Mention the phrase "midsize car" and images of generic machines with uninspired styling and unimpressive performance come to mind. In other words, cars that serve as satisfactory transportation yet are forgettable in most every other sense. What may seem unusual in this segment is standard all-wheel-drive, safety equipment including front side-impact and side-curtain airbags, the option of a turbocharged engine, and as a special treat, the choice of either an automatic or a manual transmission. A maximum towing capacity of 2,700-lbs. might appear out of place, too, as well as the availability of a station wagon variant. In fact, these are all features of the 2005 Subaru Legacy, and they're among the reasons it is our Autobytel Editors' Choice for Best New Midsize Car of 2005.

Adding to the list of advantages is Subaru's generous five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, though with the Japanese automaker's reputation for durability it's possible that the long warranty is redundant. And while the Legacy GT's turbocharged motor, with its abundance of power, turns the daily commute into a potential joy ride, there's also a more economical four-cylinder engine available which meets Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle ratings in California. Thanks to a plethora of powertrain choices, the Subaru Legacy can achieve up to 30-mpg on the highway, a respectable figure for an all-wheel-drive, midsize sedan. The Legacy also wins favor regarding pricing, with base models starting in the low $20,000 range and top-of-the-line models fetching figures in the low $30s.

The multi-talented 2005 Subaru Legacy is a stylish vehicle with a comfortable cockpit, useful safety features, a good warranty, and an ability to tailor one in sedan or wagon format to specific needs - and desires. It's clearly the Best New Midsize Car of 2005.

- Thom Blackett