Compare the2023 Subaru LegacyVS 2023 Toyota Crown

The Legacy’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Crown doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Legacy and the Crown have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Legacy the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Crown has not been tested, yet.

The Legacy 2.5i’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 176 lbs.-ft. more torque (176 vs. ) than the Crown’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Legacy 2.5i’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 176 lbs.-ft. more torque (176 vs. ) than the Crown Platinum’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Legacy Sport/XT’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 277 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. ) than the Crown Platinum’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

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 Crown doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Legacy 2.5i gets better fuel mileage than the Crown Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid 6-speed Auto (27 city/35 hwy vs. 29 city/32 hwy).

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

The Legacy has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Crown (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Crown are solid, not vented.

For better maneuverability, the Legacy’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Crown’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Subaru Legacy may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 750 pounds less than the Toyota Crown.

The Legacy is 5 inches shorter than the Crown, 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 Crown doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Legacy has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Crown.

The engine in the Legacy is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Crown. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because 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 Crown doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Legacy has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Crown doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Legacy, based on reliability, safety and performance.