Complete configuration comparison
Car Chomper says the base 2026 Mazda 3's $24,550 MSRP saves $2,260 over the 2025 Subaru Legacy's $26,810, with the Mazda 3 producing slightly more output at 186 hp/186 lb-ft versus the Legacy's 182 hp/176 lb-ft, though the Legacy comes standard with AWD versus the Mazda 3's FWD and offers nearly 2 more cubic feet of cargo space at 15.1 versus 13.2, both sharing an identical 30 mpg combined rating with the Mazda 3 holding a marginal highway edge at 36 mpg versus the Legacy's 35. TrimAtlas says at the top-trim level, the Subaru Legacy Touring XT's 260-hp turbo flat-four outguns the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus's 227 hp, though the Mazda leads in torque at 310 lb-ft versus 277, with the Legacy 15.5 inches longer and both sharing similar 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Car Chomper says the base 2026 Mazda 3's $24,550 MSRP saves $2,260 over the 2025 Subaru Legacy's $26,810, with the Mazda 3 producing slightly more output at 186 hp/186 lb-ft versus the Legacy's 182 hp/176 lb-ft, though the Legacy comes standard with AWD versus the Mazda 3's FWD and offers nearly 2 more cubic feet of cargo space at 15.1 versus 13.2, both sharing an identical 30 mpg combined rating with the Mazda 3 holding a marginal highway edge at 36 mpg versus the Legacy's 35. TrimAtlas says at the top-trim level, the Subaru Legacy Touring XT's 260-hp turbo flat-four outguns the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus's 227 hp, though the Mazda leads in torque at 310 lb-ft versus 277, with the Legacy 15.5 inches longer and both sharing similar 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the base 2026 Mazda 3's $24,550 MSRP saves $2,260 over the 2025 Subaru Legacy's $26,810, with the Mazda 3 producing slightly more output at 186 hp/186 lb-ft versus the Legacy's 182 hp/176 lb-ft, though the Legacy comes standard with AWD versus the Mazda 3's FWD and offers nearly 2 more cubic feet of cargo space at 15.1 versus 13.2, both sharing an identical 30 mpg combined rating with the Mazda 3 holding a marginal highway edge at 36 mpg versus the Legacy's 35.
TrimAtlas (opens in a new tab) says at the top-trim level, the Subaru Legacy Touring XT's 260-hp turbo flat-four outguns the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus's 227 hp, though the Mazda leads in torque at 310 lb-ft versus 277, with the Legacy 15.5 inches longer and both sharing similar 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Mazda 3, by $2,260 at base MSRP.
TrimAtlas (opens in a new tab) says the Legacy Touring XT, at 260 hp versus the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo's 227 hp.
Side-by-side matrix
| Decision field | Mazda 3 | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Exact EPA records | 7 | 2 |
| Model / option labels | 4 | 1 |
| Drive layouts | 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Engines / propulsion | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI | 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd | Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Fuel types | Regular | Regular |
| EPA classes | Compact Cars, Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Combined efficiency | 26–30 MPG/MPGe | 26–30 MPG/MPGe |
| Electric range | Not listed | Not listed |
| Annual fuel / energy estimate | $2150–2500 per year | $2150–2500 per year |
Head to head
| Measure | Mazda 3 | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (KBB base) | $25,885 | $27,980 |
| Top trim price (KBB base) | $39,325 | $41,280 |
| Horsepower | 186-227 hp | 182-260 hp |
| Torque | 186-310 lb-ft | 176-277 lb-ft |
| Curb weight | 3,111-3,413 lb | 3,492-3,787 lb |
| Length | 183.5 in | 191.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 in | 108.3 in |
| Cargo volume | 13.2 cu ft | 15.1 cu ft |
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Basic warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 and 2025 model years); prices are KBB base prices.
Background on each vehicle
The Mazda3 is a compact car manufactured by Mazda since 2003 over four generations. The body styles have been a 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan across all generations. It was sold as the Mazda Axela in Japan until 2019.
Source: Mazda3 (Wikipedia)
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru from 1989 to 2025. The maker's flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine. In 1996, a variant of the Legacy with heightened suspension called the Legacy Outback was introduced to compete in the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle class, and proved to be a sales success for Subaru.
Source: Subaru Legacy (Wikipedia)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Legacy overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Legacy, most often about engine (3), air bags (1), steering (1).
Open both dossiers
Comparison answer desk
Neither the 2026 Mazda 3 nor the 2025 Subaru Legacy separates on this field: both list a 28 combined MPG/MPGe midpoint in this snapshot.
None measurable between the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy: both midpoints round to 28 combined MPG/MPGe.
No. The 2026 Mazda 3 lists 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive while the 2025 Subaru Legacy lists All-Wheel Drive: no drive designation appears on both current lineups.
Yes. The 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy both list 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI among their current descriptions, though shared wording does not guarantee identical output or calibration.
No shared transmission description between the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy in this snapshot. 2026 Mazda 3: Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd. 2025 Subaru Legacy: Automatic (AV-S8).
Yes, entirely: the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy both run on Regular and nothing else in this snapshot.
Yes, at least partly: the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy are both categorized under Conventional in this snapshot.
Neither: the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy both list a $2,325 annual estimate midpoint under EPA's standardized assumptions.
No measurable gap between the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy: both estimate midpoints round to $2,325 per year.
Neither: the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy both span the same 4-point range between their listed lowest and highest combined values.
Partly. The 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy overlap on Midsize Cars, but the 2026 Mazda 3 also carries Compact Cars.
The 2026 Mazda 3, with 7 certification records against the 2025 Subaru Legacy's 2.
The 2026 Mazda 3, at a 16.5 cubic-foot midpoint against the other's 15.
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