The Legacy is Subaru's most popular car, available in both sedan and wagon form. Its long list of standard features, safety record, reliability, and overall excellent performance make it an attractive family car. The 2005 Subaru Legacy gets a major update and offers a more refined, upscale interior, to make you forget its station wagon ties. New in 2005 is a few inches added to the wheelbase and overall length, to improve both stability and handling and passenger space. Interior materials are more durable and classy, and side and side curtain airbags are now standard across the line. The 2005 Legacy also has an improved suspension and quick-ratio steering. The other big addition is a new turbo engine, which is basically a detuned WRX engine. The GT and GT Limited now hit 250-hp with the turbo 2.5-liter, H4. The 2.5i and 2.5i Limited hit 168-hp with the non-turbo H4. Both come standard with a 5-speed manual. A 4-speed auto is optional in the non-turbo, and a 5-speed auto comes with the turbo.
The GT Limited is the most fully packed, with heated power leather seats and a sunroof, in addition to all the standard power features, cruise control, keyless entry and automatic climate control in the other trims. While the wagons have split-fold rear seats, the sedans do not. They do offer an armrest pass-through to the trunk. The 2005 Legacy gets high marks for its quiet smooth ride and the AWD feature is one of its biggest selling points. Owners also feel all the features make it look more expensive than it is. Annoyances include rattling, prominent turbo lag, a confusing climate control center, an a seatbelt chime that never shuts up. The turbo models demand premium gas, which gets pricey.