The new Subaru Legacy is easy to live with, particularly for drivers with a challenging commute, but it's perhaps unfortunate that my week with Subaru's 3.6-litre Legacy came so soon after its turbo GT launch.
This is Legacy's largest engine yet and the non-turbo, 181kw/350Nm six-cylinder boxer engine has the same torque and almost as much power as the range-topping vehicle. But it doesn't have the same punch.
Not only is it a second slower in the 0-100 sprint (7.3sec) but there's less urgency to its delivery. Which comes as no surprise when you note that the turbo GT delivers its torque anywhere from 2400 to 5200rpm, as maximum power arrives, while the 3.6 peaks substantially later at 4400.
It doesn't get the Bilstein dampers either, so the handling's softer.
No wonder my first impression wasn't entirely favourable but the thing did grow on me. Not its looks, which remained just the wrong side of quirky, but I soon appreciated how easy the Legacy is to live with.
I have a demanding, hilly commute with narrow, debris-strewn roads on Auckland's high-rainfall west coast. All-wheel drive may make the handling a tad inert but is delightfully confidence-inspiring during changeable spring weather.
The cabin's smart - particularly the striated metal-look surface - but there's too much naff plastic wood.
Seven crash bags, stability control and anti-lock brakes contribute to a five-star crash-test rating and a generous features list is topped off by keyless entry and a stop/start button. The seats were comfy, too.
But best yet, the 'intelligent' drive system now works far better. Its default is "sport" and to benefit from eco-drive you must choose that mode. It changes gear sooner to improve fuel economy during cruisy driving. To snap out of your doze just slap the accelerator down and she wakes up and boogies.
That makes the fuel-miser choice useable and I found myself naturally switching back and forth and opting for "sport sharp" only when the road got bendy. As a result the car drank 10.6 litres/100km, 0.9 more than the claim, presumably achieved only in abstemious "I" mode.
ALL THE GOODIES
Not bad for a big engine - and one driven with a bit of brio - but I'd spend five grand more for the better-handling, quicker and more frugal GT.
Among its features are dual-zone aircon, cruise and audio controls on the steering wheel, 10-way power driver's seat, keyless start, 17" alloy rims, security data dots.
The car is 4745mm long, has a 476-litre boot and its tank takes 65 litres.