2019 Audi A6 vs 2020 Subaru Legacy

The 2019 Audi A6 was a testament to the brand's commitment to luxury and style, drawing inspiration from the Prologue Concept while maintaining its distinct Audi identity. The car featured a wider single-frame grille, subtle fender swells reminiscent of the original Audi Quattro, and innovative LED lighting with animated sequences, all contributing to its modern and technical appearance. The A6's design was further enhanced by a short front overhang, a rakish roofline, and horizontal themes for the taillights and exhaust outlets, ensuring a connection to its predecessors. The interior was a showcase of high-quality materials, sophisticated patterns, and refined color schemes, although it had some minor drawbacks, such as cabin creaks and plastic pieces on the seat backs.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru Legacy focused on pragmatic sensibility, offering a handsome yet understated design that sometimes struggled to stand out. While it had sharp angles and details, it lacked the boldness of competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Legacy's front-end design was practical, but it could have benefited from a more distinctive presentation. Inside, the Legacy impressed with its spacious backseat, accommodating even taller passengers comfortably. The front seats were supportive, and the cabin offered practical storage solutions, although the center stack tray was somewhat cramped. Overall, the Legacy provided a comfortable and functional interior, albeit with some technical challenges.

The 2019 Audi A6 delivered an exhilarating driving experience, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 7-speed S tronic automated manual transmission and Quattro Ultra AWD system, allowed the A6 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. The A6's mild hybrid system, featuring a 48-volt electrical system, contributed to fuel efficiency by capturing energy during coasting and braking. Despite the EPA's estimate of 25 mpg, real-world testing yielded 22.9 mpg. The A6's steering, brakes, and adaptive damping suspension worked harmoniously to provide a dynamic and engaging driving experience, although the brake pedal felt slightly numb in urban settings.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT featuring a manual mode and paddle shifters. The Legacy's base engine provided adequate city performance but struggled at highway speeds, while the turbocharged engine offered more power. The Legacy's chassis impressed with precise cornering and refined ride quality. The auto stop-start system aimed to conserve fuel, contributing to an observed fuel economy of 29 mpg with the base engine. However, the system's operation was jarring, and disabling it required navigating the infotainment system's sub-menus.

The 2019 Audi A6's interior was luxurious yet snug, with 18-way multi-contour front seats offering various massage programs. The standard seats, upgraded with ventilation, lacked adjustable side bolsters, which would have enhanced comfort during spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed comfort with features like 4-zone automatic climate control and heated seats. However, interior storage was limited, and the trunk, housing the 48-volt electrical system's battery, offered just 13.7 cubic feet of space.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy provided solid trunk space at 15.1 cubic feet, surpassing the previous model. The backseat offered impressive head- and legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The front seats were supportive, and the cabin featured practical storage solutions, including deep door pockets and rear USB ports. However, the center stack tray was somewhat cramped, making it challenging to access the USB port.

The 2019 Audi A6 excelled in technology, featuring the latest version of Audi's MMI with dual touchscreen displays. The system offered quick loading times, haptic feedback, and lush graphics, with highlights including a navigation system with Google Earth imagery, handwriting recognition, and a surround-view camera. Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems further enhanced the tech experience, although the absence of physical buttons was a minor drawback.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy's Starlink infotainment system, displayed on a massive 11.6-inch screen, faced criticism for its complexity. Basic functions like adjusting heated seats and climate controls required multiple steps, detracting from user-friendliness. The system's portrait orientation compressed Apple CarPlay, and while the icons were large and responsive, the overall experience was frustrating. The base trim offered a dual-screen setup with similar issues, leaving no escape from the Legacy's tech challenges.

The 2019 Audi A6 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, with advanced features available on Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Pre Sense systems, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, active lane assist, and intersection assistant were among the highlights. The Prestige trim added HD Matrix LED headlights, although the optional night-vision assistant was not included in the test car. The systems integrated seamlessly into daily driving, providing subtle and effective assistance.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The system used a head-up light system for alerts, providing intuitive feedback. EyeSight also featured an alert for when the car in front started moving, helping prevent traffic backups. Standard safety features included airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.