Review: 2007 Legacy 2.5 GT Limited on ajc.com

[SVXdc]

This review appeared on the front page of the Friday, April 27, 2007 issue of the Atlanta Journal Constitution's cars section (page S1). Text from this link:

Subaru is a good sport (may change or go away eventually).

____________________________________________________

 

[Original print headline:]

Sporty, sophisticated

 

[Web headline:]

Subaru Legacy is sporty -- but not a sports car

 

By CLINT WILLIAMS

Published on: 04/27/07

 

The Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited is a compact sedan trying really hard to be a sports car. It's not quite there, but the handling and 243 horsepower make for a fun commute.

 

(click to see larger version)

(Print article attribution: "Photo by Subaru". Web version attribution: "Greg Jarem")

The Legacy's handling and 243 horsepower make for a fun commute.

 

 

Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited

Body styles:

four-door sedan

 

Price:

$30,303

 

Drive:

all-wheel

 

Seating:

two in front, three in back

 

Engine:

2.5-liter intercooled, turbocharged four cylinder

 

Transmission:

five-speed automatic

 

Miles per gallon of fuel:

EPA estimate 19 city/ 25 highway

WHAT'S SPECIAL: The Si-Drive system is almost like having two different cars. A flick of the switch adjusts the electronic throttle control — Intelligent mode is a more sedate response that provides less power and more fuel economy; Sport and Sport Sharp modes provide much quicker acceleration. And much more fun.

WHAT WE LIKE: The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder provides a pleasing amount of giddyup when the Si-Drive is set in the Sport or Sport Sharp mode. Handling is very nice. The front cabin features a handsome mix of wood and brushed metal — or reasonable facsimile.

WHAT ISN'T THERE: An armrest for the driver. The center console, which hides a 12-volt plug and jack for an MP3 player, is set too far back to serve as armrest, and access is awkward. There isn't enough interior storage for a family sedan.

YOU OUGHTA KNOW: The Legacy family includes a wagon model, which offers a dual-panel moonroof and 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. All models offer all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine requires premium unleaded gasoline, which might motivate you to use the fuel-saving Intelligent mode more often.

EXTRAS: The Subaru Legacy is built for the Great White North with heated front seats, heated mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer as standard equipment. So Atlanta Legacy drivers have no excuse for staying home during the next ice storm. More widely appreciated features include dual-zone automatic climate control and power driver and passenger seats. New for this year is satellite radio capability.

 

AND ANOTHER THING: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Legacy a "Top Safety Pick" for 2007. Standard equipment includes side curtain air bags and front seat side-impact air bags.

 

EDMUNDS.COM

 

"Overall, the current Subaru Legacy is the best yet. We're fond of its energetic personality and all-wheel-drive capability, and we feel it's a good choice for somebody desiring an affordable midsize sport sedan or wagon. However, the 2007 Subaru Legacy is still somewhat of an alternative choice."

 

CAR AND DRIVER

 

"Subtle visual changes — new headlights and taillights and a larger and more pronounced grille opening — give the car more presence. Looks aside, the primary focus of this midcycle freshening is to improve the dynamics of the Legacy. Under the hood, the 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter boxer engines may carry over unchanged from last year, but a throatier exhaust gives the flat-four and flat-six a more menacing presence."

[Dong Homez]

Unfortunately, this article is released when all the wagons are gone.

[john_knoxville]

a throatier exhaust gives the flat-four and flat-six a more menacing presence."

is this accurate? does anyone have a sound file of this?