SUBARU has gone posh in no uncertain terms. Its latest Legacy estate has put the Japanese car maker in the premier league of luxury load luggers.
With wood and leather decking out the interior, the new Legacy is a quantum leap from its predecessor.
Now Subaru is a brand best known for one car alone - the mighty Impreza turbo. But the Legacy - Subaru's big saloon and estate - has always found favour, especially in rural areas.
That is because Subaru - like Land Rover - only makes cars that are permanent four wheel drives. However the previous Legacy, especially the estate, was more heavy duty than anything else, with practicality at the fore.
None of those characteristics have been lost on the new models but what Subaru has done is dig deep into the goodies bin to deliver some exceptional added value - and the most obvious changes are on the inside.
An instrument panel that is ultra-modern incorporates a full colour LCD screen and back-lit illuminated dials akin to those found on a Lexus. Satellite navigation is standard on this top range 3.0Rn, as is five speed automatic transmission.
With a three-litre, six-cylinder, boxer engine it has got plenty of performance and at £25,500 is keenly priced compared to the opposition.
A three-litre BMW or Mercedes estate decked out in similar fashion would set you back around £10,000 more - and neither of those has the benefit of four wheel drive.
Top speed from the Legacy is a claimed 147mph with a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 8.4 seconds. But it is fairly thirsty around town.
On the daily trundle to work expect to get around 22 miles to the gallon, although Subaru claims the three-litre estate is capable of averaging 29mpg overall.
Handling is what you would expect from a manufacturer that knows vehicles so well it can make world rally champion cars and the dynamics of the Legacy cannot be faulted.
Neither can the amount of equipment with cruise control, multichange CD player, electrically adjustable and heated front seats all standard.
So is climate control and it is a very potent system which probably is its greatest criticism. Swithced to automatic it can deliver a veritable gale force out of the vents which are angled in such a way that it is almost impossible to escape the draught.
A bit of redesign to the layout of the vents would not go amiss and with that put right the Legacy is a very user-friendly estate.
Cargo capacity is 16.2 cubic feet and the rear seats can fold flat in seconds to create a maximum of 58.2cu/ft. There is more storage space under the cargo area floor and all in all it is very sensibly proportioned to handle everything from the weekly shop to outsized pieces of luggage.
It may not have some of the clever loading features such as are available on the latest Honda Accord or Vauxhall Vectra estates but it can certainly outdrive them.
As compromises between performance and practicality go this is as close to the bull's eye as you can get.
FAST FACTS
Subaru Legacy Estate 3.0Rn
Price: £25,500
Mechanical: 245bhp, 3,000cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving all 4 wheels via 5-spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 147mph
0-62mph: 8 secs
Combined mpg: 29.4
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 234g/km
BiK rating: 33%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs antirust; 3yrs paint