Engine
Power for the PZEV comes from a 2.5-litre "boxer" four that puts out 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Subaru says that one of the traits of the PZEV engine is that it may idle rougher than normal when cold and have an accelerated idle, similar to an old carbureted engine with a fast idle. Once there is some heat in the system (the main priority is to warm up the catalyst), idle returns to normal, but may stay a bit rough. I've found that boxer engines in general tend to seem rough at idle so I would consider this to be normal and not an issue.
Transmission
PZEV versions of the Legacy use a four-speed automatic (a five-speed manual is available) which is the same as the Touring trim version. Naturally, Subaru's all-wheel drive system is standard. For those who are unfamiliar with the system, it is a full-time setup that can vary the torque split from a front bias to a 50/50 split.
All-wheel drive has come in handy, given how slippery our streets have become this spring. And when proper winter tires are added to the mix, I hardly noticed that it was icy out. I had enough traction so that acceleration, cornering and stopping were no big deal. In one situation, I was able to totally miss someone else on no-season-tires who totally misjudged stopping distances.
Ride Quality
Another plus for the Legacy is ride quality. The ice is melting and making some roads a bit on the rough side due to both the emerging potholes and just the way the ice is melting. Legacy takes these bumps in its stride. All but the most severe are heard as the tires hit them, but not felt to any degree inside.
Getting around town, in and out of parking lots or just day to day driving in the Legacy is relaxing. It is small enough to fit in just about every parking space in town and has the all-round visibility that lets you see what is going on. The turning radius is good and there is virtually no axle bind when the front wheels are at full lock.
Conclusion
I always enjoy driving a Subaru, and as a company that was one of the first two (Audi was the other) to offer all-wheel drive cars for sale, and as a winner of World Rally Championships, it should not be a surprise that this car is fun to drive and reasonably miserly on fuel.
photo:Charles Renny
Power for the PZEV comes from a 2.5-litre "boxer" four that puts out 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Subaru says that one of the traits of the PZEV engine is that it may idle rougher than normal when cold and have an accelerated idle, similar to an old carbureted engine with a fast idle. Once there is some heat in the system (the main priority is to warm up the catalyst), idle returns to normal, but may stay a bit rough. I've found that boxer engines in general tend to seem rough at idle so I would consider this to be normal and not an issue.
Transmission
PZEV versions of the Legacy use a four-speed automatic (a five-speed manual is available) which is the same as the Touring trim version. Naturally, Subaru's all-wheel drive system is standard. For those who are unfamiliar with the system, it is a full-time setup that can vary the torque split from a front bias to a 50/50 split.
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| Power for the PZEV comes from a 2.5-litre "boxer" four that puts out 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. |
All-wheel drive has come in handy, given how slippery our streets have become this spring. And when proper winter tires are added to the mix, I hardly noticed that it was icy out. I had enough traction so that acceleration, cornering and stopping were no big deal. In one situation, I was able to totally miss someone else on no-season-tires who totally misjudged stopping distances.
Ride Quality
Another plus for the Legacy is ride quality. The ice is melting and making some roads a bit on the rough side due to both the emerging potholes and just the way the ice is melting. Legacy takes these bumps in its stride. All but the most severe are heard as the tires hit them, but not felt to any degree inside.
Getting around town, in and out of parking lots or just day to day driving in the Legacy is relaxing. It is small enough to fit in just about every parking space in town and has the all-round visibility that lets you see what is going on. The turning radius is good and there is virtually no axle bind when the front wheels are at full lock.
Conclusion
I always enjoy driving a Subaru, and as a company that was one of the first two (Audi was the other) to offer all-wheel drive cars for sale, and as a winner of World Rally Championships, it should not be a surprise that this car is fun to drive and reasonably miserly on fuel.
photo:Charles Renny
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