There's a lot to consider when choosing a new family sedan. You want to make sure the vehicle you pick will keep your family safe, offer enough room for them and whatever they're carrying, and is reliable and long-lasting. The 2021 Subaru Legacy checks all those boxes and more. With award-winning safety features, a comfortable, spacious cabin, and standard all-wheel drive, it's the perfect fit. We've compared the Subaru Legacy and the Nissan Altima below; find out more before heading for a test drive at Shingle Springs Subaru.
2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 Nissan Altima: Utility & Comfort
When it comes to interior comfort and space, the 2021 Subaru Legacy is the clear cut winner. Compared to the 2021 Nissan Altima, the Legacy has more headroom and legroom plus with a roomy 105.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, that's 5 cubic feet more than the Altima. While both sedans share comfort features such as heated front seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control, the 2021 Legacy offers them on all trim levels but the base model and you have to climb several trim levels to get them on the 2021 Altima.
2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 Nissan Altima: Technology
The 2021 Subaru Legacy comes standard with dual 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen multimedia center with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® capability. Upgrade just one trim for an 11.6-inch touchscreen hi-res navigation system. The 2021 Nissan Altima offers a standard 7-inch display with a trim level upgrade to only an 8-inch touchscreen. You also get dual USB ports standard in the Legacy while only one USB port comes standard with the Altima. Depending on which Subaru Legacy trim level you choose, you get either a four- or six-speaker audio system or the Harman Kardon® 12-speaker Premium Audio System. The highest trim level of the Nissan Altima only offers a 9-speaker system.
2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 Nissan Altima: Performance
Both vehicles come with two engine options. The base model engine of the 2021 Nissan Altima barely edges out a win in horsepower on paper. However, the available 2.4L turbocharged BOXER® engine of the 2021 Subaru Legacy generates 260 horsepower, 12 more than what's available in the new Nissan Altima. What's more, All-wheel drive comes standard on the 2021 Legacy for better handling in adverse weather conditions and rough terrain. The 2021 Altima has standard front-wheel drive. To add the available all-wheel drive would cost $1,400 and it's not available on the base model.
2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 Nissan Altima: Safety
Subaru takes its commitment to safety very seriously and it shows. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded both vehicles a five star crash rating, but while the 2021 Subaru Legacy earned five stars in all crash tests, the 2021 Nissan Altima only earned four stars in the frontal crash test. Only the 2021 Legacy was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Subaru Legacy also offers the available DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System, which alerts the driver if they are driving distracted or drowsy, something the Nissan Altima does not have.
2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 Nissan Altima: Driver Assist Features
The 2021 Subaru Legacy comes standard with EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, and Lane Departure Warning, which will alert you if you're drifting out of your lane. Lane keep assist functions and high-beam assist also come standard on the 2021 Legacy as do LED daytime running lights. You would have to upgrade trim levels on the 2021 Nissan Altima to get LED daytime running lights and pay an extra $450 for the driver assist package to get features that are standard on the Subaru Legacy.
2021 Subaru Legacy vs 2021 Nissan Altima: Value
With a starting MSRP of only $22,895, the 2021 Subaru Legacy is more than $1,400 less than the 2021 Nissan Legacy. Not only that, but the Legacy is packed with standard features that the Altima either doesn't offer or you have to pay extra for. Come see the difference with your own eyes and take a test drive today at Shingle Springs Subaru.
| 2021 Subaru Legacy |  | 2021 Nissan Altima |
| $22,895 | Starting MSRP* | $24,300 |
| Standard | All-Wheel Drive | Available Upgrade |
| 182 | Horsepower | 188 |
| 176 lb.-ft. | Torque | 180 lb.-ft. |
| 27 City / 35 Highway | Fuel Efficiency (MPG) | 28 City / 39 Highway |
| LED | Standard Headlights | Halogen |
| 105.5 cu. ft. | Passenger Volume | 100.8 cu. ft. |
| 15.1 cu. ft. | Trunk Space | 15.4 cu. ft. |
| Dual 7" Touchscreens | Standard Touchscreen | 7" Touchscreen |
| 5 Stars | NHTSA Frontal Crash Rating | 4 Stars |
*Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice.
