Compare the2022 Subaru LegacyVS 2021 Acura TLX

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Legacy are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The TLX doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Legacy has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The TLX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Legacy Sport/Limited/Touring has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The TLX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Legacy. But it costs extra on the TLX.

Both the Legacy and the TLX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Legacy’s warranty.

The TLX’s redline is at 7000 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Legacy has a 6000 RPM redline.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Legacy’s reliability 29 points higher than the TLX.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 20 places higher in reliability than Acura.

As tested in Motor Trend the Legacy XT 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl.:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Legacy lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The TLX doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Legacy XT CVT turbo 4 cyl. gets better fuel mileage than the TLX SH-AWD turbo 4 cyl. (24 city/32 hwy vs. 21 city/29 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Legacy uses regular unleaded gasoline. The TLX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Legacy has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the TLX (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Legacy has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The TLX doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Legacy’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the TLX are solid, not vented.

The Legacy stops shorter than the TLX:

The Legacy has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the TLX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Legacy Limited handles at .85 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Legacy’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the TLX’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.9 feet).

The Subaru Legacy may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Acura TLX.

The Legacy is 4 inches shorter than the TLX, making the Legacy easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Legacy 2.5i uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The TLX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Legacy a Large car, while the TLX is rated a Compact.

The Legacy has 12.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TLX (105.5 vs. 93.4).

The Legacy has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear legroom, .2 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the TLX.

The Legacy has a much larger trunk than the TLX (15.1 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The engine in the Legacy is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the TLX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Legacy’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Legacy Base). The TLX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its AcuraLink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Legacy’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The TLX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Legacy, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Acura TLX isn't recommended.