2025 Subaru Legacy vs the Competition

The Accord is one of two models credited with snatching the family sedan category from domestic brands and establishing the mid-size category as the go-to family sedan size. All Accords have front-wheel drive. The lowest two trim levels use 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-fours paired with CVTs. The top five trim levels are powered by hybrid systems featuring 2.0-liter engines and two motors. The Accord’s hybrid system operates as a series system, meaning that the engine primarily generates electricity for the electric motors to propel the vehicle until reaching steady highway speeds. At that point, the engine powers the front wheels directly, which is the only time the engine directly powers the wheels. This system eliminates the need for a transmission. 

• While the Legacy offers AWD as standard, the Accord does not offer it at all. 

• The entry MSRP for the Legacy (SE) is $25,210, almost $3,100 less than the least expensive Accord, which is $28,295. 

• Both models offer generous power in their base engines, with about the same horsepower (182 hp vs. 192), but the Accord has an edge in torque (176 lb-ft vs. 192). 

• If you desire power, the Legacy Touring XT’s 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque outpowers the Accord Hybrid model’s 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. 

• With an 18.5-gallon fuel tank compared to 14.8 gallons in the Accord, the Legacy has an estimated operating range of 555 miles compared to 474 miles for the Accord. 

• Both of these models have large cabins for their category. The Legacy has 105.5 cubic feet of passenger room compared to 105.7 cubic feet for the Accord. 

• The Legacy has about a foot-and-a-half tighter turning radius for better parking lot maneuverability. (36.8 feet vs. 38.4). 

• The Legacy has about an inch more rear shoulder room, which is useful when seating three in the rear seat. Most of the other interior figures are within an inch of each other. 

• The Legacy has front seat cushion airbags to prevent front passengers from colliding with each other, while the Accord does not. 

• Sirius XM radio is a Legacy feature unavailable on the Accord. 

• Both the Legacy and Accord have 7.0-inch center touch screens on their base models. The Legacy’s screen increases to 11.6 inches in the next trim level, while the Accord’s 12.3-inch screen is only available on the hybrid model, which starts at $33,655. 

• The Legacy features wireless smartphone compatibility one step from the base model, which is only available on the Accord Hybrid.  

• The base Legacy features the flexibility of 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks. The base Accord only has a single-piece folding rear seatback. 

The Camry has long been the sales leader in the mid-size sedan category. However, 2025 marks a significant change for the Camry, as the entire model line now features a hybrid drivetrain. The powertrain uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine paired with the Toyota Synergy Hybrid System and a continuously variable transmission. While the Camry is front-wheel drive in standard form, it is the only model in the category that offers AWD on all trim levels.  

• The entry price of the lowest-priced Camry with AWD is $30,225, more than $5,000 more than the Legacy’s entry price of $25,210. 

• While neither model is intended for off-roading, the Legacy’s half-inch more ground clearance (5.9 inches vs. 5.4) is useful for high un-plowed snow. 

• The Legacy has a significantly larger cabin than the Camry (105.5 cubic feet vs. 99.9). 

• At 36.8 feet, the Legacy has a tighter turning circle than the Camry’s 37.4 feet. 

• The Legacy has an inch and a half more legroom for rear passengers than the Camry (39.5 inches vs. 38.0). 

• When seating three in the rear, passengers will enjoy over an inch and a half more shoulder room in the Legacy than the Camry (57.4 inches vs. 55.7). 

• The Legacy also offers slightly more front and rear hip room. 

• At the base level, the Legacy is equipped with 17-inch wheels compared to 16-inch wheels on the Camry. 

• The Legacy has front-seat cushion airbags to prevent front passengers from colliding with each other, while the Camry does not. 

Although the long-running Maxima model is gone, Nissan remains committed to the sedan body style with a product line that includes three sedans, topped by the Altima. The Altima replaced the Stanza name in the 1993 model year and is now in its sixth design generation, launched in 2019. Like the Legacy, all Altima models are powered by 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-fours paired with continuously variable transmissions. The base SL model is FWD only, but AWD is optional on the SV and SR trim levels.  

• The Legacy has a lower entry price of $25,210 versus $27,190 for the K5. 

• The entry MSRP of the K5 with AWD is $29,790, more than $4,500 more than the Legacy’s entry price of $25,210. 

• The Legacy gets better city, highway, and combined fuel mileage than the K5 AWD model (27/35/30 mpg vs. 25/34/28). 

• The Legacy’s cabin is notably larger than the Altima’s (105.5 cubic feet vs. 100.6). Trunk space is very similar for both models (15.1 cubic feet vs. 15.4). 

• Rear passengers will enjoy a significant 4.3 inches more legroom in the Legacy than in the Altima (39.5 inches vs. 35.2). 

• The Legacy provides a little more front and rear shoulder, hip, and headroom than the Altima. 

• The Legacy features front-seat cushion airbags to prevent front passengers from colliding, while the K5 lacks this safety feature. 

• While the Altima’s 8.0-inch screen is larger than the 7.0-inch screen in the base Legacy, only one step up gets you the 11.6-inch screen in the Legacy, while the Altima only moves up to its 12.3-inch screen on its top trim level. 

• Similarly, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all Legacy models above base, you must upgrade to the top-level Altima SV for this feature. 
• The Legacy comes standard with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, which are not standard on the base Altima. 

Formerly known as the Optima, Kia’s mid-size sedan was renamed K5 with its fifth and latest design generation, which debuted in 2021. The primary powertrain comprises a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it primarily features FWD, the K5 offers AWD as an option on the GT-Line trim. Like the Legacy, the K5 has a high-performance model with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 286 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. 

• All Legacy trim levels come with AWD as standard. In contrast, the K5 offers it only on the GT-Line trim. 

• The Legacy offers better city, highway, and combined fuel mileage than the K5 AWD model (27/35/30 mpg vs. 24/33/27). 

• Both models feature spacious cabins for their segment, offering almost identical passenger volume measurements (105.4 cubic feet vs. 105.3). The trunk space is also comparable (15.1 cubic feet vs. 15.6). 

• Rear passengers will enjoy a significant 4.3 inches more legroom in the Legacy than the K5 (39.5 inches vs. 35.2). 

• The Legacy provides more shoulder room when seating three in the rear (57.4 inches vs. 56.1). 

• The Legacy has front-seat cushion airbags to prevent front passengers from colliding with each other, while the K5 does not. 

• The convenience of adaptive cruise control is standard on all Legacy models but requires an upgrade on the K5. 

• The Legacy has better resale value. According to Intellichoice, it is expected to retain 49.53% to 51.53% of its original price after five years, compared to 40.99% to 42.41% for the K5.