Subaru Legacy
Price: £18,022
For: Unique proposition; unusual engines; strong, smooth performance; refinement; four-wheel-drive
Against: A bit too odd? Thirsty petrol engines; relatively high running costs
There was one thing lacking from the Legacy range: a diesel. Subaru has now addressed this with its self-developed, unique flat-four oil-burner, which is one of the most petrol-like diesels we’ve ever driven, and one of the sweetest and smoothest. This alone would endear us to the Legacy, but the range has always been highly underrated.
The four-wheel-drive Legacy is a sharp, sporty drive – as well as having extra go-anywhere ability – and comes in saloon, Sports Tourer estate or higher-riding Outback bodystyles. 
Quality and design of the interior has been much-improved in recent years, too, matching up to the much-respected mechanical reliability and durability. The petrol engines – 2.0-litre, 2.5 and 3.0, all in Subaru’s familiar ‘boxer’ layout – are appealingly idiosyncratic but do tend to drink fuel.
