2020 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2020 Subaru Legacy was a car that prioritized pragmatic sensibility over flashy design. While it had a handsome appearance with sharp angles and details, it struggled to stand out compared to competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The front end of the Legacy felt smaller, almost compact, which sometimes made it hard to distinguish from the Subaru Impreza. Inside, the Legacy featured a massive 11.6-inch touchscreen, but many controls were buried within the digital interface, complicating simple tasks like adjusting the climate or radio settings. The Legacy offered six trims, with the Premium trim being particularly well-equipped, including features like 17-inch alloy wheels, a power moonroof, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, especially the 2.5 Turbo model, was a visual and sensory delight. The redesigned Mazda3 won the World Car Design of the Year for 2020, thanks to its dramatic and sophisticated bodywork. The sedan version, which was tested, offered a refined and aggressive look. The interior was lined with Nappa leather, and the white leather seats added a premium feel, although they were prone to staining from dark clothing. The Mazda3's cabin was driver-focused, with a high-contrast two-tone interior and metallic accents. Despite some use of hard plastics, the overall quality and design were impressive, making it feel like a legitimate entry-luxury car.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy came with two engine options. The base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims featured a 2.5-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). While the Legacy was quick off the line, it struggled to reach highway speeds without making significant noise. The more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder engine, available in the Limited XT and Touring XT trims, delivered 260 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This engine also used a CVT and provided a more engaging driving experience. The Legacy's fuel economy was commendable, with the base engine achieving 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo, on the other hand, offered a thrilling performance. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque with 87-octane fuel. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system. The Mazda3 Turbo's performance was transformative, delivering smooth, predictable, and consistent power. The car's Sport mode enhanced transmission shifts and improved cornering, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads. Despite its sporty nature, the Mazda3 Turbo managed to average 20.4 mpg during testing, though it fell short of the EPA estimate of 27 mpg combined.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy offered solid trunk space for a sedan, with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity. However, it couldn't compete with crossovers in terms of cargo space. The Legacy's backseat was surprisingly spacious, providing ample head- and legroom even for taller passengers. The front seats were supportive, and the cabin featured practical storage solutions, though the center stack tray was a bit cramped.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior was lined with Nappa leather and featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, giving it a luxury feel. However, it lacked some premium details, such as ventilation for the front seats and air conditioning vents for the rear passengers. In-cabin storage was adequate but not exceptional, and the trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of space. For those needing more utility, the Mazda3 hatchback provided significantly more cargo space.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy featured the Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen. While the screen was large and the icons were easy to read, the system's portrait orientation and the need to navigate multiple menus for simple tasks were frustrating. Apple CarPlay was scrunched into a third of the screen, and the system's complexity was a drawback, especially since it was present in all trims except the base.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 used the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which combined an 8.8-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. However, the lack of a touchscreen and poor voice-recognition technology were significant drawbacks. The system required using a control knob for many functions, which was cumbersome. Despite these issues, the Mazda3's 12-speaker Bose premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality, and the Active Driving Display (HUD) was a useful feature.

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

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the i-ActiveSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), designed to support rather than replace the driver. The system included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and an Adaptive Front Lighting System. The Premium Plus trim added a high-definition surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in crash tests, earning top five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).