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Volkswagen passat vs subaru legacy: which offers the best all-wheel drive system?

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Volkswagen Passat and the Subaru Legacy are two of the most popular midsize sedans on the market.
  • If you’re looking for a car with more torque and more standard features, the Passat is a good choice.
  • If you’re looking for a car with better fuel economy and a lower price, the Legacy is a good choice.

The Volkswagen Passat and the Subaru Legacy are two of the most popular midsize sedans on the market. Both cars offer a comfortable ride, plenty of features, and a good value for the money. But which one is the right choice for you?

To help you decide, we’re going to compare the two cars in a number of key areas, including:

  • Price
  • Fuel economy
  • Performance
  • Features
  • Safety
  • Reliability

Price

The Volkswagen Passat has a starting price of $23,995. The Subaru Legacy has a starting price of $23,645. So, the Legacy is slightly cheaper than the Passat.

Fuel Economy

The Volkswagen Passat gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Subaru Legacy gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. So, the Legacy has slightly better fuel economy than the Passat.

Performance

The Volkswagen Passat has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. The Subaru Legacy has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. So, the Legacy has slightly more horsepower than the Passat, but the Passat has slightly more torque.

Features

The Volkswagen Passat comes standard with a number of features, including:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • LED headlights
  • Keyless entry and ignition
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system

The Subaru Legacy comes standard with a number of features, including:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • LED headlights
  • Keyless entry and ignition
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system

Safety

The Volkswagen Passat has received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Subaru Legacy has also received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. So, both cars are very safe.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Passat has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 from J.D. Power. The Subaru Legacy has a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 from J.D. Power. So, the Legacy is slightly more reliable than the Passat.

Which Car is Right for You?

The Volkswagen Passat and the Subaru Legacy are both great midsize sedans. The Passat is slightly more expensive and has slightly less fuel economy than the Legacy. However, the Passat has slightly more torque and comes with more standard features. The Legacy is slightly cheaper and has slightly better fuel economy than the Passat. However, the Legacy has slightly less torque and comes with fewer standard features.

Ultimately, the best car for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a car with more torque and more standard features, the Passat is a good choice. If you’re looking for a car with better fuel economy and a lower price, the Legacy is a good choice.

1. Which car has a better warranty?

The Subaru Legacy has a better warranty than the Volkswagen Passat. The Legacy comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Passat comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2. Which car has a more comfortable interior?

The Volkswagen Passat has a more comfortable interior than the Subaru Legacy. The Passat’s interior is more spacious and has more comfortable seats.

3. Which car is better in the snow?

The Subaru Legacy is better in the snow than the Volkswagen Passat. The Legacy comes standard with all-wheel drive, which gives it better traction in slippery conditions.

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Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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