Compare the2024 Subaru LegacyVS 2024 Nissan Altima

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Altima doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the Legacy and the Altima 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 parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Legacy is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	Legacy	Altima
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	158	171
Neck Injury Risk	26%	30%
Neck Stress	281 lbs.	343 lbs.
Neck Compression	57 lbs.	78 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	43%	54%
Neck Stress	147 lbs.	280 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	110 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	161/137 lbs.	260/280 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Legacy is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	Legacy	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	50	187
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	335 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	16 inches
HIC	104	157
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	681 lbs.	769 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Legacy is much safer than the Altima:

	Legacy	Altima
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Injury Criterion	71	562
Head Peak Forces	no contact	109 G’s
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	625 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.14 in	2.09 in
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.42 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	10 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	1026 lbs.	1339 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	7 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

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 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Altima last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Legacy has larger alternators than the Altima:

	Legacy	Altima
Standard Alternator	150 amps	120 amps
Optional Alternator	190 amps	150 amps

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Legacy has a standard 620-amp battery. The Altima’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 11 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Legacy has more powerful engines than the Altima:

	Horsepower
Legacy Sport/XT 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	260 HP
Altima AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	182 HP
Altima 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	188 HP
Altima SR 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	248 HP

As tested in Motor Trend the Legacy Sport/XT 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Nissan Altima 4 cyl.:

	Legacy	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.5 MPH	90.2 MPH

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 Altima doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Legacy’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Altima doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Legacy uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Altima SR requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Legacy has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Legacy has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Legacy’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Altima:

	Legacy	Altima
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		11.5 inches

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 Altima are solid, not vented.

The Legacy stops shorter than the Altima:

	Legacy	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Legacy has larger tires than the Altima (225/55R17 vs. 215/60R16).

The Legacy Base/Premium’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Altima S’ standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Legacy Base/Premium has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S.

Suspension and Handling

The Legacy Limited handles at .85 G’s, while the Altima SV AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Legacy Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Altima SV AWD (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Legacy Sport is quieter than the Altima SR AWD:

	Legacy	Altima
At idle	41 dB	45 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	70 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Legacy a Large car, while the Altima is rated a Mid-size.

The Legacy has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Altima (105.5 vs. 100.6).

The Legacy has .3 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Legacy’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Altima’s useful trunk space.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Legacy. The Altima doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Legacy is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Altima. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Legacy Limited/Touring, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Altima doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Legacy’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Altima’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Legacy’s standard front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Altima’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Legacy Limited/Sport/Touring’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches.

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 Altima doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Legacy’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Altima’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Legacy’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Altima’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 Altima doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Legacy Limited/Touring is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Altima’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Altima offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Legacy and the Altima offer available heated front seats. The Legacy Limited/Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Altima.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Legacy Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Altima doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Legacy owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Legacy will cost $1615 to $7540 less than the Altima over a five-year period.

The Legacy will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Legacy will retain 50.69% to 55.92% of its original price after five years, while the Altima only retains 41.69% to 47.34%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Legacy is less expensive to operate than the Altima because typical repairs cost much less on the Legacy than the Altima, including $151 less for a muffler, $20 less for front brake pads, $121 less for fuel injection, $28 less for a timing belt/chain and $206 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Legacy will be $4793 to $7646 less than for the Nissan Altima.

Recommendations

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its May 2021 issue and they ranked the Subaru Legacy Limited four places higher than the Nissan Altima SR.

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