Nissan GT-R vs Subaru Legacy: Specs Compared
Also searched as Subaru Legacy vs Nissan GT-R specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Subaru Legacy is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 30 mpg combined versus 19 mpg for the Nissan GT-R, a 11 mpg advantage and costs about $1,950 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Subaru Legacy leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Nissan GT-R | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 19 mpg | 30 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 16 mpg | 27 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 23 mpg | 35 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $4,000 | $2,050 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 472 g/mi | 295 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | 3.8 | SIDI, 2.5, 3.6 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (AM6) | Automatic (AV-S8), Automatic (AV-S7), Automatic (AV-S6) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Regular |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2024 | 2018–2025 |
| Configurations on record | 9 | 16 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Nissan GT-R vs Subaru Legacy dimensions and size
The Subaru Legacy is 7.9 inches longer than the Nissan GT-R on a wheelbase 1.2 inches shorter, and 381.4 lbs lighter. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Nissan GT-R (2024) | Subaru Legacy (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5 in | 191.3 in | 7.9 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 74.8 in | 72.4 in | 2.4 in |
| Height | 53.9 in | 59.1 in | 5.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.4 in | 108.3 in | 1.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3,922 lbs | 3,541 lbs | 381 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Nissan GT-R vs Subaru Legacy: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Subaru Legacy burns about $2,050 of fuel annually against $4,000 for the Nissan GT-R. That $1,950 yearly gap compounds to roughly $9,750 over five years and $15,600 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Subaru Legacy leads in both cycles — 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway against 16 and 23 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Powertrain choice: the Nissan GT-R is recorded with 1 distinct engine configuration (3.8), the Subaru Legacy with 3 (SIDI, 2.5, 3.6). Across 9 recorded Nissan GT-R configurations and 16 for the Subaru Legacy, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Nissan GT-R is offered with All-Wheel Drive, the Subaru Legacy with All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Subcompact Cars and Midsize Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Subaru Legacy emits 295 g/mile of CO2 versus 472 g/mile for the Nissan GT-R. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
GT-R vs Legacy: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Nissan GT-R or the Subaru Legacy?
The Subaru Legacy is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 30 mpg combined versus 19 mpg for the Nissan GT-R, a 11 mpg advantage and costs about $1,950 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Subaru Legacy runs about $2,050 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $4,000 for the Nissan GT-R — a difference of roughly $1,950 per year.
What engines do the GT-R and Legacy offer?
Nissan GT-R: 3.8. Subaru Legacy: SIDI, 2.5, 3.6.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Nissan GT-R as Subcompact Cars and the Subaru Legacy as Midsize Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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