Long-term test: Subaru Legacy 2.0-litre – on sale now

I really like our long-term Legacy. It’s not over-luxurious, over-powered or over-powering. However, it is spacious, practical and enjoyable to drive.

It has carried a full complement of adults on numerous journeys without stress, and its large boot has swallowed every piece of luggage thrown into it. That’s once you open the drivers door to pull the boot release, of course, as annoyingly it seems impossible to open the boot from outside.

The all-wheel drive system has also proved a bonus. During a rainy weekend at Fakenham Races the Legacy coped fine as other cars became bogged down in the grassy car park.

Subaru’s brand is built around Boxer engines, all-wheel drive systems and driving dynamics of all its products. Even though it’s the entry-level Legacy, at £17,020 priced little more than a Citroën C5, our test car still lives up to the brand. It’s not Impreza STi fast but it is eager enough to make progress, and its handling is safe and enjoyable. Its styling draws a few admiring glances, and passengers have commented on the comfortable ride.

There has, however, been an intermittent transmission noise, which occurs mainly when accelerating out of junctions. Peterborough’s Subaru dealer Donalds is investigating.

Price: £17,020
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4cy Boxer; 162bhp @ 6,800rpm, 138lb ft @ 3,200rpm
Performance: 0-62mph 9.2sec; top speed 133mph
Test period: April-September
Start mileage: 150
Current mileage: 5,270
Efficiency: 32.5mpg (combined); 207g/km CO2
CAP RV 3yr/30k: £5,700 (34%)
CAP RV 3yr/60k: £4,800 (29%)
Likes: Good to drive, Boxer engine
Dislikes: Boot can only be opened by interior release