Used Subaru Legacy Estate 2003 - 2009 review

The Legacy Sports Tourer is a very useful estate with a large load bay and simple-to-fold rear seats that split 60/40. There's plenty of leg- and headroom, and three can sit abreast in the rear, although foot space for the centre passenger is tight.

The Legacy's low-slung driving position is sporty, but the manual seat adjustment isn't very easy to use and the steering column adjusts for height only.

It is an enjoyable car to drive, though. The four-wheel-drive system gives the car fantastic traction, while strong body control ensures good handling and fine composure. It does mean the ride is rather firm, but it never becomes uncomfortable. And, while the steering is accurate and responsive, it's frustratingly light at speed.

All three petrol engines perform well and have a distinctive, throaty sound, but the 2.0 becomes raucous when it's revved hard. Wind noise isn't intrusive, but road and engine noise are evident at speed.