2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Subaru Legacy was a midsize sedan that often flew under the radar, competing with popular models like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It was available in six trim levels, offering a range of features from basic to premium. The Legacy shared much of its design with the Subaru Outback, featuring a similar fascia and dashboard setup. For 2021, Subaru enhanced the Legacy with standard steering-responsive LED headlights and high-beam assist. While its design wasn't particularly striking, it adhered to Subaru's brand identity, offering a sleek yet understated look. The Legacy's interior combined high-quality materials with practical design, though some fit-and-finish issues were noted in the Limited XT model. It provided options for cloth or leather upholstery, maintaining a balance of form and function without extravagant extras.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, coupe-like design into 2022. It resembled a smaller Altima, showcasing Nissan's current design language. The Sentra was available in bold colors, adding a touch of flair to its appearance. Inside, the Sentra excelled with a modern and functional layout, featuring a touchscreen as the centerpiece. The Sentra offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, each with varying features. The SR trim, in particular, added sporty elements like LED headlights and unique bumper designs. The Midnight Edition package further enhanced the SR's aesthetics with dark accents. Overall, the Sentra's design and interior layout provided a comfortable and stylish experience.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine delivering 260 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Legacy's standard all-wheel drive set it apart from competitors, providing stability on rough terrain. While the steering was well-balanced at low speeds, it became challenging to keep the car centered on highways without lane-centering technology. The Legacy's fuel economy was commendable, with the base engine achieving 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, while the turbocharged engine offered slightly lower figures.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 149 horsepower, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. While not outstanding, the engine provided consistent performance in both city and highway settings. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its suspension handled most road conditions adequately. The Sentra's performance was satisfactory for commuting and occasional road trips, offering a balanced driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy prioritized comfort with improved seat positioning and sound insulation. It offered ample back seat room for adults, making it suitable for long journeys. The Legacy's spacious cabin provided a sense of openness, though it sacrificed some trunk space, offering 15.1 cubic feet. Heated and ventilated seats, along with a heated steering wheel, were available options.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. The Sentra's front seats offered generous headroom and legroom, while the rear seats provided decent space. The Sentra's interior featured practical storage solutions, including in-door cargo trays and cupholders, enhancing its functionality.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy came with dual 7-inch infotainment displays on the base model, while higher trims featured an 11.6-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with various connectivity options. The infotainment system, though functional, lacked sophistication in its design. Higher trims offered additional features like navigation and a premium audio system.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with higher trims offering an 8-inch screen. The system was user-friendly, with conventional buttons and dials for easy navigation. However, the graphics could benefit from an update, and the lack of wireless connectivity was a drawback compared to some competitors.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy excelled in safety, earning top scores from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured Subaru EyeSight technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and pre-collision braking. The Legacy's safety system was comprehensive, though some alerts could be intrusive.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra also boasted a strong safety profile, with standard features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. It received high ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick award. The Sentra's adaptive cruise control, while effective, could be abrupt in its braking.