2020 Subaru Legacy vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Subaru Legacy presented a pragmatic sensibility in its design, which made it difficult to be flashy. While it was a handsome car with sharp angles and details, it struggled to stand out compared to competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Legacy's front end appeared smaller, often leading to confusion with the compact Subaru Impreza. Despite Subaru's attempt to go mainstream with the Legacy, the design felt more like a sedan version of the Outback.

Inside, the Legacy featured a massive 11.6-inch touchscreen, but many features were buried within the digital interface, complicating simple controls like climate and radio. The base trim was well-equipped with remote keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, dual 7-inch touchscreens, and Subaru EyeSight driver assistance features. Higher trims added more luxurious features, such as leather-wrapped steering wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated seats. The range-topping Touring XT included a turbocharged engine, power-folding mirrors, and full Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, featured a rounded, smooth body reminiscent of earlier generations. Its streamlined design, while elegant, could have benefited from additional edges. The E-Class was available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet forms, fitting the conservative nature of its buyers. The sedan's hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille added a touch of Mercedes tradition. LED lighting and well-proportioned designs, whether on the Luxury model's higher suspension or the sportier versions, always hit a visual sweet spot.

The cabriolet's fluid form worked best with its contrasting soft top, revealing a sumptuous interior. The E-Class delighted with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by industrial elements like circular air vents and silver toggles. The ambient lighting offered 64 colors, creating a delightful atmosphere. Even the base E-Class felt luxurious, with leatherette and standard seats several cuts above other cars in its segment.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy offered a 2.5-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine in its base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), provided responsive performance, especially in city driving. However, it struggled to reach highway speeds without significant noise. The turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine in the Limited XT and Touring XT trims delivered 260 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, offering a more powerful option.

The Legacy's chassis impressed with precise cornering and refined ride quality, making it a great candidate for the turbo engine. The auto stop-start system, designed to conserve fuel, was jarring and required multiple steps to disable. Fuel economy for the base engine was 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the turbocharged engine achieved 24 city, 32 highway, and 27 combined.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 replaced the E300, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, offered improved response and reduced noise. In Comfort mode, the E-Class was relaxed, while Sport and Sport+ modes kept the engine in its power band. The E450's 3.0-liter V6 with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque provided effortless performance, complemented by light steering and a supple suspension.

AMG models, like the E53 and E63 S, offered even more power and performance. The E53's hybrid setup delivered 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, while the E63 S's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produced 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. AWD was standard across the lineup, except for the E350 sedan and E450 coupe/cabriolet, where it was optional. Fuel economy varied from 19 to 23 mpg city and 26 to 32 highway, depending on the powertrain and body style.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy offered solid trunk space for its class at 15.1 cubic feet, though it couldn't compete with crossovers like the Forester or Impreza hatchback. The backseat provided impressive head- and legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The front seats were supportive, with deep door pockets for storage. However, the center stack tray was small, making it difficult to plug in USB cables.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system on its large screens, which were not touch-sensitive. This setup required multiple steps for simple tasks, making it highly distracting. However, the E-Class excelled in functionality with seat and climate controls on the door panels, ample space, and great sightlines. The coupe had a usable rear seat, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for small children. The front passenger footwell net was a handy feature for securing water bottles.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy's 11.6-inch Starlink infotainment system required multiple steps for basic adjustments, making it cumbersome. While the icons were large and easy to read, the portrait orientation scrunched Apple CarPlay into a third of the screen. The system was found in all trims except the base, which had its own set of issues. Test-driving the tech was recommended to see if it suited individual preferences.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasted advanced tech features, including a semi-automated driving system, V2X communication, and customizable digital displays. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Burmester stereo, multi-contour seats, and front camera added to the luxury experience. Some features, like the Energizing Comfort Package, were more novelty than necessity, but overall, the E-Class was overengineered with useful tech.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The system used a head-up light display for alerts and included a helpful feature that alerted drivers when the car in front started moving. Other standard safety features included airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet models were expected to perform similarly. Innovations included Pre-Safe Sound, side bolster inflation during collisions, and crosswind countermeasures. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.