2015 Chrysler 200C AWD vs 2015 Subaru Legacy AWD Limited
Jacob Black
2015 Chrysler 200C AWD vs 2015 Subaru Legacy AWD Limited Gallery
For years, the Chrysler 200 and Subaru Legacy were the forgotten sons of the mid-size sedan segment. The 2015 redesigns changed that.
Buying one used today? The Chrysler 200C 2015 model gives you more power (295 hp against 256) and more features for the money. The Legacy 3.6R Limited uses a little less fuel, carries standard symmetrical all-wheel drive and raises fewer red flags in AutoTrader's used-vehicle reviews. For most shoppers in 2026, the Legacy is the safer buy.
Key Takeaways
- The 200C AWD's Pentastar V6 makes 295 hp, about 15 per cent more than the Legacy 3.6R.
- NRCan rates the 200 AWD V6 at 10.7 L/100 km combined against the Legacy's 10.2, about five per cent more fuel.
- The Legacy's 425-litre trunk is about four per cent bigger than the 200's 410 litres.
- AutoTrader's used-vehicle review advises against a 2015 Chrysler 200; early V6 units drew the most transmission complaints.
- Transport Canada lists eight recall campaigns for the 2015 Chrysler 200 and four for the Legacy. Check every VIN.
How We Selected These Two AWD Midsize Sedans
Both cars arrived redesigned for 2015. Both offered all-wheel drive with a six-cylinder engine, which is how Jacob Black paired them for the original AutoTrader test in December 2014: a 200C AWD test car against a Legacy 3.6R Limited. For the class that followed, see our 2017 mid-size sedan comparison.
That test was about new cars. This update is for used-car shoppers. We checked both against Chrysler Canada and Subaru Canada specs, NRCan fuel ratings, Transport Canada recalls and AutoTrader's used reviews.
Quick Comparison: 2015 Chrysler 200 vs 2015 Subaru Legacy
| Spec | 2015 Chrysler 200C AWD | 2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 3.6L boxer six |
| Horsepower | 295 hp @ 6,350 rpm | 256 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm | 247 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | Lineartronic CVT |
| AWD | Rear axle disconnects when cruising | Symmetrical AWD, always on |
| Fuel (city/hwy/comb.) | 12.8 / 8.1 / 10.7 L/100 km | 11.9 / 8.2 / 10.2 L/100 km |
| Trunk | 410 L | 425 L |
| Original MSRP (trim range) | C: $28,895 to $33,395 | Limited: $31,195 to $35,395 |
What the Numbers Say About Power and Fuel
The Chrysler wins on paper for power. Its V6 makes six per cent more torque, and it runs through nine gears instead of a CVT. The Legacy wins on efficiency in town, where it burns 0.9 L/100 km less.
On the highway? It's a wash: 8.1 against 8.2.
Compare the Chrysler 200 and Legacy Trims
See the trims side by side. Line up engines, fuel use and features in one view.
Top Choices: 2015 Chrysler 200C AWD and Legacy 3.6R Limited
When the new Chrysler 200 arrived, the 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan started at a base price of $22,495 for the LX, per Chrysler Canada. The C topped that range, above the Limited and sporty 200S. The Limited topped the Legacy's.
The 200C AWD: Pentastar V6 and 9-Speed Automatic
All-wheel drive came only with the V6 in the 200, and every 200 used the nine-speed automatic. A driver-selectable Sport mode sharpens responses. The system fully disconnects the rear axle when cruising to improve fuel economy, a segment first, according to Chrysler Canada's press kit.
Paul Williams drove a 200C AWD on snowy Ottawa roads for AutoTrader's winter test of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep AWD models alongside the Jeep Cherokee and found it "very capable," if a little heavy into corners. He kept stability control and traction control on. Chrysler built every 200 in Michigan.
Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited: Boxer Six, CVT and EyeSight
The Legacy 3.6R uses a horizontally opposed boxer six and a Lineartronic CVT with paddle shifters. Subaru Canada made symmetrical all-wheel drive standard on every trim, and EyeSight (adaptive cruise control, collision alert and lane departure warning) was available on Limited Package models. Rear radar handles blind-spot monitoring. Subaru Starlink runs the touchscreen.
AutoTrader's 2014 test drive of the Legacy 3.6R noted the flat-six doesn't deliver a matching gain in acceleration over the four-cylinder, despite 46 per cent more horsepower. It's smooth and refined, not fast. The same test praised its visibility, legroom and storage bins.
Strengths and Trade-Offs of the Chrysler 200C
The 200C aimed at entry-level luxury buyers.
Ride, Steering and Handling
Owners in AutoTrader's used review praise the 200's "smooth and punchy" V6, good brakes and good headlights. Its extra weight shows in winter corners, but Williams found it "easily managed" with smooth throttle.
Legacy owners report a relaxing, comfortable ride with "plenty of confidence in inclement weather." Some mention highway wander or loose steering at speed. Check tire pressure and alignment on a test drive.
Interior: Leather, Uconnect and Trunk Space
Owners call the 200's interior upscale. Chrysler Canada offered a Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen and 19-inch aluminum wheels, and AutoTrader's review lists touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth, remote start, forward collision warning and a dial shifter among its common features. The Legacy's higher trims add heated leather seats.
The catch is the 200's back seat. Owners wish for more headroom in the rear seat and complain about small, awkward door openings. As a family car, the Legacy makes more sense: owners call its cabin and trunk space adequate, and its trunk holds 15 litres more cargo.
Costs and Ownership of a Used Chrysler 200C 2015
Here the two split hardest. A used midsize sedan's history matters more than its original sticker price.
Fuel Consumption in City and Highway Driving
NRCan rates the 2015 Chrysler 200 AWD V6 at 12.8 L/100 km city and 8.1 highway, on regular gas. The Legacy 3.6R returns 11.9 city and 8.2 highway. Mostly city kilometres? The Legacy saves fuel every week. See the NRCan fuel consumption ratings dataset for any other trim.
Known Issues: Transmission and Transport Canada Recalls
Justin Pritchard's used Chrysler 200 review found transmission complaints clustered on early 2015 V6 cars: rough shifts, limited acceleration and a dial shifter that won't change gears. His verdict: stick to a 2016 or 2017 V6.
The Transport Canada recall database lists eight campaigns for the 2015 Chrysler 200. Four matter most on a 200C AWD:
- A 9-speed park pawl that may not engage (2015).
- A damaged power distribution centre connector (2015).
- Transmission harness crimps that can shift the car into neutral (2016).
- Cruise control that may not switch off (2018).
The 2015 Legacy has four campaigns, including a transmission oil seal on the propeller shaft. Its used Legacy review flags oil consumption on four-cylinder cars, coolant odours, wheel bearings and wind noise around 80 km/h.
Find Out What Your Current Car Is Worth
Trading in toward one of these sedans? Resale values shift with kilometres and condition, so get a free valuation first.
Who Each Option Suits in a Canadian Winter
Either sedan needs proper winter tires. AWD helps you go; it doesn't help you stop. After years of road salt, check the underbody and brake lines on both.
Choose the 200C AWD If You Want V6 Power for Less
Pick the 200 if you want the stronger engine and more features for a lower original MSRP range. Compare it with a Legacy 3.6R Limited with EyeSight from later in the same generation.
Choose the Legacy If Winter Traction Comes First
Pick the Legacy if you drive long highway stretches in snow, carry adults in the back or want a car with fewer known transmission headaches. Its successor met the Camry in our 2020 Subaru Legacy vs Toyota Camry comparison. Not sure which AWD layout you need? Here's how AWD, 4WD and 4x4 differ.
Final Recommendation on the 200C AWD
The 200C AWD is the more exciting sedan. The Legacy is the smarter used buy.
Our Verdict for Used Car Shoppers
Buy the Legacy 3.6R Limited for its standard AWD, lower fuel consumption and fewer transmission red flags. Buy the 200C only with proof that every recall and transmission software update is done.
Chrysler discontinued the 200 when production ended in December 2016, as AutoTrader reported when Fiat Chrysler ended 200 production. Before you buy either car, read our guide to buying a used AWD car.
Shop Used AWD Sedans on AutoTrader.ca
Filter by model year, kilometres and price. Find a 200 or Legacy near you.
Check the VIN, the recalls and the service records. Then take the test drive.
FAQ: 2015 Chrysler 200C AWD
Is the 2015 Chrysler 200C a good used car?
It's well equipped with a strong V6, but AutoTrader's used-vehicle review advises against the 2015 model year, when early V6 units drew the most transmission complaints. A 2016 or 2017 V6 with full service records is safer.
What is the fuel consumption of the 2015 Chrysler 200 AWD?
NRCan rates the 2015 Chrysler 200 AWD V6 at 12.8 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 on the highway and 10.7 combined. The 2015 Legacy 3.6R is rated at 10.2 L/100 km combined, about five per cent less.
Is the 200C AWD different from the Chrysler 200S?
Both trims offered the 295-hp V6 with AWD and the 9-speed automatic. The 200S adds sportier chassis and styling tweaks, while the 200C is the pricier, luxury-leaning trim. Original C pricing ran from $28,895 to $33,395, per AutoTrader's research data.
Does the 2015 Chrysler 200 have transmission problems?
Some do. AutoTrader's used review reports rough shifting and dial-shifter faults, mainly on early 2015 V6 cars. Transport Canada also lists 9-speed park pawl and transmission harness recalls. Ask for proof of the recall work and current transmission software.
When did Chrysler stop making the 200?
The last Chrysler 200 was built in December 2016 at Sterling Heights, Mich., AutoTrader reported. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles retooled the plant for Ram 1500 pickups, so 2017 was the final model year.
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