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

Having driven our long term Legacy several times over the six month test period, I can safely say that I have never grown attached to it. It’s not a car that I‘m going to miss.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s a perfectly capable, comfortable car, taking the regular 10 mile journeys to the office or full laden motorway trips in its stride. It’s reasonably good looking, handles reasonably well and is spacious enough for five adults. It just doesn’t excite.

The interior is bland and feels dated, it has that cheap, plasticky smell, too. The performance is underwhelming, foot down for an overtake and nothing really happens without shifting down.

Although, that said, the boxer engine does produce a nice aggressive note though the twin pipes.

The Legacy doesn’t excel on fuel consumption either, even the most conservative driving hasn’t seen it rise above 30mpg.

Looking back through the previous road tests of this Legacy, the words ‘spacious’, ‘comfortable’, ‘practical’ and ‘safe’ have come up on several occasions.

The major downsides of ownership have been few and, on the whole, everybody has had an acceptable time with the Subaru.

Overall a solid, useable, no frills, every day car that does everything adequately.

Price: £17,020
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4cyl 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 7,279
Efficiency 30mpg (combined); 207g/km CO2
CAP RV 3yr/30k £5,700 (34%)
CAP RV 3yr/60k £4,800 (29%)
Likes: Exhaust/engine note
Dislikes: Uninspiring