SUBARU has revamped its entire model range for the new model year with a series of facelifts and specification enhancements. New for the 1997 model year is an entry level all-wheel-drive Legacy 2.0 which is cheaper than the comparable Ford Mondeo and larger 2.5-litre engines further up the Legacy range.

Elsewhere in the range, the Justy and Impreza get new-look interiors and exteriors, improved engines and twin airbags while ABS becomes standard across most of the Impreza and Legacy models. Additionally, Subaru is launching the Legacy Outback. Powered by a new 2.5-litre engine (also available in the rest of the Legacy range) the Outback has 1.6ins extra ground clearance and full time four wheel drive.

Like the Legacy, the Impreza gets revised styling inside and out, improved power and fuel economy from the 2.0 engine and a torquier version of the 2.0 turbo. As well as styling refinements, the Justy becomes the first car in its class to feature twin airbags.

Certain models are subject to a price rise which averages 1.9%, although others remain unaffected. The Justy now starts at £9,208 on the road, the Impreza, £13,419 and the Legacy £14,918.