ESTATE cars are all about comfort and space - and you get plenty of both in the formidable Subaru Legacy Tourer.

The current, fifth generation, version of the Japanese firm's flagship model is the biggest ever and boasts Tardis-like interior dimensions.

Being longer, wider and taller than it's predecessor the Legacy now offers impressive head and legroom all round - even a couple of rugby union lock forwards could comfortably stretch their legs in the rear.

An electronically adjustable driver's seat means that whoever is behind the wheel will be able to get comfortable while the leather upholstery on this top-of-the-range SE NavPlus means everyone else's space also has a premium feel too it.

In fact, if it wasn't for the lack of a telly you could almost be forgiven for forgetting you'd left your lounge, so roomy and comfortable is the well-appointed cabin.

And a long list of kit, much of it standard across the entire range, will help to make sure you don't miss too many home comforts while you're on the road.

All models feature cruise control; an electric sunroof; dual-zone, fully automatic air-conditioning; electric windows; heated front seats; an MP3 compatible audio system; automatic lights and wipers and a Bluetooth hands-free system.

But on the NavPlus, as the name suggests, you also get a DVD satnav system incorporating a high-resolution eight inch LED screen and AUX video input capabilities; keyless entry; push button start/stop and an on-board computer.

The pay-back for all that extra space in the cabin is a slightly smaller boot than some of it's rivals, but the Legacy, nevertheless, still swallowed up our eight-man tent and all the paraphernalia for an overnight camping trip without too much trouble.

While the interior incorporates most of the bells and whistles you could want it does so without being too ‘bling' about it.

The materials are solid, well put together and durable without being too flash - even with the aluminium pedals and carbon fibre effect touches added by the SE sports package.

The sporty touches are more evident on the outside where 18-inch alloys, a beefed-up front bumper and grille and the black headlamp housings emphasise the increased muscularity that it's greater size gives the latest Legacy, while the air-intake on top of the expansive bonnet has echoes of Subaru's boy racers' favourite - the Impreza WRX.

This is a pretty big vehicle, and you'll be grateful for the rear view camera when reversing into tight parking spaces, but that bulk does not mean that it's not sprightly.

The 148bhp, 2.0-litre diesel powerpack, in Subaru's trademark boxer formation, offers great durability, good acceleration (0-62 in less than ten seconds) and a top speed of 120mph.

I did sometimes find the ratios in the lower end of the coupled six-speed manual gearbox a little fussy - leading to a couple of embarrassing stalls because I hadn't changed down in time. Perhaps I should've given more credence to the gear-change indicator in the dash!

On the motorway though, this engine really comes into it's own, staying smooth and quiet as it effortlessly eats up the road while the all-wheel drive system, another Subaru staple, ensures that handling stays sharp and grip good whatever the road conditions.

Passenger safety is comprehensively taken care of with ABS; stability and traction control and front, side and curtain airbags standard across the range while the Legacy also boasts the top five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests.

In many ways the style and feel of the Legacy echo those of a more traditional 4x4 - but with the lower ride and easier accessibility of a family saloon.