Not every car from Japanese automaker Subaru is a high-adrenalin machine but all-wheel drive is standard on all its products - such as the Legacy 2.0R
(sedan or wagon, sir?) that recently replaced the 2.5-litre model as the brand's "entry level" unit.
Sure, it's not a fire-breather like the high-profile Impreza WRX or STi but economic reality dictates that automakers must produce budget models, even if the Legacy 2.0 R Sportshift automatic tested here costs R239 000.
It's certainly no pulse-quickener in terms of straight-line performance. The engine is a mild, by Subaru standards, non-turbo, two-litre, quad-valve capable of 121kW that gives smooth, but never scintillating, pace and eventually gets to a top speed of 210km/h.
But fear not, it's a real Subaru and it comes to life in the handling department. Show it a curvy road and it rewards with steering that's sharp and responsive and enough acceleration to make it a great driver's car.
Subaru's all-wheel drive is the key - along with the horizontally opposed, four-cylinder engine that lies low in its bay and the 215/45 high-performance rubber on light 17" alloy rims. Wet or dry, the Legacy won't run out of traction in a hurry - but it will stop quickly thanks to its anti-lock disc brakes.
It's quiet, too; a recent range-wide upgrade included new bushes on the engine-bearing sub-frame to reduce road noise transmission.
Five-speed auto boxes are the norm these days (there are six and even seven-speed autos available) so the four-speed auto/manual sequential on the Subaru is not only dated but slow - especially up here on the highveld.
Kickdowns in auto mode include a long and annoying pause. Flicking through the shifts in manual mode makes the car more pleasant to drive.
That aside, the Legacy has some great improvements over the previous model. Enter, via the trademark doors with no window frame, and you'll find a much better cabin. The plastic on the dashboard is soft-touch and has a high-class feel and the general fit-'n-finish is pretty good.
Yet is still doesn't equal that of German prestige cars.
Seating? Cloth-upholstered and will take four adults in comfort, with lots of rear-seat legroom. Luggage? Boot space a useful 433 litres despite its full-sized spare wheel, and the split rear seats fold for more cargo space.
The form-hugging driver's seat - cloth covered, like the rest - is height-adjustable, as is the steering-wheel. Pity it doesn't do reach as well so longer-legged drivers such as me can achieve a better driving position.
Though this is the entry-level Legacy there's no shortage of comforts; standard equipment includes automatic air-conditioning with vents throughout the car, cruise control, a trip data computer and power windows with "one-touch" control for the driver.
Leather trims the steering wheel, gearshifter knob and handbrake.
Clutter space is plentiful, including a front armrest that doubles as a storage bin between the front seats. As on other Legacy models, six crash bags are standard.
SUMMARY
For people accustomed to high-performance, maximum-adrenaline machines from Subaru, the Legacy 2.0R represents a paradigm shift. This
The Legacy 2.0R is a grown-up model for... let's call them mature drivers who seek a refined family car with space, lots of features and honest performance but still appreciate the benefits of Subaru's sharp, all-wheel-drive handling.
Pricewise, at R239 000, the car is in the same league as less-powerful premium German sedans such as Audi's A4 2.0 Multitronic (96kW) for R239 500 and BMW's 320i (110kW) for R247 000.
The Subaru is also pitched against less aspirational auto competitors such as the Mazda 62.3 Dynamic (122kW) for R233 990 and VW Passat 2.0 Comfortline Tiptronic (110kW) for R238 000.