2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in its 12th-generation form, was arguably the most attractive Corolla in recent history. The SE and XSE trims added sporty design elements like sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a twin-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Celestite Gray metallic paint with a blue undertone made the Corolla genuinely appealing. However, some design aspects, such as the hood shut line and the over-styled rear bumper, detracted from its overall look. The Apex Edition amplified these stranger design elements. The Corolla L, LE, and XLE trims offered a more anonymous look, while the Corolla Hybrid provided an affordable path to 50+ mpg.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy, often overlooked in the midsize-sedan segment, competed with popular models like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Available in six trim levels, the Legacy carried over much of the body and mechanics of the Subaru Outback wagon. The Legacy featured standard low-beam and high-beam steering-responsive LED headlights and high-beam assist. While its design wasn't particularly stylish, it stayed true to Subaru's branding and buyer desires for safety and assurance. The Legacy offered various wheel options and exterior trim elements, with power-folding mirrors, a power moonroof, and an All-Weather Package available. Roof mounting points for Subaru genuine-accessory crossbars were a notable feature for brand enthusiasts.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE were powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 169 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine paired with a Dynamic Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT), paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode. The XSE's CVT used a mechanical first gear to eliminate drivetrain slip, and its ten programmed ratios helped hide typical CVT traits. The Corolla's TNGA platform provided a low center of gravity and enjoyable driving dynamics. The SE and XSE trims featured 18-inch aluminum wheels and 225/40 all-season tires. The Corolla XSE demonstrated predictable handling characteristics, making it a competent compact car. The EPA estimated the Corolla XSE's fuel economy at 34 mpg combined, but real-world driving averaged 31.1 mpg.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT. The Legacy's standard all-wheel drive (AWD) set it apart from competitors. The AWD system kept the car planted over rough terrain, while the steering was well-balanced at low speeds but challenging to keep between lanes at highway speeds without lane-centering technology. The 2.5-liter engine achieved an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined, while the turbo engine earned 27 mpg combined. These fuel economy figures were excellent for a non-hybrid AWD sedan.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE offered numerous upgrades, including SofTex leatherette seats with striped fabric inserts, front-seat heating, and an eight-way power driver's seat adjustment. This feature provided added comfort and a commanding driving position. The rear seat cushions offered good support but had tight headroom and legroom, with no air conditioning vents for rear passengers. The Corolla's trunk provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors but more than others. The Corolla hatchback offered 17.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy improved comfort with a sound-insulation windshield and better seat positioning. The Legacy Base model had manually adjustable front seats, while other trims featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and either a four-way or eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The Legacy's back seat provided ample room for adults, with extra legroom from the 2020 redesign. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were available. The Legacy's trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, with a wide opening for easy access.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Every Corolla included a free year of Safety Connect services and a three-month Wi-Fi hotspot trial. The SE and XSE trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with the XSE benefiting from Service Connect and Remote Connect. The SE and XSE also offered a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system, dynamic voice recognition, and dynamic navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and shortcut buttons. However, the radio knobs could be hard to grasp, and the JBL sound system lacked clarity.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy featured dual 7-inch infotainment and climate control displays in the base model, while higher trims had an 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 12-volt power outlet, two USB ports, and automatic climate control. Higher trims added more power outlets, USB ports, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, navigation, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and more. The 11.6-inch touchscreen had an unsophisticated appearance, but menus were easy to navigate. The screen housing attracted fingerprints, and the multicolored background didn't match the vehicle's elegance.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Corolla added standard rear side-impact airbags and a rear cross-traffic warning function. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance had minor issues, but overall, the safety features performed well. The 2020 Corolla earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The 2021 model awaited re-testing due to new airbags.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy earned top scores in every category from the IIHS, including crashworthiness, crash-avoidance tech, and LATCH system ease of use. The Legacy was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received 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, lane departure warning, and a head-up display. Additional safety features included reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring. The seat-belt monitoring system was sensitive and loud, and the EyeSight system could be annoying with its beeps and flashing. The Legacy came with a three-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.