BMW 5 Series vs. Subaru Legacy
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 5 Series and Subaru Legacy contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW 5 Series and the Subaru Legacy.
When we compare the BMW 5 Series's and the Subaru Legacy's specifications and ratings, the BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Subaru Legacy has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW 5 Series's and the Subaru Legacy's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Legacy is a better car than the BMW 5 Series.
Pricing: A used 2026 BMW 5 Series ranges from $61,178 to $71,813 while a used 2025 Subaru Legacy is priced between $24,999 to $34,318. For a new model, the BMW 5 Series's price is between $63,965 and $80,990, with the Subaru Legacy priced between $28,193 and $40,533.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 5 Series loses 61.4 percent of its value and the Subaru Legacy loses 40.8 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Legacy retains 20.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 5 Series.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 5 Series is 7.0 out of 10 while the Subaru Legacy's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the BMW 5 Series being ranked 8 out of 20 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Subaru Legacy being ranked 4 out of 11 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 5 Series is 7.1 out of 10. For the Subaru Legacy the reliability rating is 7.7 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Legacy a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW 5 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 5 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Subaru Legacy base engine makes 182 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are midsize cars, the Subaru Legacy has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear head room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru Legacy has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
63965 - 80990
Starting MSRP:
59900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
76559
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
48600 - 130700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
28193 - 40533
Starting MSRP:
26810
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
26816
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24700 - 28295
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
66455
Price Range:
61178 - 71813
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
66455
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
66455 - 66455
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
28843
Price Range:
24999 - 34318
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
27493
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
25110 - 29237
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
36835
Depreciation %:
0.61493575
Resale Value $:
23065
Residual Value %:
0.38506425
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.56080626
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.46195828 - 0.61493575
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
11029
Depreciation %:
0.41136945
Resale Value $:
15781
Residual Value %:
0.58863055
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
0.43738499
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.35336067 - 0.49749174
BMW 5 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
Subaru Legacy Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 5 Series
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
12.8
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
9.4 - 16.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.022
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Legacy
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
7.8 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.159
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.447757589536007
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.6 - 7.3
BMW 5 Series Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 16Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 16Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 20Subaru Legacy Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 11Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 5 Series Trim Levels
530i, 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive
Subaru Legacy Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring XT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.063 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
176 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 35 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
500 / 648 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.4 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4041 lbs
Width:
84.9 inches
Height:
59.6 inches
Length:
199.2 inches
Wheelbase:
117.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3492 lbs
Width:
81.8 inches
Height:
59.1 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic
Blue
Frozen Portimao Blue Metallic / Phytonic Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Frozen Deep Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Oxide Grey Metallic
Green
Cape York Green Metallic
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Cosmic Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Crystal White Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Taupe/Atlas Grey
Black
Black / Black/Atlas Grey
Brown
Copper Brown/Atlas Grey / Espresso Brown
Gray
Silverstone II Atlas Grey
Purple
Dark Violet/Atlas Grey
Red
Burgundy Red
White
Smoke White
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Slate Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Purple
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
