Just like a man in lycra with mismatched hairplugs there are some things in this world that are just wrong. Another example is buying a turbocharged sports sedan with an automatic transmission. Can you say poseur? You might as well be driving that automatic turbocharged sports sedan in a full body lycra bodysuit for all the grief your friends will give you for being such a wimp.
Such is the reason that Subaru is only offering its Subaru Legacy GT with the turbocharged 4 cylinder (same as the one in the WRX) as a manual transmission model. No need to apply if you have a third pedal-phobia. Kudos to Subaru for having the guts to market its most sporting Legacy to the sorts of drivers who love the full control a manual transmission allows them.
Although the Audi A4 2.0T is predominantly bought with an automatic (Quattro models) or CVT (front drive models), the most sporting A4 will always be the one with the manual. While the 2.0 liter, direct injected and turbocharged 4 cylinder has plenty of torque to handle the automatics it is far more fun to drive with a manual. But do you need to pay the extra for the Audi name to really enjoy yourself? Or has Subaru finally built an Audi killer? Let’s see.
Subaru 2.5 GT Premium ($27,995)
Equipped with a six speed manual transmission (a bit notchy but a pleasure to use), this 256 horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder lacks the immediacy of the Audi engine due to its lack of direct injection. Fuel economy ratings of 22 city/25 highway offset somewhat the higher than average need for maintenance for the turbo Subaru motors. Whereas the interior is a true tour de force for a Subaru it cannot compete with the Audi for build quality.
As Audi is pretty much the king of interior style and tactility it is a bit of an unfair comparison to hold the Subaru to the same standard. A fully loaded GT Limited with leather upholstery and most all of the toys stickers in at $29,995 making this a real value competitor for the A4 which always starts above the magic $30,000 mark. A Limited model also comes with a 440 watt Harmon Kardon audio system so if audio enjoyment can offset your disappointment in a lack of soft touch plastics then this is your ride.
Audi A4 2.0T Quattro (Starting at $32,825)
In order to get a manual transmission you have to order your A4 with full time Quattro all wheel-drive. Why you would buy an A4 without it is beyond understanding as it allows the A4 all weather handling and traction. However, if you do want to spec your A4 to the levels of a Legacy you can wind up spending $10,000 more if you get navigation, sport suspension, Bluetooth and adaptive dampers. A happy medium is a mid level A4 with navigation that should sticker at about $37,000. That equates equally to a Legacy GT fully loaded with navigation which stickers for about $33,000. An even match? Not so fast.
Who wins?
Unfortunately for the Subaru the engine and transmission in the Audi is simply in a class by itself. The Legacy makes the most sense in midline Premium trim (no, that doesn’t make sense that the mid-level version is called Premium) whereas the Audi is the superior choice if you can afford it. Advantage: Audi.
