2025 Subaru Legacy vs 2026 Hyundai Sonata
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the dependable 2025 Subaru Legacy and the freshly updated 2026 Hyundai Sonata is a classic trade-off: proven stability versus modern efficiency. If you live somewhere that sees snow or tough weather, the Legacy's standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) gives it an immediate advantage over the Sonata's Front-Wheel Drive (FWD). However, the Sonata pulls ahead on the highway, boasting a 32 MPG combined rating compared to the Legacy’s 30 MPG combined, potentially saving you money over 60,000 miles. While the Legacy starts slightly cheaper at $26,810 versus the Sonata's $27,300 MSRP, the Sonata packs more punch with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, easily outmuscling the Legacy's 182 hp. Both are mid-sized sedans, but the Sonata is slightly longer at 193.3 inches, offering a marginally bigger 15.6 cu ft trunk against the Legacy's 15.1 cu ft.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Sonata
The 2026 Sonata offers superior fuel economy, achieving 38 MPG highway versus the Legacy's 35 MPG highway.
2025 Subaru Legacy
The standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive makes the Legacy the safer, more secure choice for families navigating varied or adverse road conditions.
2026 Hyundai Sonata
The 2026 Sonata provides notably more power with 191 horsepower and an 8-speed automatic transmission compared to the Legacy's 182 hp and CVT.
2025 Subaru Legacy
Despite being slightly less powerful, the Legacy undercuts the Sonata's price, starting at $26,810 versus $27,300.
Choose the Subaru Legacy if...
- You require the security and traction of standard All-Wheel Drive for poor weather conditions.
- You want the lowest entry price point, starting at $26,810.
- You prefer the handling predictability of a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.
Choose the Hyundai Sonata if...
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is paramount, targeting 38 highway MPG.
- You prefer more performance, benefiting from 191 horsepower.
- You want slightly more utility with a larger 15.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Legacy | Hyundai Sonata |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 191.1" | 193.3" |
| Width | 72.4" | 73.2" |
| Height | 59.1" | 56.9" |
| Wheelbase | 108.3" | 111.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 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 | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 27/35 MPG | 28/38 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 32 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 499.5/647.5 mi. | 445.2/604.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 15.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Air Conditioning | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.4 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.8 in. | 46.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.5 in. | 54.6 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 | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 37.3 in. | 37.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 34.8 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.4 in. | 56.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.8 in. | 54.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.5 in | 16 x 6.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/55R | 205/65R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Legacy and 2026 Hyundai Sonata.
Is the 2026 Sonata significantly faster than the 2025 Legacy?
Yes, the Sonata definitely holds the edge in raw power, delivering 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This compares favorably against the Legacy's 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.
Which sedan is better for winter driving?
The 2025 Subaru Legacy is the clear winner here because it comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, providing better traction assurance than the FWD 2026 Sonata.
How big is the difference in fuel economy?
The difference is noticeable over long distances; the Sonata achieves 32 MPG combined, beating the Legacy's 30 MPG combined rating, especially on the highway where the Sonata hits 38 MPG.
Which car offers more space inside for luggage?
Both sedans are close, but the 2026 Sonata has a slight advantage with 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space, just edging out the Legacy's 15.1 cubic feet.
What is the primary benefit of the Legacy’s transmission versus the Sonata’s?
The Legacy uses a CVT, which is engineered for smooth, constant power delivery optimized for AWD efficiency. The Sonata utilizes a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic, which often appeals more to drivers seeking a more connected, traditional shifting feel.
Are these two sedans similarly sized?
They are similar in footprint, but the Sonata is slightly longer at 193.3 inches compared to the Legacy's 191.1 inches, while the Legacy is slightly taller at 59.1 inches versus the Sonata’s 56.9 inches.
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