2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord set a new standard for stylish family sedans. Recognizing that some may not favor its front styling or rounded roofline, the Accord was undeniably one of the sleekest iterations in Honda's history. Despite its position as a mainstream family sedan, the Accord presented an appearance that bordered on upscale. Particularly striking were the 19-inch wheels available with the Sport and Touring trims which gave the car a pronounced visual presence. On the other hand, the 17-inch tires, standard on other trims, offered a practical if less visually impactful option due to their cost-effectiveness in the long run.

Available in various trims (LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring), the 2020 Accord's price ranged from $24,270 to $36,400 MSRP. The Accord Hybrid, available from the LX trim upward, started at a similar base price but could escalate based on the features chosen. The specific Touring model used for testing, dressed in Radiant Red paint, cost $37,355 including destination charges. Its Ivory interior, contrasted sharply with a black dashboard and carpets, exuded a luxurious feel. Soft-touch materials, high-quality leather, and convincing matte-finish fake wood made the Accord’s interior top-notch.

On the other hand, the 2021 Subaru Legacy, despite often being overshadowed in the midsize-sedan market, brought a design and equipment package that firmly aligned with Subaru’s historical strengths. Available in six trims (Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT), the Legacy derived much of its styling and mechanics from the Subaru Outback. The vehicles shared similar fascia, headlight design, and dashboard setups from the B-pillar forward.

Despite not being as visually striking as its competition, the Legacy made strides with subtle enhancements like high-gloss stainless steel side-window moldings. Its overall design, though sleeker than previous generations, didn't stand out as much as the Mazda6. Wheel choices ranged from standard 17-inch steel to optional 18-inch alloys, exclusive wheel designs for the Sport variant, and all-season tires across the board. Roof mounting points allowed Subaru enthusiasts to install genuine accessories like cargo crossbars, enhancing utility without sacrificing design.

The Legacy’s interior presented a subdued yet high-quality aesthetic. Materials like piano black plastic were both stylish and fitting for the car's price point. Leather upholstery was available at an added cost, and the primary fit-and-finish issues in the Limited XT model revolved around slight imperfections in leather fitment.

When it came to performance, the 2020 Honda Accord offered multiple drivetrain options. The standard was a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, was adequate for most daily tasks. For fuel economy enthusiasts, the Accord also had a 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain, delivering an impressive 42.6 mpg in real-world driving.

Drivers seeking more power gravitated towards the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which boasted 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. With Economy and Sport driving modes and a set of paddle shifters, the 2.0T model could achieve 27.4 mpg in a combined driving loop, slightly higher than the EPA’s estimate. A key highlight was the adaptive dampers in the Touring variant, providing both sporty handling and a compliant ride over various terrains.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Legacy offered a simpler engine lineup, emphasizing the practicality of all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provided 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, ensuring competent city driving and decent fuel efficiency with 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. For those needing more power, the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine available in the Limited XT and Touring XT trims achieved 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Although it lagged slightly due to turbo lag, it offered a significant power boost for climbing hills or highway merging, with fuel economy figures of 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The Legacy’s AWD setup excelled in maintaining traction over rough terrain, adding to the comfort and security that Subaru is known for. Nevertheless, while the steering was balanced and responsive at lower speeds, it required driver assistance technologies to maintain lane discipline at higher speeds, indicating some mechanical nuances that might need attention.

Inside, the 2020 Honda Accord nearly felt like a full-size sedan, particularly when compared to rivals like the Toyota Camry. The Accord boasted more rear-seat legroom and greater cargo capacity, with an impressive 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space. This spacious trunk was ideal for storing large suitcases upright, catering to long family trips. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was particularly comfortable, with ample thigh support, heating, and ventilation. However, the passenger seat's lack of height adjustment stood out as a notable comfort drawback.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Legacy brought much-needed comfort enhancements. A sound-insulating windshield helped reduce wind and engine noise, and seat ergonomics improved with more natural positioning. Standard trims featured manually adjustable front seats, while higher trims offered power-adjustable options, including an eight-way power passenger seat in premium models. The Legacy’s rear seat provided generous legroom, matching the spacious feel typically found in full-size cars. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel added to the luxurious feel.

However, the Legacy's expanded passenger space came at the cost of trunk capacity, which stood at 15.1 cubic feet. Though adequate for daily use, it fell short compared to the Accord’s cargo room. The trunk’s wide opening nonetheless made it easy to load and unload various items.

Honda’s 2020 Accord featured an excellent 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was intuitively laid out. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while higher trims added a ten-speaker premium sound system, HondaLink subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation system, and wireless device charging. Exclusive to the Touring trim was a head-up display that remained visible even with polarized sunglasses. However, the system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring specific command prompts for accurate responses.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy mirrored its Outback sibling with dual 7-inch infotainment screens in the base model and an 11.6-inch touchscreen in Premium and higher trims. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-volt power outlet, while higher trims added more USB ports, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system. Despite useful features, the Legacy's infotainment interface lacked sophistication, with a multicolored, cluttered background that didn't match the car’s overall aesthetic.

Safety was paramount for both models. The 2020 Honda Accord earnedTop Safety Pick honors from the IIHS and achieved five stars from the NHTSA. Standard Honda Sensing included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were reserved for the Sport 2.0T and higher trims, with some adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping aids needing refinement.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy excelled in safety, achieving top scores across all IIHS categories and a five-star NHTSA rating. Standard EyeSight technology encompassed adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane centering. Optional features added blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking. EyeSight’s HUD displayed system statuses on the windshield, though its alerts could be disruptive and required user adjustments to reduce distractions.