2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2021 Subaru Legacy

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, old-school profile that was easy to recognize. The car's appearance, from the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, was something owners could be proud of, with bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, and adaptive HID lamps on higher trims. The grille options, either black or chrome, added to its tough, no-nonsense look. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys to 20-inch Black Noise wheels, depending on the trim and package.

Inside, the Chrysler 300 offered a luxurious feel with cloth upholstery on the base model and Nappa leather on higher trims. The 300S featured perforated inserts and accent stitching, with heated front seats standard on the top trims and optional heated rear seats. The interior quality was comparable to cars with much higher price tags, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy, available in six trim levels, carried over much of the body and mechanics from the Subaru Outback wagon. The Legacy featured standard low-beam and high-beam steering-responsive LED headlights, high-beam assist, and high-gloss stainless steel side-window and shoulder-line moldings. Its design was more subdued compared to competitors like the Mazda6, but it stayed true to Subaru's branding and buyer preferences for safety and assurance. Wheel options included 17-inch steel wheels, 17-inch alloy, and 18-inch black or machine-finished wheels, with various exterior trim elements depending on the grade.

The Legacy's interior was a blend of high-quality materials and piano black plastic, with cloth upholstery standard and leather available at extra cost. The seats were comfortable, with a more natural sitting position and options for power-adjustable seats. The cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility and plenty of back seat room for adults. However, the trunk space was limited to 15.1 cubic feet, a trade-off for the extra legroom in the second row.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed, but its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine provided a solid 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also offered a 5.7-liter V8 with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, the only V8 available in its class. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option, except on the 300S.

The 300 offered a quiet, comfortable ride, especially in the AWD Touring L trim. The V8 power in the 300S provided a fun driving experience, though it wasn't as powerful as the higher-displacement powertrains in its Dodge Charger sibling. The 300's driving experience was traditional luxury, without trying to mimic European cars.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque in the Limited XT and Touring XT grades. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive was standard, a unique feature in the midsize sedan class, providing stability over rough terrain and absorbing bumps.

The Legacy's steering was well-balanced, making it easy to maneuver in parking lots, though it became harder to keep between lanes at highway speeds without lane-centering technology. The 2.5-liter engine achieved an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine earned 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. These fuel economy numbers were excellent for a non-hybrid AWD sedan.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front seats and 40.1 inches in the back seats. This made it competitive with cars like the Toyota Avalon and Volvo S90. The 300 had 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, beating the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. Trunk volume was 16.3 cubic feet, enough to fit about four large suitcases.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy improved comfort with a sound-insulation windshield and better seat positioning. The base model had manually adjustable front seats, while higher trims offered power-adjustable seats. The five-seater provided plenty of 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 trunk space, a trade-off for the extra legroom in the second row.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system was intuitive, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy came with dual 7-inch infotainment and climate/vehicle system/safety feature control displays on the base model. Higher trims had an 11.6-inch infotainment screen with on-screen buttons for various controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-volt power outlet, two USB ports, a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack, automatic climate control, and a 4.2-inch meter display. Upmarket trims added more power outlets, USB ports, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, navigation, a 180-degree front-view monitor, Sirius XM Traffic, keyless entry, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and an auto-dimming rearview compass mirror with Homelink.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, except for a "Marginal" score in small overlap tests and a "Poor" rating for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall crash test rating, with a five-star rating for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. Standard safety features included active head restraints, airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available on higher trims and packages.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy earned top scores in every IIHS category and was named a Top Safety Pick. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. The Legacy came standard with Subaru EyeSight technology, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision automatic emergency braking, lane departure and sway warning, and a head-up display. Additional safety features like reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were available. The Legacy also had a sensitive seat-belt monitoring system and a three-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty, and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.