Wagon Only

What's the difference between a Subaru Forester, Outback and Legacy wagon ?

I'm thinking of getting a 2006 Subaru Legacy station wagon, but the only one available at the local dealer is the Legacy manual wagon. Is the LEgacy more roomier than the other two ? I need space and fuel economy.

I don't know if it was the '08 or '09 that they reduced the model lineup, but Legacy became sedan-only, and Outback was wagon-only. Before that, you could get a Legacy wagon or an Outback sedan, as well as vice-versa. The Outback has more clearance than the Legacy, might make it a slightly better off-highway car, but otherwise they are the same vehicle. As others have noted, the Forester is an SUV built on the Impreza platform. Pre-'09, it was a decent enough vehicle, '09 and newer it has been significantly improved, better rear seat room, more cargo room, and slightly better MPG. As for which has more room, between a Legacy wagon and a Forester, you'd have to look at the manufacturer specs for exact square footage, but I'd bet they are really close. The Legacy (and Outback) will have a shorter (height) and longer (front to back) cargo area than the Forester, width should be almost (if not exactly) the same.

Someone else said the Tribeca was its own platform. That is incorrect, the Tribeca is built on the Legacy / Outback platform -- it is essentially to the Legacy what the Forester is to the Impreza. It has a lot more cargo capacity, but it isn't really great for people hauling, because they shoe-horned a third row of seats into it. Might work if they are all young kids in the second in third rows, but I would just as soon dismiss the Tribeca. But then, I don't have kids.

I'm waiting for the return of the BRAT