt-up feature that's great for letting in a little fresh air while burning up the road.
On the Road
There are cars that just beg to be driven fast, cars that taunt you to test the limits of your drivers license and insurance rate. The Legacy GT is one of those cars.The 2.5 liter 4-cylinder boxer engine is turbocharged and cranks out 250 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. That translates to rocket-like acceleration off the line, and great power throughout the rev range. If you like jackrabbit starts and cheetah bursts of power, you're going to love the Legacy GT.
In the old days of turbocharging, when you pressed down on the gas pedal you'd have to wait a second before the turbo pressure built up enough to produce power, and then it came on in a hurry. We called it "turbo lag," and it could be treacherous and hard to control. Subaru has tamed turbo lag, and the Legacy GT can be driven in a safe and sane manner (if you have self-control), while still taking advantage of the great performance.
The rest of the car is up to the challenge as well, with a firm suspension, great 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and Subaru's standard All-Wheel Driving System. The Legacy GT is capable of charging around corners and curves with abandon. This car is a siren, beckoning you to drive hard every time you get behind the wheel. It's a whole lot of fun.
Journey's End
The Legacy GT Sedan is a unique vehicle. It may not appeal to you at first glance, but it will make its case the second you drive it. The Legacy GT lineup also includes a Wagon, which I think is more attractive than the Sedan and adds utility for an upcharge of about $1000. The EPA estimates that you can expect 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway from the Legacy GT, though I'd expect the low end of the range if you drive with a lead foot like I do.
In terms of price, the Legacy is in the same league as the Audi A4, Saab 9-3 and Volvo S40; though it will blow the doors off of all of 'em. If you lust after a Mitsubishi Evo or Subaru WRX but can't see yourself surviving the punishment or the stares on a daily basis, the Subaru Legacy GT Sedan is a car to consider. You'll get a car you can drive hard without being pushed to your own limits.
If you agree that looks aren't everything, you can have a very fulfilling relationship with the Legacy GT.
