Specs at a Glance
2018 Subaru Legacy
Engine
2.5L
Fuel Capacity
18.5 gal.
2018 Honda Accord
Engine
1.5L
Fuel Capacity
14.8 gal.
2018 Subaru Legacy vs 2018 Honda Accord
Serving Harrisonburg, Dayton, and Massanetta Springs, VA
Compared to other midsize sedans, the Subaru Legacy and the Honda Accord, which were introduced to the United States in 1989, are old timers—and in a good way. The Legacy has built a reputation as Subaru’s longest-running nameplate in the country. And the Accord has flourished as one of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling vehicles in automotive history. For the 2018 model year, both vehicles step it up: the Legacy with its updated styling, larger standard display screen, and returned driving feel; and the Accord with a completely new design to commence its tenth production cycle. While each vehicle provides the best of what the midsize sedan market offers—efficiency, affordability, and ample cabins—the 2018 Legacy is the better choice of the two because of the following factors.
Standard All-Wheel Drive
While the 2018 Honda Accord sticks with the traditional front-wheel drivetrain, the 2018 Subaru Legacy has always bucked the trend with its standard all-wheel drivetrain. This is a pretty big deal, since the Legacy remains the only midsize sedan with this feature. Plus, with engine power sent to all four wheels, it would be much easier to handle wheel slippage when driving on roads compromised by rain, snow, or ice. This type of enhanced traction is not possible on the Honda Accord.
Engine Power
To maximize engine output on the 2018 Subaru Legacy, you can opt for the top-level Limited trim, which allows you to get the available 3.6-liter horizontally opposed (H) 6-cylinder Subaru Boxer® engine. This H6 produces 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, Honda did away with the 3.5-liter V6 that was available on the ninth-generation Accord, preferring instead to provide smaller and more fuel efficiency-minded engines. Honda does so by sacrificing brawn; the most powerful engine available is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that generates 252 horsepower, which is 4 less horsepower than the 3.6-liter H6 available on the Legacy.
Safety
The 2018 Subaru Legacy and the 2018 Honda Accord are rated as exceptionally safe by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Each sedan is rated a “Top Safety Pick Plus” vehicle, which is the most prestigious designation that the organization gives for safety. The Legacy and the Accord primarily earned this honor because they each got the best possible ratings of “Good” and “Superior” on all five IIHS crashworthiness tests and the front crash prevention test, respectively. However, when it comes to the effectiveness of headlight illumination, the Legacy got a top-level “Superior” rating while the Accord received a lower “Acceptable” rating. The same ratings occurred with the ease of use of the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system, which secures child safety seats in the back. Ultimately, the 2018 Subaru Legacy is rated a safer car by the IIHS than the 2018 Honda Accord.
Ready to check out the 2018 Subaru Legacy, rather than the 2018 Honda Accord? At our Harrisonburg, Virginia dealership, we take great pride on providing our customers with the best service possible (as evidenced by aggregated reviews on Google)—and we have a team of Subaru experts that always ensure that we do. Call today to set an appointment with one of them—and drive off in the 2018 Subaru Legacy that has your preferred equipment and options.
