There are more comparisons with the petrol-powered Legacy when you’re on the road. Until a six-speed manual gearbox arrives, Subaru has elected to fit a five-speed unit to both the Legacy and Outback diesels. Given the slight wide-spaced ratios, you can almost drive the diesel Legacy like it’s the petrol model.
It does genuinely pay to be in the right gear at the right time, and this is most noticeable around town – too high a gear will blunt the car’s acceleration, and there’s no real penalty in terms of extra engine noise if you stay in a lower gear.
Taking the same approach on faster roads, and even changing gear more often than normal to exploit the conditions if you want some fun, is the way to go. That said, the car is perfectly happy to amble along on the motorway at the speed limit, and there’s no real danger of being caught out and needing fourth gear to overtake a slower car.
There’s no question that Subaru’s diesel motor is an impressive piece of kit. The numbers – power, acceleration, economy, CO2 – all stack up in the face of some serious competition. Performance more than adequate and refinement is eerily petrol-like, even down to the trademark boxer ‘thrum’ from the engine.
And then there’s the car itself. The Legacy Sports Tourer is a fine tool in its own right. The 2007 model year revisions – better quality cabin, subtle styling tweaks – have done much to raise the car’s profile. It now boasts a more upmarket cabin feel, which helps when drawing comparisons with cars from the likes of Ford, Volkswagen, Honda and Toyota.
Along with generous equipment levels, the Sports Tourer (for now the only diesel Legacy being offered until demand is deemed sufficient to include the saloon) is an extremely practical car. Its load bay is a good size and with the rear seats folded it can carry a surprising amount of stuff.
The arrival of the diesel engine in the Legacy Sports Tourer completes the circle in terms of sensibility and desirability. The car was always a polished performer, but fellow hacks and I would always preface any recommendation with the line that if they (Subaru) had a diesel the combination of permanent all-four wheel drive, dependable yet entertaining driving dynamics, affordability and durability would be near-impossible to beat.
Now, thanks to Subaru’s determination and expertise, we have that combination in the shape of the Legacy Sports Tourer. The price is right, the whole ownership proposition – fuel economy, CO2 tax band, running costs – is right, making it one of Subaru’s most compelling cars in recent years.
STAT BOX:
Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer 2.0TD R, from £19,995.
Engine: 2.0-litre diesel unit developing 148bhp.
Transmission: five-speed manual transmission as standard, driving all four wheels.
Maximum speed: 126
0-60mph: 8.5.
Economy: 49.6mpg.
CO2 Rating: 151g/km.
