IT'S sleeker to look at, crisper to drive and cleaner to run.
And the new look Subaru Legacy is spoiling for a sales fight with leading prestige European marques.
Subaru has every reason to feel confident it can coax some new customers from the likes of BMW, too.
For make no mistake, the 2006 Legacy range of saloons, sports tourers and crossover Outback models appears to have much to offer the discerning driver.
Originally launched for the 2004 model year, the latest Legacy boasts an outstanding new two litre 'boxer' engine which also replaces the previous 2.5 litre.
This new entry level Legacy saloon and Sports Tourer - badged 2.0R - is anything but basic and has high equipment levels.
You get climate control, cruise control, front, side and curtain airbags, a leather steering wheel, alloy wheels and, of course, Subaru's acclaimed symmetrical all-wheel drive system.
The new 165 PS 2.0 litre horizontally-opposed engine is one of the most powerful in its class.
Despite a new close-ratio manual gearbox aimed at exploiting the extra power for livelier acceleration, fuel economy on the combined cycle hit a not-bad 32.5mpg in my 2.0 RE test car.
Subaru says the Legacy's engine is the most powerful in its class, apart from the BMW 3 series, which it is quick to point out is "considerably more expensive," while emissions match the less dynamically capable two-wheel drive opposition.
Compared to its predecessor, power leaps from 138 PS at 5,600rpm to 165 PS at 6,800 rpm, while torque stays the same.
The result is an especially free-revving unit producing a constantly growing power surge at high revs - useful for overtaking where the engine feels it will "never run out of breath."
At the other end of the rev scale, strong low-speed pulling power linked to an electronically-controlled throttle creates a sprightly take-off from standstill.
This muscular torque reduces the need to constantly change gear to maintain brisk progress.
I very much like the confident new look and new styling. All models have a strong presence thanks to a deep grille and projector headlamps with circular dips further emphasising the low centre-of-gravity of the "boxer" engine.
Body width is increased by 35mm with a greater curvature to the shoulder area between the door handles and side glass.
This, together with wider track which "flesh out" the wheelarches, creates a stable, squat, muscular stance.
Equally, the front wings have more curvature to their leading edge, while strong bonnet crease lines swoop down to the front bumper.
The side view is also dynamic, being more curved from the A-posts back and the 3-D rear tail-lamp treatment is cleaner and fuss-free by avoiding quickly outmoded gimmicks.Other distinctive Subaru design features include frameless doors.
Inside, there are soft-touch surfaces with a sporty, quality feel backed by damped stalks and buttons. It creates a functional, driver-focused atmosphere with many flush surfaces.
FAST FACTS
Subaru Legacy 2.0RE Auto
Price: £19,995
Mechanical: 165bhp, 1,994cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving all four wheels via 4spd auto gearbox
Max speed: 125mph
0-62mph: 11.2 secs
Combined mpg: 32.5
Insurance group: 13
CO2 emissions: 202g/km
BiK rating: 27%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust