2006 Subaru Legacy Philadelphia PA

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2006 Subaru Legacy Overview

All Legacy models come with a full array of safety features, including dual-stage frontal airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and full-coverage side curtain airbags. The front seats have active head restraints. Antilock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) are standard across the line. And all-wheel drive is certainly a safety feature. All this stuff is standard. Many other vehicles with lower base prices, sell these features as extra-cost options.

Subaru now wants to be viewed as a premium brand, not a luxury brand like Lexus or Mercedes, but premium in the level of technology it offers. Subaru certainly lives up to that. Its all-wheel-drive systems are among the best in the world, honed through its success in the World Rally Championship, and Subaru designs its awd systems specifically for each model and driveline offered, ensuring optimum performance. Subaru's premium technology goes well beyond all-wheel drive, however. The engines and suspensions are highly engineered, resulting in a car that offers excellent handling on paved and unpaved roads along with a smooth, comfortable, though not cushy, ride quality.

Subaru has long been a cult favorite among drivers who face inclement conditions or want to get off the paved roads for sports activities and want a tough, reliable vehicle that gets decent fuel economy. The Legacy is a superb vehicle for snow, gravel roads and dirt roads.

Handling of the 2006 Subaru Legacy

The all-wheel-drive system in the Legacy models differs in technical details by drivetrain. All of these systems give the Legacy a sure-footed feel and greatly improve grip and handling stability in slippery conditions.

Brakes in the various models are up to their powerplants' potential and easy to modulate, with the GT Limited benefiting from its high-performance components. Winding down a mountain road in Southern California, we found the brakes, suspension and engine in the GT wagon easy to coordinate, allowing for smooth driving that didn't upset our passengers.

The suspension soaks up road bumps and joints, though the 17-inch wheels produce some resonance (vibration). Washboard pavement in corners unsettles the car enough to notice, but not enough to cause any anxiety. The Legacy is stable at interstate speeds, though we noticed it was susceptible to cross winds and turbulence generated by 18-wheelers.

2006 Subaru Legacy Lineup

The 2.5 GT spec B sedan is a limited-edition 2006 model that features an exclusive Bilstein Sport Suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, 215/45R18 summer tires, aerodynamic side moldings, the navigation system, a premium audio system with MP3, aluminum alloy pedals, and a three-spoke Momo steering wheel with integrated audio controls. The spec B is distinguished by its Titanium Silver Metallic paint and Brick Red leather-trimmed seating.

The 2.5 GT Limited sedan and wagon are upgraded with perforated leather upholstery; a power driver's seat; a four-way power passenger's seat; sporty front seats; a Momo three-spoke steering wheel (with integrated, Sportshift buttons when the automatic is ordered); turn signals integrated into the outside mirrors; dressed-up door sills; Z-rated all-season tires; larger brake discs, with vented rear rotors; and a moonroof. The five-speed manual is standard. The five-speed automatic is optional. The 2.5 GT Limited sedan is also available packaged with a navigation system and automatic transmission.

The 2.5i Limited sedan features leather trim (on the seats, steering wheel, handbrake grip and shifter knob); dual-zone automatic air conditioning; a power driver's seat; an in-dash, six-disc CD changer; upgraded front disc brakes; a cold-weather package; power moonroof; and halogen foglamps. The 2006 Legacy Limited sedan comes with a four-speed automatic with the Sportshift feature

Interior of the 2006 Subaru Legacy

The bottom portions of the door panels hold fixed map pockets rather than the expanding pockets coming into vogue. Front and rear seats get two cup holders. Nets for magazines are attached to the front seatbacks. The center console isn't commodious, but it has an auxiliary power outlet for cell phones, leaving the lighter outlet in the base of the C-stack available for other accessories, such as a radar detector.

Controls are ergonomically located and generally easy to operate. The stereo controls are properly positioned above the climate controls. Our only complaint is with the stereo's tuning function: Instead of a tuning knob, it's a rocker switch located below the volume knob that requires scrolling through frequencies to locate a station. Where the tuning knob would normally be is a round, PDA-type rocker button dedicated to selecting the sound source.

Conclusion

The 2006 Subaru Legacy is refined, polished, powerful, agile. With the added dose of horsepower on the standard engine, and the additional boost on the turbocharged version, it's fun to drive, with a smooth, pleasant ride. It's equipped with state-of-the art active and passive safety features and boasts better-than-respectable fuel economy.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com