Comparison Test: 2015 Chrysler 200C AWD vs 2015 Subaru Legacy AWD Limited

Suspension and Handling

This is where the Subaru really starts to claw back points against the floaty, spongey and bump-steering 200.

You might think the lack of handling ability would translate to a more comfortable, supple ride, but it doesn’t. Where the Legacy takes potholes and bumps in its stride the 200 crashes over them with noisy, uncomfortable violence.

Should you encounter a bump or pothole mid-corner the resultant convulsion will dramatically change the 200’s trajectory.

Confusing matters, the tires on the Subaru were pretty rubbish and gave up plenty of disconcerting squeal, but the chassis itself was composed and forgiving. From our guest reviewer: “I really felt stable in [the Legacy] at every speed, even if tires were chirping.  The drive being more sedate meant that I was really comfortable and knew what to expect at all times.”

2015 Chrysler 200 vs Subaru Legacy. Click image to enlarge

The Subaru has active torque vectoring so it brakes the inside wheels to improve your cornering ability and maintain stability. The 200 has four-channel stability control as well, but it feels less secure and composed than the Legacy.

Still our guest tester, a self-professed Subaru slappy was impressed by the all-wheel drive system of the Chrysler.

“What amazed me most,” he said, “Was that on dry pavement at least, the 200’s AWD system kept up incredibly well with the Subaru’s.  I wouldn’t call it better or equal, but not far off.  That’s a really big compliment coming from me.”

When it comes to going around corners, the Legacy drives around the 200 on the outside.

Value

And this is where stuff gets real. See, we at Autos.ca are no strangers to incredibly tight comparison tests, but this one got really close. There was only 1.6 percent difference between our final scores on both these cars.

So value matters. But it’s not that simple (it’s never that simple). Value is not an empirically defined thing. If it was, the Legacy would win. Hands down. It’s $37,090 to the $40,790 200 – almost $4,000 difference.

2015 Chrysler 200 vs Subaru Legacy. Click image to enlarge

But here, as in any nightclub in Amsterdam, “value” and “price” are not the same. For the money, you also get porous wood (real wood) and sumptuous leather. A heated steering wheel is a nice touch, as is the 115V power outlet and the smuggler’s chest under the console. Most importantly, though, you get Uconnect. As Senior Editor Yarkony said, “I’d pay $2,000 for Uconnect alone.”

Pricing is by no means resolved either. In the words of many of our forum members, “What about financing costs?” Using the two manufacturer Build and Price tools and the same 60-month, $5,000 deposit/trade-in terms we found the Chrysler 200 cheaper than the Subaru Legacy.

Thanks in part to a $3,000 “Consumer Cash Discount” the monthly cost of the 200 was $595. The Legacy? $666.30.

The Verdict

That the Legacy is a good car is unquestionable. That it’s better by far than its predecessor is equally obvious. It delivers its power more cleverly thanks to a well-sorted CVT and proven AWD system and the poise of the car is better despite the lack of grip from the tires. Despite the superior dynamics, the passenger environment and everyday usability give up ground in areas that we feel will be high on shoppers’ priority lists.

The first impressions of the 200 are so much better, from the interior quality and usability to an engaging if flawed driving experience, and there are enough endearing features to keep the romance burning that we feel people will get more lasting enjoyment from the Chrysler.

Pricing: 2015 Chrysler 200 AWD
Base Price: $32,495
Options: SafetyTec Group (brake assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, parallel park assist, blind-spot and cross-path detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beam, rain-sensitive wipers) – $1,995, Sun/Sound Group (panoramic sunroof, nine-speakers with sub woofer) – $1,495, Premium Group (premium leather seats, ventilated seats, heated two-tone steering wheel, 115v power outlet) – $995, Premium Lighting Group (LED fog lamps, HID Headlamps with LED DRLs) – $895, Uconnect 8.4-inch with Nav – $525, 19×8.0-inch grey/polished spoke aluminum wheels – $595
A/C Tax: $100
Destination Charge: $1,695
Price as Tested: $40,790

Pricing: 2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited with Technology Package
Base Price: $35,395
Options: None
A/C Tax: $100
Destination Charge: $1,595
Price as Tested: $37,090