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I see no reason why anyone would choose this over any other estate out there now. Previously the Legacy Sportswagon was classy, understated, nimble and above all a very decent car (although the gear spacing on that car was questionnable for the diesel). This is bland and... blah. Shocked they've left such a gap between 2nd and 3rd, despite having a 6 speeder...

Looks like the first Legacy ever I'll give a wide berth. Conveniently released at the same time as the only Impreza I've failed to want.

Life may be hard, Subaru, but you're doing yourself no favours.

Not too keen on the front end styling, looks a bit like a Vauxhall Vectra, especially the front light clusters.

Re: Autocar road test,

Suprised Autocar only got 3.7 sec 0-30  and 10.6 sec 0-60 in accel testing, when the all wheel drive should give great traction away and 148 bhp/258 ft lb torque is quite impressive, Subaru claims 0-62.5 in 9.6.

 

Calorus:

Looks like the first Legacy ever I'll give a wide berth. Conveniently released at the same time as the only Impreza I've failed to want.

Quite so. This sounds like a real disappointment. Pity.

People bought Subarus beacause they were different. I don't think even 1 out of 10 Legacy buyers considered a Vauxhall or a Ford as an alternative buy.

Now Forester, despite having been deprived of some of its originality, is the only Subaru worth buying. Shame.

So disappointed with this car... as the article says, that attempt to appeal to a wider audience has really left Subaru with an insipid machine. I am a Legacy owner ('98 B4 RSK saloon) and feel a little betrayed by this change of direction. The version of the Legacy after mine (and prior to this new one) seemed a good compromise between performance (which it largely retained) and and a more refined engine/upgraded cockpit. I have actually sat in this new Legacy at my local (Japanese) dealer, and it is certainly bigger and more luxurious. But seems like the driving experience has dissipated somewhat. And don't really go for the new body. A couple of points worth noting though - the top of the range GT keeps its twin-scroll turbo 270-ish HP engine, and presumably performance to match. Secondly, I have already seen the saloon version around town here, but as to whether it will make it to the UK, who knows. There is also a saloon GT. I hope the performance versions make it overseas. I would be very interested to read Autocar's review of the GT (I think I even saw a Spec-B version in the brochure!). But I won't hold my breath...

As a very long serving Subaru Dealer and having the opportunity to drive OLD v's New back to back i can only ask that Subaru fans give it a chance and come and drive one. Although fuel economy is slightly reduced the ride , comfort and passenger compartment is a serious upgrade .

Golly I feel a little pity for a car dealer. Oh, it has gone.

I own a 2003 model of this car and the two best features are wet weather traction and overall handling. It is the best handling estate I have driven. Now Subaru have gone and made it slower, uglier ( much ) and less nimble. Why would I buy it now ? This just continues the trend with the latest crop of vehicles. They are obviously spending too much time with Toyota, the ultimate purveyor of boring vehicles. I can't see them surviving at this rate; they will never appeal enough to mainstream buyers, and they are alienating their current customers. Therein lies the path to destruction.

I think they've ruined the look of the Legacy.  I was so close to buying the outgoing Legacy diesel, and to be honest everytime I see one wish I had.  However, I would never consider this one.  It just looks so overweight and cumbersome compared to the old one.

Plus the the frameless doors have gone!  Gutted

It was the unavailability of a diesel automatic that crossed this car of my list (I got a V70 AWD instead). But, judging from this report it seems that, even if an automatic had been available, it might not have been as good a choice as the V70. I suppose I must wait to see how reliable the V70 turns out to be before I have a definitive answer (trustworthiness means a lot more to me than B road entertainment value).

So far I am very happy with the V70 (the first Volvo I have owned). The D5 engine has great, honest grunt and the car is really, really comfortable on a very long run. This is the first car I have had with an active cruise control and I am amazed how much stress it takes out of inter-city driving. Having said that, the navigation system is hardly state-of-the-art and the autobox has a mind of its own - but not to the extent of being really annoying.