In '95, our daughter was given her mom's 240 wagon as a college grad gift promised earlier. We had decided that any future purchase would be based on our Sierra winters, so would be AWD - though *not* truck-based (SUV). In '95 this left a field of 1, here in Reno, a Subaru Legacy - oh, yes, an automatic was also required which my choice (Audi) didn't include at that time.
As others have suggested, the power at that time was short, so runs over Donner Summit (7,300') required use of 3rd gear to maintain a steady
- This also meant 4,000rpm, which necessitated new cam seals (warranty). Comfort OK; general fit & finish OK, though not to Volvo standards.
I subsequently got a '98 V70XC as soon as they became available, but the wife happily drove her Subaru until an '02 S60AWD moved into my side of the garage and she inherited the V70XC.
The Subaru met every weather-related expectation handily. Performance was all that could be expected from its 135-140hp, but a turbo (not then available) would have been welcome. Low maintenance costs - I do oil and other maintenance on "my" cars, but the Subaru went to the Dealer for its service requirements, as they were very reasonably priced. Overall, we felt good enough about the Subaru to pass it along to our son, who was in need of a "civilized" vehicle to use when his van wouldn't do.
Subaru was fine, but aren't Volvo-level. Basically, you get what you pay for - the Subaru was fine at $20K in '95, but not up to the '98 V70XC at about $37K or the '02 S60AWD at about the same.
bob noble Reno, NV, USA