New Subaru Legacy, Outback

Two new additions have been added to the local Subaru stable, and Subaru’s Southern Africa brand and marketing manager Grant Bowring claims that “… the next generation of Legacy and Outback will take Subaru well into the second decade of the 21st century and they’re perfectly positioned to meet the needs of discerning buyers who wants the exceptional in terms of space as a full size sedan, comfort, safety and value”.On the styling front, Subaru has done away with a lot of the charms that made the previous-gen Legacy an enthusiasts car. This new model is more slab-like with minimal curves and features a front bumper design with a mesh-covered intake and chrome-bezelled foglamps. But… this may not be all bad seeing as this model has so far been a sales success in North America.

As for the Outback, Bowring believes that “… (it) provides the versatility and practicality of a wagon along with real on-/off-road ability- and thanks to the low centre of gravity of the Boxer engine and Symmetrical all-wheel-drive marries this dual-purpose role without the compromise normally associated with SUV-type vehicles. Making it even more compelling is a price-to-specification ration which is unbeatable for this class of vehicle”.

The Legacy is available in three versions and with a choice of two engines – a 2,0-litre petrol engine that delivers 110 kW and 196 N.m and a 123 kW 2,5-litre that has 229 N.m of torque. Two Outback derivatives are available and both are powered by the 2,5-litre powerplant.

Making up the Legacy line-up is the Legacy 2,0i Premium that comes with the choice of a six-speed manual or Lineartronic transmission. The Legacy 2,5i Sport Premium CVT differs with its carbon fibre facia inserts, alloy pedals, sports front bumper and grille, Bilstein suspension, 18-inch alloys and xenon headlamps with washers. The 2,5i Premium Outback is equipped with a choice of a sic-speed maunual or Linear CVT transmission. An electric sunroof and 17-inch alloys are standard.

Safety has been a key development in the new vehicles with the addition of a knee airbag for the driver to take the airbag total to seven across the entire range. Both vehicles achieved a five-star safety rating in a 2009 EuroNCAP test. Vehicle Dynamics Control and Brake Assist is standard on all models as is comfort and convenience features such as electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, leather trim, dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, sunroof, cruise control, mult-function trip computer and in-dash six-CD shuttle with AUX jack for the plug-in-and-play world of today.

Prices:

Outback 2,5i Premium R345 000 (6-spd manual), R358 000 (Lineartronic)

Legacy 2,0i Premium R299 000 (six-speed manual) R311 000 (Lineartronic CVT)

Legacy 2,5i Sports Premium R345 000

A three-year/100 000 km warranty and three-year/63 000 km maintenance plan is standard.

These two new Subarus claim to offer more over the respective predecessors, but can the new Legacy do justice to its name plate, and can the new Outback prove to be as practical as it claims to be? Read the road tests on both vehicles in the November issue of CAR magazine, on sale now. Also, keep a look out on CARtoday.com for a video Special Report, coming soon.