2025 Subaru Legacy vs 2026 Mazda 3

$26,810 · Sedan

$24,550 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The most substantial initial difference between the 2025 Subaru Legacy and the 2026 Mazda 3 is their size, with the Legacy measuring 191.1 inches in length compared to the Mazda 3's 183.5 inches. Despite the Legacy's larger footprint, the Mazda 3 offers a slight power advantage, producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque versus the Legacy's 182 hp and 176 lb-ft. Fuel economy is virtually identical, both achieving a combined 30 MPG. Pricing shows a clear divergence, with the Mazda 3 starting at an MSRP of $24,550, undercutting the Legacy's $26,810 entry price by $2,260. Cargo space also favors the Legacy slightly, offering 15.1 cu ft against the Mazda 3's 13.2 cu ft. Furthermore, the standard All-Wheel Drive system in the Legacy contrasts with the Mazda 3's Front-Wheel Drive setup, influencing their respective driving dynamics and base pricing.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mazda 3

The 2026 Mazda 3 wins for commuters due to its $2,260 lower starting MSRP and marginally better 36 MPG highway rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Legacy

The 2025 Subaru Legacy provides superior utility for families with its larger 15.1 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to 13.2 cu ft in the Mazda 3.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda 3

The 2026 Mazda 3 appeals more to driving enthusiasts with higher baseline torque (186 lb-ft vs. 176 lb-ft) and a conventional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 delivers superior power-to-price value, starting at $24,550 while delivering 186 hp.

Choose the Subaru Legacy if...

You prioritize traction and all-weather capability because the Subaru Legacy comes standard with All-Wheel Drive.
You require maximum cargo space, as the Legacy offers 15.1 cu ft versus the Mazda 3's 13.2 cu ft.
You prefer a slightly larger exterior footprint, with the Legacy measuring 191.1 inches long.

Choose the Mazda 3 if...

Budget is the primary concern, as the Mazda 3 starts at $24,550, significantly lower than the Legacy's $26,810.
You desire slightly greater standard output, as the Mazda 3 produces 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer a traditional geared automatic, as the Mazda 3 includes a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Subaru Legacy	Mazda 3
Length	191.1"	183.5"
Width	72.4"	70.7"
Height	59.1"	56.9"
Wheelbase	108.3"	107.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
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	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
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	186 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	186 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	Mazda
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—

Fuel

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/35 MPG	27/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	499.5/647.5 mi.	356.4/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
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	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	8
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	—

Power Feature

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	42.8 in.	42.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	55.7 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	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
Rear Head Room	37.3 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	34.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.4 in.	53.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.8 in.	50.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Mazda
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	205/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Legacy and 2026 Mazda 3.

Which sedan offers better fuel economy between the 2025 Legacy and 2026 Mazda 3?

Both vehicles share an identical combined MPG rating of 30. However, the 2026 Mazda 3 holds a marginal advantage on the highway, achieving 36 MPG compared to the Legacy's 35 MPG.

Does the standard drivetrain setup differ significantly between these two models?

Yes, the comparison highlights a key difference: the 2025 Subaru Legacy comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, while the 2026 Mazda 3 is equipped with Front-Wheel Drive.

How much more interior space does the Legacy offer compared to the Mazda 3?

The 2025 Subaru Legacy provides a more spacious cargo area, measuring 15.1 cubic feet, which is nearly 2.0 cubic feet larger than the 13.2 cubic feet offered by the 2026 Mazda 3.

Which vehicle has higher base horsepower and torque figures?

The 2026 Mazda 3 produces slightly more output with 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 2025 Subaru Legacy's 182 hp and 176 lb-ft.