Subaru Legacy vs. Honda Accord

Subaru Legacy vs. Honda Accord: Performance

Both the Legacy and the Accord feature a 4-cylinder engine that delivers an impressive performance. In terms of fuel economy, each outshines the other in either the city or highway category.

The Accord will get you an EPA-estimated 30 city/38 highway MPG with its 1.5L engine. The Accord's 2.0L engine numbers are lower at an EPA-estimated 22 city/32 highway MPG. The Legacy, on the other hand, will get you an EPA-estimated 35 city/27 highway MPG.¹ If you plan to be a more frequent city driver, the Legacy might be your best choice.

What's also great about the Subaru Legacy's performance is that it comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. This system will be able to provide valuable traction across a variety of surfaces so that your vehicle responds in a timely and efficient manner. The Accord, unfortunately, offers no such system. 

Subaru Legacy vs. Honda Accord: Safety

Both the Legacy and the Accord come with similar standard safety features, like a rearview camera and tire pressure monitoring system. They also come with their own safety systems in order to protect drivers.

The Honda Accord has standard Honda Sensing^®, which comes with Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Lane Keeping Assist System.

Similarly, the Subaru Legacy offers standard safety through its EyeSight^® Driver Assist Technology. With it, you'll get Pre-Collision Braking, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, and Pre-Collision Throttle Management.

One offering where the Subaru shines, however, is in the Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. This feature boasts numerous functions that are all designed to protect you, especially on the highway where cars are moving in many directions.

This feature is available on the first two trims above the base model and becomes standard on the three highest trim levels for a total of five offerings. While the Accord offers a similar blind spot monitor feature, it's only on three of the seven trims. 

Subaru Legacy vs. Honda Accord: Technology

The technology on both vehicles is pretty comparable as well. Each one has its own set of standard features and upgrades you may prefer.

For listening purposes, both cars have standard Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™. However, the Subaru Legacy offers a few more audio options, such as standard SiriusXM^® and HD Radio^®. While the Honda Accord offers these features standard on some higher trims, they're not available on the two lowest ones.

Looking at the touchscreen where you'll access these apps, it may seem like the Accord wins with its standard 8-inch screen compared to the Legacy's 7-inch one. However, the Legacy offers the opportunity to upgrade to an 11.6-inch display when you choose a trim level above the base one. The Accord, on the other hand, doesn't offer any other touchscreen options beyond the 8-inch one.

The Legacy also offers a more comprehensive available navigation system with access to other features, such as SiriusXM^® Traffic and SiriusXM^® Travel Link^®.  While Honda offers a similar Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ that comes with Honda HD Digital Traffic, this feature is only available on one trim level. The Legacy, on the other hand, offers its navigation system as an available feature on three trim levels and standard on two.

¹ EPA fuel economy estimates. Actual mileage will vary with driving conditions and your vehicle's condition.