2025 Kia K4 vs 2025 Subaru Legacy

$21,990 · Sedan

$26,810 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The primary divergence between the 2025 Kia K4 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy lies in pricing and powertrain capability. The Legacy commands a $4,820 premium over the K4's $21,990 MSRP. This price gap reflects the Legacy’s standard power advantage, delivering 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming the K4's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. Conversely, the K4 offers superior efficiency, achieving a combined 34 MPG compared to the Legacy's 30 MPG combined rating. Dimensionally, the Legacy is longer at 191.1 inches and taller at 59.1 inches, while both offer comparable cargo volumes (15.1 cu ft for Legacy vs. 14.6 cu ft for K4). The fundamental difference in drive type—FWD for the K4 versus standard AWD for the Legacy—dictates suitability across varied driving conditions, offsetting the K4's 4 MPG efficiency lead.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia K4

The Kia K4 wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy rating of 34 MPG versus the Legacy's 30 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy is better suited for families due to its standard All-Wheel Drive capability and greater overall height of 59.1 inches.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy appeals more to enthusiasts by offering 35 more horsepower (182 hp) and 44 more lb-ft of torque (176 lb-ft).

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia K4

The Kia K4 offers superior baseline value with an MSRP of $21,990, undercutting the Legacy by $4,820.

Choose the Kia K4 if...

Your budget is prioritized, as the $21,990 MSRP is $4,820 less than the competition.
Maximum fuel efficiency is critical, given its 34 MPG combined rating (40 MPG highway).
You only require front-wheel drive and do not need standard all-wheel drive.

Choose the Subaru Legacy if...

All-weather capability is necessary, as it includes standard all-wheel drive.
You prioritize performance, benefiting from 182 horsepower compared to the K4's 147 hp.
Greater interior headroom and overall length (191.1 inches) are preferred.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia K4	Subaru Legacy
Length	185.4"	191.1"
Width	72.8"	72.4"
Height	55.9"	59.1"
Wheelbase	107.1"	108.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
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	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	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	Kia	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	Kia	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	30/40 MPG	27/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	34 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	372.0/496.0 mi.	499.5/647.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.0 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	53.3 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	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Rear Head Room	37.3 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	57.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	51.9 in.	54.8 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	17 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	205/55R16	225/55R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia K4 and 2025 Subaru Legacy.

How significant is the power difference between the 2025 Kia K4 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy?

The Subaru Legacy holds a substantial power advantage, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, which is 35 hp and 44 lb-ft more than the Kia K4's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft.

Which sedan offers better fuel economy for daily driving?

The Kia K4 is the more efficient option, achieving 34 MPG combined (30/40 MPG city/highway), outpacing the Legacy's 30 MPG combined rating.

Why does the Subaru Legacy cost $4,820 more than the Kia K4?

The higher MSRP for the Legacy reflects the inclusion of standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and its substantially more powerful 182 hp engine, features not found in the base FWD Kia K4.

Are the cargo capacities notably different between these two sedans?

The cargo capacities are very similar; the Legacy offers 15.1 cubic feet, slightly edging out the K4's 14.6 cubic feet.

Does the size difference affect practicality?

Yes, the Legacy is physically larger, measuring 191.1 inches long and 59.1 inches tall, compared to the K4's 185.4 inches in length and 55.9 inches in height.