The midsize sedan market has always been a hotly contested arena, with numerous automakers vying for supremacy. Among the most popular contenders are the Subaru Legacy and the Honda Accord, both of which have earned a loyal following due to their reliable performance, stylish designs, and overall value.
In this in-depth comparison, we will take a closer look at the similarities and differences between the Legacy and Accord to help you determine which vehicle best suits your needs and preferences.
Exterior Design
The Subaru Legacy boasts a sleek and modern exterior design that appeals to those who appreciate a subtle yet sophisticated style. The Legacy features a bold front grille, angular headlights, and a wide stance, creating an assertive presence on the road. Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel drive system is also standard on all Legacy models, providing enhanced handling and stability in various driving conditions.
The Honda Accord’s exterior design is characterized by its elegant and sharp lines, exuding a sense of refinement and class. The Accord features LED headlights and taillights, a bold front grille, and an overall profile that evokes a sense of motion. The Accord’s design is both attractive and aerodynamically efficient, making it an appealing choice for those who value style and performance.
Interior Design
The Legacy’s interior is designed with comfort, practicality, and premium materials in mind. The dashboard layout is intuitive, and the use of soft-touch materials adds a touch of luxury. Subaru’s STARLINK infotainment system offers seamless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring that drivers and passengers can easily access their favorite music, apps, and navigation tools.
Inside the Honda Accord, you’ll find a spacious and well-appointed cabin. The Accord’s interior design is centered around driver comfort and convenience, with an ergonomic layout and an emphasis on high-quality materials. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assist technologies is standard on all Accord models, providing drivers with added peace of mind on the road.
Seating
The Legacy offers comfortable and supportive seating for up to five passengers, with plenty of headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The seats are designed with high-quality materials, and available options include power-adjustable front seats, heated front and rear seats, and ventilated front seats.
The Accord also accommodates up to five passengers, offering ample space for occupants to stretch out and enjoy the ride. The seats are designed for long-lasting comfort and support, with available features such as power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear outboard seats.
Storage
The Legacy offers a spacious trunk with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, providing plenty of room for luggage, groceries, or other items. The rear seats also fold down in a 60/40 split, allowing for additional cargo space when needed. Various storage compartments throughout the cabin offer convenient places to store smaller items.
The Accord features a similarly roomy trunk, with 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats can also be folded down in a 60/40 split for added versatility. The Accord’s cabin offers numerous storage compartments and pockets for smaller items, ensuring that everything has a place.
Performance
The Legacy is powered by a standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. For those looking for more power, a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine is available, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system provides excellent traction and handling in various driving conditions.
The Accord comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Drivers seeking more power can opt for a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces an impressive 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The Accord is front-wheel drive, with a responsive and agile handling that makes it enjoyable to drive.
Fuel Efficiency
The base Legacy model, equipped with the 2.5-liter engine, offers an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine delivers a slightly lower fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
The Accord’s 1.5-liter turbocharged engine achieves an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. The more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is also relatively efficient, with EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
Safety
The Legacy comes standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of advanced safety features, which includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The Legacy has received high safety ratings from organizations like the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a top pick for safety-conscious buyers.
The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features is standard on all Accord models. This includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Accord has also received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, demonstrating Honda’s commitment to safety.
Trim Levels
The Legacy is available in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT. Each trim level offers a different combination of features and amenities, allowing buyers to choose the configuration that best suits their needs and preferences.
The Accord comes in five trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Each trim level builds upon the previous one, offering an increasing level of features and luxury. This range of options makes it easy for buyers to find the perfect Accord to fit their lifestyle and budget.
Pricing
The base model Legacy starts at an MSRP of around $23,000, making it an affordable option for buyers seeking a reliable and well-equipped midsize sedan. Pricing increases as you move up the trim levels, with the range-topping Touring XT model starting at around $36,000.
The entry-level Accord LX starts at an MSRP of approximately $25,000, offering a well-rounded package of features and performance. As with the Legacy, prices rise as you climb the trim levels, with the top-of-the-line Touring model starting at around $37,000.
Key Differences
Drivetrain:
One of the most significant differences between the Legacy and Accord is their drivetrain configurations. The Subaru Legacy comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), providing excellent traction and stability in various weather conditions and terrains. In contrast, the Honda Accord features a front-wheel-drive (FWD) system, which generally offers better fuel efficiency but may not provide the same level of traction in challenging conditions.
Engine Options:
The two sedans also differ in their engine options. The Subaru Legacy offers a standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine and an optional 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, while the Honda Accord comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Both vehicles provide sufficient power for everyday driving, but the Accord’s 2.0-liter engine offers a higher horsepower output.
Fuel Efficiency:
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Honda Accord has the edge over the Subaru Legacy. The Accord’s base 1.5-liter engine delivers an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, whereas the Legacy’s base 2.5-liter engine achieves 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The difference in fuel economy is partly due to the Accord’s FWD system compared to the Legacy’s AWD.
Safety Features:
Both vehicles come with a comprehensive suite of standard advanced safety features, but the specific technologies differ. The Subaru Legacy features the EyeSight system, which includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The Honda Accord comes with the Honda Sensing suite, offering collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.
Pricing:
The base Subaru Legacy starts at a lower price point than the Honda Accord, with a starting MSRP of around $23,000 compared to the Accord’s starting price of approximately $25,000. However, when comparing the top trims, the prices are quite similar, with the Legacy Touring XT starting at around $36,000 and the Accord Touring at around $37,000.
Final Thoughts:
After delving into the various aspects of the Subaru Legacy and Honda Accord, it’s clear that both vehicles have a lot to offer to potential buyers. While the Legacy stands out for its all-wheel-drive capabilities and advanced safety features, the Accord shines with its fuel efficiency and powerful engine options.
The decision ultimately boils down to your personal priorities and the driving experience you desire. Regardless of your choice, you can rest assured that you’ll be driving a well-rounded and highly-regarded midsize sedan that has proven its worth in the competitive automotive market.
Features Breakdown
Subaru Legacy:
- Exterior Design:
- Sleek and modern design
- Bold front grille and angular headlights
- Standard symmetrical all-wheel drive
- Interior Design:
- Comfortable and practical cabin
- Intuitive dashboard layout
- STARLINK infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Seating:
- Accommodates up to five passengers
- Ample headroom and legroom
- Optional power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats
- Storage:
- 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Various storage compartments throughout the cabin
- Performance:
- Standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 182 horsepower
- Optional 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine with 260 horsepower
- Symmetrical all-wheel drive for enhanced traction and handling
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway (2.5-liter engine)
- 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway (2.4-liter turbocharged engine)
- Safety:
- Standard EyeSight suite of advanced safety features
- High safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA
- Trim Levels:
- Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT
- Pricing:
- Starting MSRP of around $23,000 for the base model
- Range-topping Touring XT starts at around $36,000
Honda Accord:
- Exterior Design:
- Elegant and sharp lines
- LED headlights and taillights
- Bold front grille and aerodynamically efficient profile
- Interior Design:
- Spacious and well-appointed cabin
- Ergonomic layout with high-quality materials
- Standard Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features
- Seating:
- Accommodates up to five passengers
- Ample space for occupants
- Optional power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats
- Storage:
- 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Numerous storage compartments and pockets in the cabin
- Performance:
- Standard 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 192 horsepower
- Optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 252 horsepower
- Front-wheel drive for responsive and agile handling
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway (1.5-liter engine)
- 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway (2.0-liter turbocharged engine)
- Safety:
- Standard Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features
- High safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA
- Trim Levels:
- LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring
- Pricing:
- Starting MSRP of approximately $25,000 for the base model
- Top-of-the-line Touring starts at around $37,000
