2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to its traditional familial look, reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy, with a large, oddly-shaped grille that seemed out of place on the smaller sedan. The interior design was nice but marred by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was an optional extra, and the standard synthetic Sensatec material did not elevate the cabin's luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Legacy maintained a subdued yet functional design. The Legacy's interior featured a blend of high-quality materials and piano black plastic, appropriate for its price point. The tester, a Legacy Limited XT, had some fit-and-finish issues, but overall, the cabin was comfortable and spacious. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather available at an extra cost. The Legacy's interior was practical and met buyer expectations without flashy extras.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains. The base 330i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 330e plug-in hybrid combined a less-powerful version of that engine with electric assist for 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The M340i featured a turbo inline-six with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and were available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD). The M340i could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. Despite the impressive technical specs, the 330e's transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the driving experience lacked engagement.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options. The Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The Limited XT and Touring XT featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). AWD was standard, providing stability over rough terrain. The 2.5-liter engine achieved an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, while the turbo engine earned 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The Legacy's steering was well-balanced at low speeds but required lane-centering technology for highway driving.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan. Rear headroom was the best in the segment, and front headroom was above average. However, legroom in both rows was about average, and rear-seat passengers might feel cramped. The gasoline models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e's battery pack reduced it to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize space. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy reach and good outward visibility.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy improved comfort with a sound-insulation windshield and better seat positioning. The five-seater provided ample back seat room for adults, with additional legroom from the 2020 redesign. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were available. The Legacy had 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was less than the 3 Series but sufficient for groceries and luggage. The trunk had a wide opening, making it easy to load and unload items.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard iDrive infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster and navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with high-quality graphics and responsive controls. BMW offered multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy's base model had dual 7-inch infotainment and control displays. Higher trims featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen with on-screen buttons for various functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with USB ports and a 4.2-inch meter display. Upmarket trims added more USB ports, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment screen's appearance was unsophisticated, but menus were easy to navigate, and the button for automatic start/stop was conveniently placed.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 3 Series. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional packages offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy earned top scores in every category from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Legacy came standard with Subaru EyeSight technology, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. The EyeSight Assist Monitor provided a head-up display with system status on the windshield. Optional features included reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring. The seat-belt monitoring system was very sensitive, and the EyeSight system's alerts could be toned down through the infotainment system.