Compare the2022 BMW M3VS 2021 Subaru WRX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability

Safety

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The M3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The WRX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW M3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The WRX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The M3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The WRX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The M3 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The WRX only offers a rear monitor.

The M3 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the WRX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M3 has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the WRX Limited offers a cross-path warning system and it costs extra.

Both the M3 and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

The M3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The WRX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The M3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the WRX’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the WRX.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the M3’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the WRX’s camshafts. If the WRX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The battery on the M3 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the M3’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The WRX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 27th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 17th.

Engine

The M3’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 205 more horsepower (473 vs. 268) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 258) than the WRX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M3’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 163 more horsepower (473 vs. 310) and 116 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 290) than the WRX STI’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The M3 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 193 more horsepower (503 vs. 310) and 189 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 290) than the WRX STI’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the M3 Competition is faster than the Subaru WRX 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	M3	WRX
Zero to 60 MPH	3.5 sec	5.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	7.6 sec	14.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.5 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	11.6 sec	14.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	124 MPH	99 MPH
Top Speed	180 MPH	150 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the M3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The WRX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW M3 higher (5 out of 10) than the Subaru WRX (1). This means the M3 produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the WRX every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The M3’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The WRX doesn’t offer launch control.

The BMW M3 manual has a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the car from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The WRX doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the M3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the WRX:

	M3	M3 CCB	WRX	WRX STI
Front Rotors	15 inches	15.7 inches	12.4 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	15 inches	11.3 inches	12.8 inches

The M3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the WRX are solid, not vented.

The M3 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The WRX doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M3 stops much shorter than the WRX:

	M3	WRX
70 to 0 MPH	150 feet	160 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	102 feet	112 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the M3 has larger tires than the WRX (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. 235/45R17). The M3’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the WRX (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. 245/40R18).

The M3’s standard 275/40R18 front and 285/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the WRX’s standard 45 series tires. The M3’s optional 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the WRX STI’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M3 has standard 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the WRX. The M3’s optional 20-inch rear wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the WRX STI.

Suspension and Handling

The M3 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The WRX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M3’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the WRX (112.5 inches vs. 104.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M3 is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the WRX.

The M3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.9% to 47.1%) than the WRX’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the M3 more stable handling and braking.

The M3 Competition handles at 1.03 G’s, while the WRX pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M3 Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the WRX (23.8 seconds @ .85 average G’s vs. 25.7 seconds @ .72 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The M3 has .4 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the WRX.

Cargo Capacity

The M3 has a larger trunk than the WRX (13 vs. 12 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The WRX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M3 offers cargo security. The WRX’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the M3’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The M3 also offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The WRX doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Subaru. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 23% lower rating, Subaru is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the M3, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The WRX doesn’t offer a memory system.

The M3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The WRX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The M3’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The WRX has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the M3 and the WRX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the M3 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The WRX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The M3’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The WRX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the M3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the WRX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The M3’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The WRX’s power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The M3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The WRX’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The M3 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The WRX has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Premium/STI/Limited.

When the M3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The WRX’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The M3’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The WRX offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The M3 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the WRX Premium/Limited/STI. The M3 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the WRX.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the M3 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The WRX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the M3’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The WRX doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The M3 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the WRX STI.

Both the M3 and the WRX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the M3 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The WRX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Model Availability

The M3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The WRX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.