Honda Accord vs. Subaru Legacy
Some might think that Japanese cars are simply clones, regardless of what badge these vehicles are wearing – Honda, Toyota or Nissan are what comes to mind – but there is one Japanese carmaker, Subaru to be exact, which begs to differ, and has distanced itself from the otherwise mainstream choice by being traditionally unique, in the sense that they offer all-wheel drivetrain on their vehicles, as well as a boxer engine under the hood.
But is this vehicle any good? That question will be answered by comparing Subaru’s popular Legacy model to the perennial ‘Car of the Year’ award winner, the Honda Accord. This is only fitting since both belong to the same category, and one is ‘king of the hill’, while the other is challenger to the throne.
We pay particular attention to the entry level trims for both brands, starting with the Honda Accord LX, which has a 2.4L inline-4, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox, that produces 177 horsepower at 6,500rpm. In terms of curb weight, the Accord LX is rather slightly trim at 3230 lbs., giving its thrifty engine a good fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon. The Accord’s weight is supported by 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 all-season tires.
The Accord is offered in three different trim levels, namely, the base LX, the upgraded EX, and the top of the line EX-L which, offers premium features such as leather upholstery and an optional navigation system, but the entry level LX is good enough on its own, starting at $21,765.
We move on to the Legacy, which is Subaru’s longest-running nameplate in the United States alone. After five generations, its image has been totally redesigned with entirely new styling, enlarged dimensions, plus its wagon trim was discontinued. Therefore, the Subaru Legacy is now just presented as a midsize family sedan that is available in 8 trim levels, which are as follows: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5GT Premium, 2.5GT Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium, and the top of the line – 3.6R Limited.
Do take note, that the numbers corresponding with each Subaru Legacy trim level, are an identifier of the powerplant implanted under the hood, thus making it easy for buyers to choose which engine suits their needs. However, the base Legacy 2.5i model might already be sufficient for most, since it is equipped with a capable 2.5-liter, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (a.k.a. Boxer), which produces 170-horsepower at 5600rpm. It achieves a fuel efficiency rating of 22mpg, despite tipping the scales at 3270lbs. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive gearbox is standard, although a variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional equipment, albeit for an added fee.
The Legacy 2.5i also comes well-equipped with air-conditioning, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, an electronic parking brake, and a CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. Standard safety features include ABS with brake assist on ventilated disc brakes, front and side airbags, and a 4-wheel drive system with meaty 225/60 sized tires, wrapped in 16-inch rims.
That set-up, together with stability control, gives the car a better grip on wet or icy road conditions, which makes it safer for driving. For a starting price of $19,995 with change, this vehicle is definitely worth every penny, and gets the nod over the Honda Accord.