Mazda MAZDA3 vs Subaru Legacy

The 2021 Subaru Legacy was a member of the midsize-sedan club, competing with popular models like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It was available in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT. The Legacy shared much of its body and mechanics with the Subaru Outback wagon, featuring a matching fascia, headlight design, windscreen angle, and dashboard setup. For 2021, Subaru added standard low-beam and high-beam steering-responsive LED headlights and high-beam assist. The Legacy's design was not particularly stylish but stayed true to Subaru's branding, offering a safe and assuring look with high-gloss stainless steel side-window and shoulder-line moldings. Seventeen-inch steel wheels were standard, with options to upgrade to alloy or machine-finished wheels. The interior was subdued, with a blend of high-quality materials and piano black plastic, offering cloth upholstery as standard and leather as an option.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, with the most variety found in the 2.5 S lineup, offering five trim levels and a choice between FWD and AWD. The top-of-the-line hatchback in 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim featured extra-cost Polymetal Gray Metallic paint and an MSRP of $35,810. The Mazda3's appearance was not universally appealing, with deeply sculpted flanks and a hatchback design that some might call "hunchback." However, it had a certain artistry and a mature, serious look. The interior was refined, with sophisticated design and polished metallic finishes, presenting an upscale, almost elegant environment. The Mazda3 was designed around the driver, with excellent thigh and side bolster support, user-friendly controls, and padded armrests. The back seat was less comfortable for taller passengers, and storage space was adequate but not exceptional.

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 in the Limited XT and Touring XT grades, achieving 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT, and AWD was standard. The 2.5-liter engine had an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbo engine earned 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. The Legacy's steering was well-balanced, but it became hard to keep between lanes at highway speeds without lane-centering technology activated.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered three engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with power output depending on the fuel type. The turbo engine produced 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with 87-octane gas, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with 93-octane fuel. The 2.5 Turbo had standard AWD and a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the turbo models was 26 mpg (hatchback) or 27 mpg (sedan) in combined driving. The Mazda3 was fun to drive, with smooth power delivery, nimble handling, and excellent steering. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving on challenging roads.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy featured a sound-insulation windshield to block wind and engine noise, improved seat positioning, and a spacious cabin with plenty of back seat room for adults. The front seats were available with manual or power adjustments, and heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were optional. The Legacy had 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, which was less than some competitors but had a wide opening for easy access.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had a low seating position, making it difficult to enter and exit, but once inside, the front seats provided a snug and comfortable fit. The driver-focused interior included an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and leather upholstery in higher trims. The back seat was less comfortable for taller passengers, and there were no rear air conditioning vents or USB ports. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 47.1 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy came with dual 7-inch infotainment and climate control displays in the base model, while higher trims featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 12-volt power outlet, two USB ports, and a 4.2-inch meter display. Higher trims added more power outlets, USB ports, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, navigation, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and other features. The 11.6-inch screen had an unsophisticated appearance, but menus were easy to navigate.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch static display and primary controls on the center console. Mazda avoided touchscreens, believing they were distracting, but the lack of a physical tuning function and a voice recognition system that required specific commands were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, and Mazda Connected Services provided remote access to some vehicle functions. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose system available in higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy earned top scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Subaru EyeSight technology with adaptive cruise control, pre-collision automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. Additional features like reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were available.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 also received top safety ratings, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system.