Compare the2022 Subaru WRXVS 2021 Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the WRX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The WRX has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The WRX Limited SPT/GT has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the WRX. But it costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

Both the WRX and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the WRX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG C-Class Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG C-Class Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 65 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the WRX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Subaru higher than Mercedes.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 12 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the WRX lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru WRX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The WRX offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the WRX has larger standard tires than the AMG C-Class Sedan (235/45R17 vs. 225/45R18).

For better maneuverability, the WRX’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the AMG C 63 Sedan’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Subaru WRX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 550 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the WRX a Mid-size car, while the AMG C-Class Sedan is rated a Compact.

The WRX has 8.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG C-Class Sedan (98.9 vs. 90).

The WRX has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG C-Class Sedan.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the WRX Premium/Limited/GT’s exterior PIN entry system. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.