NORMALLY when I get into a Subaru there's a tingle of tension.
The company's reputation goes before it as a producer of cars with a touch of insanity, that are going to be - at a minimum - exciting to drive.
Subaru's rally expertise means that from the Impreza WRX to the Forester SUV, the company usually finds it impossible to produce a car that conforms to the norms of polite motoring society.
However the Legacy two-litre Sport estate is Subaru's sheep in wolf's clothing. It's subtlety in the home of the sledgehammer.
I couldn't believe this car was a Subaru.
First the styling - Subaru's generally look like nothing else on the road. They are brasher than a rugby team on a pub crawl. But the Legacy is neatly styled and - shock horror - understated. Where's the huge spoiler? Where are the enormous wheel arches?
It's like meeting sensible Sally in a family of party animals.
Subaru has chosen to attach the legend Sport to this Legacy - strange, as it's the most unsporty Subaru I've ever driven.
I could hardly hear the engine. It purred nicely enough, but there was no roar when the pedal hit the metal. The figures may say 0-60mph in a shade over 10 seconds and a top speed of 117mph, but on the motorway, I found the car's natural speed was about 68mph.
I realised this the second time I was passed by an old lady in a Ford Fiesta that had seen better days. I sped up easily enough, but five minutes later I found myself rambling along at 68 again and she flew by once more. In the end I just gave up and went the speed the car dictated.
Don't get me wrong, the Legacy CAN do in excess of 100mph without turning a hair, and its all-wheel-drive transmission gives it impressive grip in all conditions plus excellent handling.
The car also has a boot you could fit Real Madrid in.
The cabin is conservatively styled with well laid out controls and space for five adults to sit in comfort. Thieves are protected against with an immobiliser, although there are no deadlocks.
On the safety side anti-lock brakes are fitted as well as front and side airbags.
But I couldn't help the thought that I was being cheated out of what I'd come to expect from Subaru - the fun factor.
I was looking forward to a white knuckle ride and instead got a car that pulls caravans with ease. And, after much reflection, I suppose Subaru has got it right. The nature of an estate should avoid high performance and rally quirks because of the role it is asked to perform.
For example, take the dog to the park for a walk in an Impreza and you'll soon be visiting an animal shrink to deal with the trauma induced by pulling g-forces in corners.
The Legacy doesn't make this mistake. Not only will the dog's mental health remain intact, but the eggs in your shopping bag will resist the need to scramble on the way home from the supermarket.
In short the car does exactly what it says on the tin - it's a stylish and affordable estate. In football parlance any manager would be glad to have it in his team.
But for Subaru it's like Glenn Hoddle in his playing heyday strutting his cultured stuff with Vinnie Jones and Wimbledon's Crazy Gang.
FAST FACTS
Subaru Legacy 2.0 Sport AWD Estate
Price: £17,500
Mechanical: 125bhp, 1,994cc, 4cyl petrol driving all four wheels via 5-spd manual transmission
Max speed: 117mph
0-60mph: 10.7secs
Combined mpg: 31.4
Insurance group: 14
CO2 emissions: 217g/km
BiK rating: 27%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust