2025 Hyundai Elantra vs 2025 Subaru Legacy

$22,125 · Sedan

$26,810 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra bursts onto the scene with sharp, angular styling and an entry price of just $22,125, appealing to budget-conscious drivers who prioritize efficiency, delivering an impressive 36 MPG combined. Contrast this with the substantial 2025 Subaru Legacy, which commands a $4,685 premium at $26,810 but compensates with a confident 182 hp and standard All-Wheel Drive for superior traction. While the Elantra’s 147 hp keeps things zippy around town, the Legacy offers 35 more horsepower and 44 more lb-ft of torque. The Elantra provides better economy (32/41 MPG vs. 27/35 MPG), whereas the Legacy offers a slightly larger footprint, measuring 191.1 inches long with 15.1 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Elantra's 14.2 cu ft. For those seeking maximum financial efficiency and handling lighter duties, the Elantra shines; for confidence in varied weather demanding higher output, the robust Legacy is the answer.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 36 MPG combined compared to the Legacy's 30 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Legacy

The larger Legacy offers greater passenger comfort and a slightly bigger cargo hold at 15.1 cu ft, making it more practical for family duties.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Legacy

The Legacy delivers significantly more excitement with 182 horsepower and the capability of its All-Wheel Drive system.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra undercuts the Legacy by $4,685 while still providing an excellent efficiency return for the entry price.

Choose the Hyundai Elantra if...

Your absolute top priority is stretching every dollar, given the Elantra's $22,125 MSRP.
Maximizing fuel savings is key, thanks to its 32 MPG city and 41 MPG highway ratings.
You prefer a more nimble size, reflected in its shorter 185.4-inch length.

Choose the Subaru Legacy if...

You require the all-weather security and stability offered by the standard All-Wheel Drive.
You desire more spirited acceleration from the 182 hp engine and 176 lb-ft of torque.
You need the slightly larger 15.1 cu ft of cargo capacity for gear or luggage.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Elantra	Subaru Legacy
Length	185.4"	191.1"
Width	71.9"	72.4"
Height	55.7"	59.1"
Wheelbase	107.1"	108.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	32/41 MPG	27/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	36 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	396.8/508.4 mi.	499.5/647.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Air Conditioning	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	39.4 in.
Front Leg Room	42.3 in.	42.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.5 in.	58.1 in.
Front Hip Room	53.4 in.	55.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Rear Head Room	37.3 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	57.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.5 in.	54.8 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	15 x 6.0 in	17 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	195/65R15	225/55R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Elantra and 2025 Subaru Legacy.

What is the primary mechanical difference impacting driving feel between the 2025 Elantra and Legacy?

The most significant difference is the drive type: the Elantra uses FWD, suitable for mostly dry conditions, while the Legacy features standard AWD, providing superior grip and stability when traction is compromised.

How much more power does the Subaru Legacy actually offer over the Hyundai Elantra?

The 2025 Legacy possesses 182 horsepower, creating a notable 35 hp advantage over the Elantra's 147 hp, translating to quicker highway merging capability.

Is the price difference justified by the feature disparity between the two sedans?

The Legacy costs $4,685 more than the Elantra's starting price, largely due to including standard AWD and producing 35 more horsepower.

Which sedan will save me more money annually at the gas pump?

The Elantra is the clear efficiency winner, boasting a 36 MPG combined rating versus the Legacy’s 30 MPG combined, saving fuel costs significantly over high annual mileage.

Are the physical dimensions of these two sedans drastically different?

Yes, the Legacy is physically larger, measuring 191.1 inches long compared to the Elantra's 185.4 inches, and it is also slightly taller at 59.1 inches versus 55.7 inches for the Elantra.