Subaru has a legacy to be proud of

Last year can't have been a particularly bountiful one for your average Subaru dealer. Stuck with an ageing model line-up, no proper entry-level car and little sign of the firm's long-awaited diesel engine, they must have found the going pretty tough.

The smart ones would have stockpiled Daihatsus to get them through the lean times but now, at long last, things are looking up for the six star badge.

Not only does Subaru have a new Justy (even if it is little more than a rebadged Daihatsu Sirion) to pull in customers at the bottom of its range, it also has revamped versions of the Impreza and Forester.

But it is the arrival of the firm's new 2.0 litre diesel unit which will do most to revitalise the brand, I suspect.

Subaru could have gone down the Mitsubishi route and imported oil-burning engines from someone like VW. Instead, it spent years designing its own.

The result is the first turbodiesel unit in the world to feature horizontally-opposed piston units - the classic 'boxer' configuration - and it develops a healthy 150PS.

The engine is lighter, more compact and sits lower than most other diesels, boosting stability and handling.

So was it worth the wait? I tested a Legacy Sports Tourer estate powered by the new engine and found it smooth, powerful - and surprisingly economical too.

The engine is a little clattery on start-up and could be more refined through the gears - but once you get to cruising speed it is very quiet indeed.

For a diesel, it's happy to be revved, although not much happens below 1,500rpm. As soon as you hit 1,800rpm, however, you are into the power band - and there's plenty on tap.

The Legacy can hit 60mph in a little over eight seconds - but what's more impressive is the amount of mid-range grunt that's available, making overtaking manouevres more straight forward than they might be.

Economy is good too and a 'real world' figure of 45mpg should be achievable - especially if you make use of the clever Eco gauge, located under the rev counter.

While some gear-shift indicators have gimmicky feel to them, this one works very well. It doesn't nanny you into changing gear, it merely indicates whether you are driving in an economical manner or not. So if you are pushing the car the needle swings to the left.

Once you have settled down to a cruising speed - ideally with the revs between 2,000 and 2,500rpm - it moves back to the right to indicate greater economy. It's worth noting that selecting too high a gear reduces, rather than boosts fuel efficiency.

As with the majority of Subarus, the Legacy Sports Tourer comes with permanent four-wheel drive. It's not designed for hurtling off into the forest, though. Rather the benefits manifest themselves in terms of extra on-road stability and traction in bad weather and on bends.

The suspension set-up is quite soft and comfortable but contributes to a degree of roll through bends. But while the cabin may lean, the wheels always feels planted and secure.

The electric power steering is set up for comfort too. It's fine but can lighten up if bends are taken aggressively.

Unlike other recent Subaru designs, the Legacy Sports Tourer has nice, clean lines. A discreet rear spoiler and subtle air scoop in the bonnet hint at its performance capabilities.

The wheels look good, even in base trim, and the frameless doors add a premium feel.

Inside, the cabin is something of a mixed bag. The dashboard is very clearly laid out with all the essential stuff you need to know right to hand.

There's no fiddling your way through menu layers to find out how many miles to the gallon you're doing - the button is centrally located in the dash. The clutch pedal is sprung to stop your left foot riding on it - a sensible touch.

But the indicators could have come from a budget city car and there is an insubstantial feel to the audio/air con controls. They are also packed together so closely they are difficult to read.

The seats need more lateral support however and leg room in the back is not overly generous when compared with cars like the Mondeo estate.

There's plenty of room in the boot, however, with nearly 1,650 litres available.

In conclusion, while I'd like to see a tad more refinement and a more premium cabin, this Legacy is an excellent car and could prove ideal for the motorist looking for something a little different from the usual estate suspects.

Four-wheel drive estates tend to be premium vehicles from the likes of Audi or Volvo costing well in excess of £30,000.

Volkswagen's Passat TDI 4Motion estate is cheaper at £23,300 - but that's still a good £3,000 more than the Subaru.

Skoda's Octavia Scout is around the same price as the Legacy, however, and while it is better set up for off-road work it is not as quick or economical.

Diesel engines arrive in the Forester range in September, while the Impreza has to wait until January.

By Peter Carroll