Subaru Legacy 3.0 all wheel drive

When we first contact and test new cars, we have to do it over and over again, as it can quickly happen that the initial enthusiasm for a car, which is usually "twisted" by promises and information on paper, changes or confirms some important or minor details. It was the same with the Subaru Legacy.

Price from a few thousand to 10 million tolar, three-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, 180 kilowatts or 245 horsepower, 297 Newton meters of torque, five-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive from a renowned manufacturer such as Subaru, and a very long list of standard equipment represents most of the facts and expectations of a highly technically advanced vehicle. Reasonable?

Let's start with the horses. There are so many of them under the hood that you can constantly replenish the state budget with speeding tickets. The measured top speed of 237 km / h and the acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in just 8 seconds only confirm this. To effectively transfer power and torque to the road, a car also needs a good chassis.

Position and stability on the road are due to the car's low center of gravity (the structurally low boxer engine is installed relatively low in the car), very good permanent all-wheel drive and a rigid chassis at an enviably high level. ... Thus, the slide is shifted along the speed scale in height.

Bad surfaces, especially smooth or wet asphalt, warn of exaggeration by sliding off the front of the vehicle. The understeer of the car can be dealt with thanks to the sufficiently responsive and direct steering gear, but unfortunately it is slightly damaged (presumably due to too much power steering) by its (too) poor feedback.

The tax due to the excellent location is paid by the passengers comfortably. Short bumps and impact pits cause discomfort from the vehicle, and transverse road waves shake it. The highlight is the sporty 17-inch low-cut shoe, which undoubtedly contributes more to the vehicle's stability and sporty appearance than driving comfort.

We have already written that a three-liter unit develops a maximum of 180 kilowatts or 245 "horsepower", which is the highest class among three-liter units, and a maximum of 297 Newton meters. However, we did not write that it reaches the specified power at a relatively high 6600 or 4200 rpm.

The last digit indicates the engine rev range above which the transmission is most convincing, as up to about 4000 rpm the engine simply isn't convincing enough due to relatively soft acceleration. Probably, this is facilitated by the design of the automatic transmission, or rather, its hydraulic couplings.

Thanks to its technical design, it is known for the fact that even the most powerful engine gets at least some kind of maneuverability and explosiveness. This is why the Legacy 3.0 AWD more than ideally compensates for the limited flexibility of the engine in the lower rev range in the upper half of the engine's operating range, where, among other things, it brings joy when cornering.

The very responsive gearbox also contributes, shifting into one or two gears with slightly more determined and quicker depressing of the accelerator pedal. The result, of course, is an increase in engine speed and a jump in the herd of horsepower from a three-liter engine to all four limbs. This race will end at a high 7000 rpm, but then the transmission shifts to the next higher gear and thus continues to accelerate.

With six-cylinder engines, gas lovers are quick to come up with a noble melody that accompanies the operation of such engines, but unfortunately this is not the case with the Legacy 3.0. The engine voice is very muffled, which is welcome in terms of a comfortable ride and easy conversation between passengers.

The engine sound is exemplary quiet in the first half of the revs (up to about 3000 rpm), and above this limit, the engine is not accompanied by the characteristic noble symphony of the six-cylinder engine, which is usually full. tonal color. This is evidenced by the fact that the four-cylinder supercharged boxer in the Impreza WRX STi has a more seductive voice than the six-cylinder in the Legacy.

The brakes deserve criticism too. Their excellent performance is clearly demonstrated by the measured short stopping distances. Heavy and prolonged braking at high speeds is accompanied by unpleasant drumming and shaking of the heated brakes, which leave an unpleasant taste for the driver (and passengers).

The Legacy will also receive some disapproval, but also some approval in terms of interior space. Passengers will find ample fore and aft legroom in the front and rear seats. Consequently, both types of seats are likely to have head height in inches, which is especially noticeable for people taller than 180 centimeters.

There are two reasons that are causing the problem. Firstly, the ceiling is too low, and secondly, the roof of the test car had a built-in skylight, which further lowered the already low ceiling. This inconvenience could be alleviated, at least in part, if the front seats allowed a little more downward movement.

Just as it would be nice if the front seats allowed more downward movement, the additional upward movement of the steering wheel would also be more than welcome. This (if you are taller) will partially overlap the top of the gauge with the top of the ring. However, the ring does not even allow post-band adjustment. Well, we hope you agree with us that a man in a $ 10 million car is entitled to more freedom in organizing a work environment than the Legacy offers for the money.

There are quite a few storage spaces in the cabin, but unfortunately most of them are uselessly small and narrow. Legacy takes relatively poor care of larger items of luggage. They find their place in the 433-liter lower-middle trunk, which provides longitudinal increase and flexibility (the rear seat backrest can be reclined 60:40).

However, the engineers ran out of ideas for "extra" loading mechanism springs, which protrude into the boot and thereby spoil the overall impression. There will be no unnecessary caution when stowing luggage in it. When closing the trunk, we also did not notice the inner handle for closing the lid "hands-free".

Subaru may have wanted to replace at least some of the perceived shortcomings or inconveniences with a particularly rich list of standard equipment. Navigation system (DVD), (indivisible) automatic air conditioning, leather upholstery, four-wheel drive, all modern car safety acronyms, a central touchscreen (used for the on-board computer, navigation system and for more detailed configuration of some systems in the car) are just some of the most noble elements of a really long list of standard equipment that justifies the car's eight-figure price tag.

Despite the excellent quality of some parts and rich packaging equipment, we cannot ignore the bitter aftertaste that some poorly crafted and imaginary parts of the car leave behind. This could make the engine sound more noble, the chassis should certainly be much more comfortable to travel, the seat could allow more downward movement, and the steering wheel should be adjusted after departure.

Perhaps our initial expectations were too high. But the fact is that the Legacy 3.0 AWD fell short of them, despite repeated attempts. There are simply too many flaws in it to forgive the machine for 10 million tolar.

Of course, you are smaller people (under 180 centimeters tall) and a distinctly dynamic nature (read: shake-proof cars on bad roads) may be an exception. So you may not even notice some of the biggest grievances against Legacy that we blame it for. if you are in this group, bless you! The author of the article was not intended for such pleasure. Well, at least not in Legacies, but he'll be in another car. What's next? Ah, waiting. .

Peter Humar

Photo by Alyosha Pavletich.

Subaru Legacy 3.0 all wheel drive

Basic data

Sales:	Interservice doo
Base model price:	41.712,57 €
Test model cost:	42.213,32 €
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Power:	180kW (245 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	8,4 with
Maximum speed:	237 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	9,6l / 100km

Technical information

engine:	6-cylinder - 4-stroke - boxer - petrol - displacement 3000 cm3 - maximum power 180 kW (245 hp) at 6600 rpm - maximum torque 297 Nm at 4200 rpm
Energy transfer:	all-wheel drive - 5-speed automatic transmission - tires 215/45 R 17 W (Bridgestone Potenza RE050 A)
Capacity:	top speed 237 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 8,4 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 13,6 / 7,3 / 9,6 l / 100 km
Transportation and suspension:	sedan - 4 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, leaf springs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear single suspension, spring struts, two cross rails, longitudinal rails, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc (forced cooling) - driving radius 10,8 m - fuel tank 64 l
Mass:	empty vehicle 1495 kg - permissible total weight 2030 kg
Box:	Trunk volume measured with AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total volume 278,5L): 1 × backpack (20 l); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 2 × suitcase (68,5 l); 1 × suitcase (85,5 l)

Our measurements

T = 12 ° C / p = 1031 mbar / rel. vl. = 39% / Odometer Condition: 6645 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	8,3s
402m from the city:	16,2 years ( 144 km / h)
1000m from the city:	29,1 years ( 182 km / h)
Maximum speed:	237km / h (IV. And V.)
Minimum consumption:	11,5l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	14,7l / 100km
test consumption:	12,7 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	37,4m
AM table:	40m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	55dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear	54dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear	54dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	60dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear	58dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear	58dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear	68dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear	66dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear	66dB
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (331/420)

• We blame the Legacy mainly for the stiffer suspension, low roof, and limited steering wheel adjustment. We praise the position, handling, four-wheel drive and driving performance.

• Exterior (14/15)

  The shape of the Legacy sedan is very harmonious. The workmanship is at a high level.

• Interior (109/140)

  Inside, we are annoyed by the lack of headroom and the rich standard equipment is impressive.

• Engine, transmission (36
  
  
  / 40)

  A powerful and rather gluttonous engine is combined with a rare unfinished gearbox.

• Driving performance (80
  
  
  / 95)

  Legacy 3.0 AWD feels great on twisty roads. Position and handling are best in class.

• Performance (27/35)

  We're missing out on a lot of flexibility at the bottom of the engine speed, but are replacing the lost one at the top.

• Security (23/45)

  Among the very rich safety equipment, only xenon headlights are missing. The braking distance is very short.

• Economy

  With the money deducted, you get a lot of cars in the Legacy. Fuel consumption is acceptable in terms of capacity.

We praise and reproach

Alloy

conductivity

rich standard equipment

four-wheel drive vehicle

engine

soundproofing

longitudinal knee space for rear passengers

limited headroom

depth-adjustable steering wheel

accidental rough gear shifting

awkward chassis

there is no inner handle on the trunk lid