Compare the2022 Ford MustangVS 2022 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’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the WRX.

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. Only the WRX Limited/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

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/GT has a rear cross-path warning system.

The Mustang’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The WRX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Mustang has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The WRX doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

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

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.

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’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (310 vs. 271) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang’s optional 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (330 vs. 271) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 179 more horsepower (450 vs. 271) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (420 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang Mach 1’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 199 more horsepower (470 vs. 271) and 152 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

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.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Mustang offers an optional up-shift light to indicate when to shift, based on a value pre-entered by the driver. The WRX doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better stopping power the Mustang’s brake rotors are larger than those on 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’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The WRX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Mustang has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Handling Package/H.O. Package) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the WRX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the WRX (107.1 inches vs. 105.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 1 inch wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than on the WRX.

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 2 inches more front legroom and .8 inches more front hip room than the WRX.

The Mustang Fastback has a larger trunk than the WRX (13.5 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

The Mustang Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The WRX doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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.

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 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

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