The Detroit News's view

At least one of us couldn’t help but think of that old marketing genius P.T. Barnum when we test drove the 1999 Subaru Legacy Limited Sport-Utility Sedan. And yes, you read that right – the savvy Japanese company is pitching this car as a competitor to SUVs.

They may have a hit on their hands with the all-wheel-drive sedan priced at $26,090. After all, the legendary P.T. sold lots of tickets “to the egress” once, even though it was nothing more than “the exit.”

He: Oh, I thought you said “egrets.” I always knew your opinion was for the birds. As for this neat new Subaru, strip away some of the silly stuff such as the hood scoop and the Outback-style nose, and you’ve still got a pretty comfortable and competent sport sedan. Forget that SUS nonsense. This Legacy is nicely equipped. All it really lacks is an optional six-cylinder engine, and hopefully, that should arrive in a year or two.

She: So I’m supposed to forget that SUS nonsense. But this is how they’re pitching the car. People are going to stop in showrooms to check this out. And what are they going to find? A vehicle with a major identity crisis. It wants to be a sports car, so it’s got a hood scoop and a spoiler. It wants to be a sport-ute, so it’s got two-tone paint and a little more ground clearance. It wants to be a family-oriented sedan, but it’s got junky cupholders, lousy air conditioning and uncomfortable seats. It reminds me of the most insecure girls I knew in high school, who’d pose as anything to get a guy. Make up your mind Subaru – what do you want to be?

He: So quit whining and tell me, did you like it or didn’t you?

She: I thought you were going to ask me if I was one of those girls.

He: OK, forget it. I kind of like the idea of being able to drive a good-looking, well-built sedan with all-wheel drive for less than $30,000.

She: I’m going to stop you right there and ask why I should spend $26,000 to get a vehicle that poses as a sport-ute, but doesn’t give me the command seating position or the personality of a sport-ute? The trunk doesn’t give you the cargo space of a sport-ute. Besides, you can buy a base Jeep Cherokee for around $16,000.

He: I always knew you were a closet trucker. In fact, that’s part of the attraction of the all-wheel-drive Legacy. You get the tractability of the Jeep, without the baggage. Let’s face it, some people just wouldn’t drive a sport-utility if you paid ’em. I think this is a lovely alternative, especially for folks and families who have to deal with lousy weather or unpaved roads.

She: I think it’s unethical to pawn this off on consumers as a sport-ute. That’s why I gave it one star. It’s a sub-par sport-ute. Besides, those 15-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with the gold accents are tacky.

He: Not as tacky as the gold wheels on the Impreza RS coupe. And you’re forgetting one important thing. Subaru doesn’t call this just a “sport-utility.” It’s a “sport-utility sedan.” An d it’s a pretty darn nice sedan, if you ask me. You’re not going to get a nice leather interior in a base Grand Cherokee. Nor are you going to get the ride quality that you do in the Subaru. No matter how you gussy up a Jeep, it still rides like a Jeep. So if you’re not going to use your sport-ute to play around in the woods, why not go for style and comfort?

She: Oh it’s got some nice features, all right. The Limited edition we drove had a standard two-way power moonroof, a stereo system that included a CD player and a weather-band radio, heated front seats and mirrors. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 165 horsepower was plenty powerful on the freeway. And for a sport-ute it gets incredible gas mileage – 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. See – I’m getting in the spirit.

He: Does that mean you’re raising your rating?

She: No, it means you’re not sleeping in the Legacy tonight.

1999 Subaru Legacy Limited

Sport-Utility Sedan

Type: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, five-passenger sedan

Price: Base, $25,595; as tested, $26,090 (including $495 destination charge)

Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder; 165-hp at 5,600 rpm; 162 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm

EPA fuel economy: 21 city/27 highway (estimated)

12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan: $1,297

Where built: Lafayette, Ind.