(MISSISSAUGA, Ontario) - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) today confirmed that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the 2006 Legacy 'Best Pick' ratings for both frontal and side impact tests, and a "Good" rating for rear impact testing in the Overall Crashworthiness Evaluations for Midsize Moderately Priced Cars. This is the best cumulative rating (front, side and rear) for all vehicles tested in this category.

The IIHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses - deaths, injuries, and property damage - from crashes on the nation's highways. For more information on how the tests are conducted and complete industry test results, visit the IIHS website at www.iihs.org.

"Occupant safety is of primary importance to Subaru, and all of our vehicles are designed and built to provide the highest levels of occupant safety," said Katsuhiro Yokoyama, president, chairman and chief executive officer of SCI. "Receiving high marks is an excellent affirmation of our success in building safer cars, thanks to the stringent and independent procedures employed by the IIHS."

The foundation of Subaru's passive safety (occupant protection) is the Ring Frame Reinforced structure, with a front-end structure that disperses collision energy in three directions. This design forms a series of "rings" around the passenger compartment, providing excellent protection in a variety of collision types.

Hydroformed centre pillars enhance side impact protection, which is further bolstered by side impact door beams. The compact Subaru Boxer engine allows more crush room in front and side

impacts, and Subaru vehicles are designed to allow the entire powertrain to slide under the car along the floor tunnel in a severe collision, helping to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.