My first question when I picked up this Subaru was "What is PZEV?" Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle or PZEV is an emissions category used in the United States to signify a vehicle that meets much stricter emissions than normal. Special equipment is added, such as a charcoal canister on the intake to make sure that no fuel vapors can escape from the engine when shut off.
The catalytic exhaust uses a finer mesh and more material to do a better job of lowering exhaust emissions by up to 90% of what a regular new car puts out. In Canada, you are more likely to hear the name SULEV or Super Low Emissions Vehicle for the same thing.
Interior
Aside from the badge on the back and the embroidery on the floor mats, you would be hard pressed to tell that this Legacy is different from any other. As an entry-level trim, the PZEV is a bit plain with a cloth interior and a manually-adjustable passenger seat. The driver still has a power-adjustable seat, but there are no memory functions.
Regardless of the covering, Legacy bucket seats and rear bench are quite comfortable. The broad shape of the front buckets means that just about every body type will fit in comfortably. Seat travel takes care of legroom and the formal sedan roofline lets all but the tallest of occupants be comfortable.
Rear-seat space, with the seat set back for me to be comfortable in the front, is reasonable. I can sit comfortably and there is enough room for one other my size to fit. If someone were to try and use the middle seat belt, it would be a bit crowded. Mind you, three kids would fit across the back without problem.
Driver and controls
My favorite view is from the front left seat, and here Subaru instrumentation is standard with the tach and speedometer taking priority in the instrument cluster. The fuel and engine temp gauges are smaller, but still in plain view. The centre stack houses the HVAC system and the stereo. In keeping with entry-level status, the HVAC is manually controlled and the stereo controls are only on the centre stack. For those who like satellite radio, it is optional.
 |
| Getting around town, in and out of parking lots or just day to day driving in the Legacy is relaxing. |
The catalytic exhaust uses a finer mesh and more material to do a better job of lowering exhaust emissions by up to 90% of what a regular new car puts out. In Canada, you are more likely to hear the name SULEV or Super Low Emissions Vehicle for the same thing.
Interior
Aside from the badge on the back and the embroidery on the floor mats, you would be hard pressed to tell that this Legacy is different from any other. As an entry-level trim, the PZEV is a bit plain with a cloth interior and a manually-adjustable passenger seat. The driver still has a power-adjustable seat, but there are no memory functions.
Regardless of the covering, Legacy bucket seats and rear bench are quite comfortable. The broad shape of the front buckets means that just about every body type will fit in comfortably. Seat travel takes care of legroom and the formal sedan roofline lets all but the tallest of occupants be comfortable.
Rear-seat space, with the seat set back for me to be comfortable in the front, is reasonable. I can sit comfortably and there is enough room for one other my size to fit. If someone were to try and use the middle seat belt, it would be a bit crowded. Mind you, three kids would fit across the back without problem.
Driver and controls
My favorite view is from the front left seat, and here Subaru instrumentation is standard with the tach and speedometer taking priority in the instrument cluster. The fuel and engine temp gauges are smaller, but still in plain view. The centre stack houses the HVAC system and the stereo. In keeping with entry-level status, the HVAC is manually controlled and the stereo controls are only on the centre stack. For those who like satellite radio, it is optional.
 |
| The Subaru instrumentation is standard with the tach and speedometer taking priority in the instrument cluster. |