If not the flagship of the Subaru line, the Legacy was certainly the standard bearer for the Japanese automaker. It was the car that Subaru intended to use to gain a popular U.S. foothold in the upscale, compact sedan market that every Japanese manufacturer and his onii-san found so irresistible those days.
But Subaru knew that if it was going to go after the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Mazda 626, then sooner or later it had to put down the banner and pick up a sword.
Accordingly, the 1990 Subaru Legacy came dressed and ready for battle. It was longer, wider and taller than any other contemporary Subaru model, but in FWD form, the 4-door sedan trimmed out to weigh only 2620 lb., less than the Accord. Adding the full-time 4WD system upped the mass by about 200 lb., but even the 4wd wagon version was lighter than either the Mazda or the Toyota. The Legacy was bred on the same soil on which it did battle; and was built in the U.S. at the Subaru/Isuzu joint tenant plant in Lafayette, Illinois.
What Junkies are Saying