Nissan Altima vs. Subaru Legacy
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Altima 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 Nissan Altima and the Subaru Legacy.
When comparing the Nissan Altima's and the Subaru Legacy's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. The Subaru Legacy has the advantage in the areas of resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Altima's and the Subaru Legacy's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Altima is a better car than the Subaru Legacy.
Pricing: A used 2024 Nissan Altima ranges from $22,474 to $34,118 while a used 2024 Subaru Legacy is priced between $25,884 to $35,342. For a new model, the Nissan Altima's price is between $26,000 and $36,280, with the Subaru Legacy priced between $27,715 and $38,048.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Altima loses 46 percent of its value and the Subaru Legacy loses 37.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Legacy retains 8.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Altima.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Nissan Altima is 8.6 out of 10 while the Subaru Legacy's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Nissan Altima being ranked 5 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Subaru Legacy being ranked 9 out of 13.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Nissan Altima is 8.3 out of 10. For the Subaru Legacy the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Nissan Altima a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru Legacy.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan Altima’s base engine makes 188 horsepower, and the Subaru Legacy base engine makes 182 horsepower. The Altima is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 632 miles. The Legacy is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 648 miles.This gives the Nissan Altima the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Subaru Legacy the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
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, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Nissan Altima and the Subaru Legacy have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Subaru Legacy has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$26,000 - $36,280
Starting MSRP:
$26,000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$26,143
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$24,700 - $27,895
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$27,715 - $38,048
Starting MSRP:
$24,895
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$26,143
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$24,700 - $27,895
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$27,616
Price Range:
$22,474 - $34,118
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$29,305
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,951 - $31,688
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
5,140
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
3,128
# Good or Great Deals:
365
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$29,670
Price Range:
$25,884 - $35,342
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$29,305
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,951 - $31,688
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
444
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
5,338
# Good or Great Deals:
75
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$11,882
Depreciation %:
45.7%
Resale Value $:
$14,118
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
37.2%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
32.1% - 45.7%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
37.2%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
32.1% - 45.7%
Nissan Altima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Subaru Legacy Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Altima
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
9.5 - 13
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
13.7%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Legacy
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
9.5 - 13
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
5.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.7 - 15.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.7 - 15.5
Nissan Altima Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Subaru Legacy Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Nissan Altima Trim Levels
2.0 SR, 2.5 S, 2.5 SL, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV
Subaru Legacy Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring XT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
188 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 39 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
437 / 632 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
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
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.6 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:
3253 lbs
Width:
72.9 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3491 lbs
Width:
81.1 inches
Height:
59.1 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Deep Blue Pearl
Gray
Gun Metallic
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
White
Glacier White
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Cosmic Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Interior Colors
Black
Slate Black
