2006 Subaru Legacy Long-Term Road Test (Wrap-up)
9,000 to 12,000 km Well-suited to our tough road conditions Over the last 3,000 kilometres, the midsize Legacy never forgot about its core values: fuel economy, liveability, comfort and permanent traction. Most of our test drivers have been satisfied by this Subaru. The only major criticism came from one of our taller colleagues, who found the front-seat legroom to be pretty limited.
A bit of towing We challenged the Legacy to tow a trailer using the factory-installed hitch. Subaru representatives warned us that the maximum towing capacity was 2,700 pounds, provided that the trailer had electric brakes. We checked it out and everything was OK. Thanks to its AWD system, the Legacy takes off effortlessly. We drove to Loudon, New Hampshire, and Mosport, Ontario, with Amyot's racing MG Midget in the trailer. In long uphill runs, we had to shift all the way down to third gear to keep pace (90-100 kph). Granted, even a V8-powered Newest RV pulling a lighter trailer could not climb as fast as we did. So, from this perspective, the Legacy met our expectations. The only difficulty we encountered was backing up with the trailer because rearward visibility is limited. The trailer hitch is also a bit low for towing; it was designed more for the Outback, which has a higher ground clearance. We should point out that the fuel consumption when towing ranges from 13 to 16 L/100 km.
The Legacy achieved a fuel economy rating of 10.4 L/100 km, which is excellent for a rather large midsize sedan. When driving smoothly on the highway, the consumption dropped to 8.4 L/100 km. And as our tests have shown, the fuel economy is even better with the automatic transmission.
Maintenance costs were essentially comprised of two oil changes (one at each 6,000 km) and a filter replacement -- as is recommended by the manufacturer. We booked an appointment at a Subaru dealer and all the work was completed right on time, with efficiency and courtesy. Meanwhile, the technicians also inspected the fluid levels, the clutch guard, the timing belt tension, the tire pressure and the general condition of the vehicle by performing a quick road test. Each inspection cost $61,98. The first comprehensive inspection will be performed when the Legacy reaches 24,000 km. Minor trouble On two separate occasions during the last leg of our long-term road test, we tried to start the car only to find out that the battery was dead. The first time, we might have forgotten to completely close the rear hatch and, consequently, the roof lamps must have been left on for a few days. The second time, however, we made sure that it was indeed closed. Anyhow, the CAA-Subaru roadside assistance service rapidly came to our rescue by boosting our car. We explained this trouble to the service manager, arguing that it might originate from a defective hatch closing system. Upon inspection, We were told that an electric switch inside the device was at fault--the same that warns the driver on the dashboard if any of the five doors is not closed. The switch was immediately replaced at no extra cost.
Since this review is being published after the 2007 model has arrived in dealerships, we thought it would be interesting to check out the main changes.
For 2007, there are no mechanical changes. As a result, the handling, power and performance levels are the same as in 2006. On the other hand, the base models lose several notable features, such as the heated front seats, the power-adjustable driver's seat and the retractable cargo cover (wagon). Meanwhile, the wheels have shrunk from 17 to 16 inches and the outside mirrors are black. You have to select the Touring Package ($2,000) to get the 17-inch alloys and the body-colored mirrors, not to mention the sunroof and the mirror-integrated turn signals. Why is that? Quite simply, Subaru wanted to keep the base price of the Legacy Wagon under $30,000. In my mind, the heated seats were a very attractive standard feature on base models. At least, the aforementioned core values of the Legacy remain untouched. Photos: Philippe Champoux
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