Nissan Maxima vs. Subaru Legacy
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Maxima 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 Maxima and the Subaru Legacy.
When comparing the Nissan Maxima's and the Subaru Legacy's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Maxima has the advantage in the areas of reliability, overall quality score and 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, and fuel efficiency, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Maxima's and the Subaru Legacy's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Legacy is a better car than the Nissan Maxima.
Pricing: A used 2023 Nissan Maxima ranges from $27,992 to $42,119 while a used 2023 Subaru Legacy is priced between $24,267 to $33,355. For a new model, the Nissan Maxima's price is between $37,077 and $46,938, with the Subaru Legacy priced between $24,478 and $39,938.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Maxima loses 49.7 percent of its value and the Subaru Legacy loses 37.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Legacy retains 12.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Maxima.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Nissan Maxima is 8.6 out of 10 while the Subaru Legacy's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Nissan Maxima being ranked 3 out of 8 Best Large Cars and the Subaru Legacy being ranked 9 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Nissan Maxima is 8.5 out of 10. For the Subaru Legacy the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Nissan Maxima a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru Legacy.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan Maxima’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Subaru Legacy base engine makes 182 horsepower. The Maxima is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 540 miles. The Legacy is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 648 miles. This gives the Subaru Legacy the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Nissan Maxima. The Maxima uses premium unleaded, and the Legacy uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Legacy, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Nissan Maxima, a large car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Nissan Maxima and the Subaru Legacy have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$37,077 - $46,938
Starting MSRP:
$38,340
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large Cars)
$35,372
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large Cars)
$33,545 - $38,340
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$24,478 - $39,938
Starting MSRP:
$24,395
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$28,753
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$24,395 - $43,010
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$35,654
Price Range:
$27,992 - $42,119
Category Avg Price:
(Large Cars)
$40,116
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large Cars)
$35,654 - $43,971
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
314
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
33,102
# Good or Great Deals:
63
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$28,244
Price Range:
$24,267 - $33,355
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$28,886
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,223 - $40,199
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
66
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
28,244
# Good or Great Deals:
16
Nissan Maxima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 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 Maxima
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Large Cars)
9.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Large Cars)
8.8 - 9.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
23.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Legacy
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
9.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
8.5 - 12
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
5.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large Cars)
1.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large Cars)
1.3 - 2.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
12.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 16.2
Nissan Maxima Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
6 out of / 8Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
7 out of / 8Subaru 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 Maxima Trim Levels
3.5 Platinum, 3.5 SR, 3.5 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
261 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.083 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:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
360 / 540 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
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
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
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
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
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:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
45 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.5 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:
3608 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
192.8 inches
Wheelbase:
109.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
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:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
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
Red
Scarlet Ember Tintcoat
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White TriCoat
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Cosmic Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Brown
Cashmere
Interior Colors
Black
Slate Black
Brown
Not available
