SOMETIMES IT’S GOOD TO trust the voices in your head. Not the ones that tell you it’s okay to covet thy neighbor’s Subaru WRX STi, but rather, the ones that whisper, “Trust your instincts.”
Our instincts screamed “yeah!” loud and clear at the first glimpse of the 2005 Subaru Legacy and Outback models. These cars not only pack a much bigger punch, Subaru also gave them more refined interiors.
The interiors are a step up from previous models but retain a look and feel Subaru owners have come to appreciate. If you are new to Subaru and you jump behind the wheel of, say, the Outback L.L. Bean Edition, you won’t be able to help but find it attractive. The interior reflects a harmonious balance of chrome, faux mahogany and leather. Both the dash panel and the console are pleasing to the eye without a hint of that dreaded parts-bin appearance.
Subaru has upped its interior look and feel.
There are two new boxer engines, both making 250 hp. One is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 lb-ft of torque, the other a normally aspirated 3.0-liter dohc six available solely in the flagship Outback 3.0 R. The 2.5 was created to satisfy Legacy and Outback drivers who lust for STi-type performance. For the record, it is not the same engine used in the WRX STi. Most major components, including the block and turbocharger, are different, although the turbo character is similar. The 3.0-liter, which is up from the outgoing six’s 212 hp, was designed to deliver smooth, strong, even power throughout the rev range for more of a big-engine feel.
If you appreciate the way a well-engineered turbo engine pulls, then you will enjoy the Legacy 2.5 GT and Outback 2.5 XT. They even come with functional hood scoops to help the turbo breathe. (“Way cool,” says the voice.) Subaru also managed to mount its boxer engine lower in the chassis for a better center of gravity and improved handling. Plus, the steering ratio on the Legacy GT lineup is now 15:1, for a quicker, more responsive feel. For normal driving this ratio makes for oh-so easy operation. When cruising at speeds like many owners might drive if they had just suffered a beating at the craps table, then odds are it may seem a tad twitchy.
Along with the fresh engines comes a re-engineered automatic transmission that reacts to changes in lateral g forces. In short, if you fling your new Legacy or Outback into a corner, the transmission will hold the right gear to optimize power. An automanual mode is offered.
Driving along the magnificent roads surrounding Lake Tahoe, we noticed Subarus of all varieties and vintages appearing as if on command.
A command from where, we hadn’t a clue, though as the voice in our head piped up one last time, we think we figured it out: “Just drive,” it said.
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