Compare the2022 Ford MustangVS 2021 Subaru WRX

The Ford Mustang 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 Mustang 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the WRX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mustang has a standard rear 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 rear cross-path warning system and it costs extra.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Mustang is safer than the Subaru WRX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Mustang is safer than the Subaru WRX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 5 times as many Ford dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Mustang’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 Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The WRX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 14th in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 24th.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the WRX:

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Mustang turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Subaru WRX 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Mustang Mach 1 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the Subaru WRX 2.0 (manual transmissions tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Ford Mustang GT Fastback was clocked 11.1 seconds faster than the Subaru WRX (173.8 sec. vs. 184.9 sec.).

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

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The WRX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Mustang higher (3 to 5 out of 10) than the Subaru WRX (1). This means the Mustang produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the WRX every 15,000 miles.

The Mustang Manual’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 Ford Mustang GT/Mach 1 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.

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

The Mustang’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 Mustang stops much shorter than the WRX:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the WRX (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 245/40R18).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the WRX STI’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The WRX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Mustang offers an optional 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 Mustang’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the WRX (107.1 inches vs. 104.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 4.5 inches wider in the rear than on the WRX.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the WRX STI Limited pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Premium Convertible handles at .98 G’s, while the WRX pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The WRX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The WRX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has 1.8 inches more front legroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room and .7 inches more front shoulder room than the WRX.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the WRX (13.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The WRX has no towing capacity.

When three different drivers share the Mustang Premium/Mach 1, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, power steering assist and outside mirror angle. The WRX doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The WRX doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The WRX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Mustang’s driver can lower all 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 Mustang’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 Mustang’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 Mustang 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1 Deluxe 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 Mustang Premium/Mach 1’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 Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Subaru WRX isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The WRX hasn’t been picked since 2003.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Subaru WRX by over two to one during the 2021 model year.