Subaru's just launched their new Legacy sedan and Outback wagon on the South African marketon. Let's start with the Legacy. Even though Subaru is marketing it as a sports sedan, it's not going to light a petrolhead's fire. Especially not in the entry level 110kW 2.0 litre guise.
We had higher hopes for the 123kW 2.5 litre version, but the combination of a CVT, four big men and the Highveld altitude dashed that too. And no Subaru, adding flappy paddles behind the steering wheel does not turn it into a sports sedan.
So what does your R299 000 for the 2.0 litre manual and R345 000 for the 2.5 litre CVT buy you? A large, safe, sensible, well specced and comfortable family sedan aimed directly at South Africa's current Car of the Year, the Honda Accord. And that's a tough nut to crack.
We preferred the Outback, which is built on the same platform as the Legacy, and makes a better case for itself thanks to its crossover capabilities from tar to dirt. It uses the same 2.5-litre engine, but this time you do have the choice between a six-speed manual gear box (R345 000)and the CVT (R358 000). The new car is also slightly cheaper than the model it is replacing.
Look out for a road test of the Outback in an upcoming issue of Topcar. The turbocharged Legacy GT Premium and six-cylinder 3.6-litre Outback Premium which only arrive next year should be more fun.
PRICE | R299 000-R345 000 (Legacy) | R345 000-R358 000 (Outback)
ENGINES | 2000cc DOHC four-cylinder boxer, 110kW @ 6000rpm, 196Nm @ 3000rpm | 2500cc SOHC four cylinder boxer, 123kW @ 5600rpm, 229Nm @ 4000rpm
TRANSMISSION | Six-speed manual or CVT, four-wheel drive
SUSPENSION | MacPherson front, double wishbone rear
PERFORMANCE | N/A 0-100kph, 8.4ℓ/100km, 198g/km (2.5i Legacy CVT) | 8.9ℓ/100km, 209g/km (2.5i Outback manual)
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pricing
i dont mind the style.its all opinion, but the pricing.299k for a 2 litre.
sorry guys, i will rather go get a 2nd hand one.
I think who ever is
I think who ever is responsible for this hieous car design should be rounded up and shot . This is nothing but an insult
The Design Really.....sucks!
A car goes the way of an old shirt. Nothing really wrong with it but the design, if we're honest. It's the designer that lost the touch or the style, besides where have you seen nice looking Subaru, that’s a rally car, you need to understand, view Ken's Gymkhana and you will sub-sequentially understand why. Mbulelo Ngxabane
The Design Really.....sucks!
No, really, bear with me all! I don't know how many of you have seen the backside of this... uhm... design crash (google it, if you must) but the other day I saw it for the first time and a chill went down my spine. It looks as if the tried to hide the fact that the rear lights has the same shape as the BMW 3 series Coupe by stretching it vertically... what a mess. Speaking of which, at the front there is too much action- looked from near, your eye can't settle and focus on one thing- it's bad.
Back to the rear again- it resembles a slight Honda Accordishness from the nineties... and its so vertical. it allmost looks as if its a block of clay that's been forgotton to be sculpted at the bottom... sportiness?? Nah,
Id rather go for the ACCORD.
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