I find Subaru's Outback and Legacy products to be quite interesting. There's a base model with a normally aspirated H-4, an H-6 model that's only available with an automatic transmission, and a turbocharged H-4 that's only available with a manual transmission. The turbo-4 produces the most power and costs the most, which is probably perplexing for Subaru shoppers not familiar with the WRX and STI models.
As an enthusiast, I don't care much for the Legacy or Outback 3.6R models. The six-cylinder produces adequate power but I don't want the automatic transmission. If I'm going to choose a two-pedal transmission, I'd go for the base engine and the CVT, which can deliver 31 mpg on the highway. If performance is a priority, I'd go with the 2.5GT model.
What really makes the Legacy stand out from its mid-size competitors is the standard all-wheel drive system. If you're in a snowbelt state, that's a boon. Buyers in the sunbelt states probably ignore the Legacy because they see no benefit in driving all four wheels. With the CVT, there's not much fuel economy penalty for having an AWD vehicle. Subaru's system is seamless under all driving conditions, so there's no reason to write it off just because you live in an area that rarely sees inclement weather.
