Compare the2023 Subaru ImprezaVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

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

Safety

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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 Impreza are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Subaru Impreza has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Impreza Limited has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Impreza. But it costs extra on the CX-3.

The Impreza Auto’s 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Compared to metal, the Impreza’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-3 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Impreza and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Impreza is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

	Impreza	CX-3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	247 lbs.	334 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	117	157
Neck Injury Risk	34%	39%
Leg Forces (l/r)	76/57 lbs.	252/310 lbs.

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 Subaru Impreza is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

	Impreza	CX-3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	183
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	79 G’s	85 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	201	287

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Impreza, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 4.1% to 4.3% less likely to roll over than the CX-3, which received a four-star rating.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Impreza its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CX-3 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

There are over 16 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Impreza’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Impreza has a standard 130-amp alternator. The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Impreza’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (152 vs. 148) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Subaru Impreza is faster than the Mazda CX-3 (automatics tested):

	Impreza	CX-3
Zero to 60 MPH	9.5 sec	9.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.7 sec	5.9 sec
Quarter Mile	17.3 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	82.2 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Impreza lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The CX-3 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Impreza 5-door gets better mileage than the CX-3:

			MPG
Impreza 5-door
AWD	Auto	2.0 DOHC flat-4	28 city/36 hwy
		Sport 2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/35 hwy
CX-3
FWD	Auto	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/34 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy

The Impreza has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Impreza higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-3 (3 to 7). This means the Impreza produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-3 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Impreza offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Impreza 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Impreza stops much shorter than the CX-3:

	Impreza	CX-3
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	140 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Impreza Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-3 (225/40R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The Impreza’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s standard 60 series tires. The Impreza Sport’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Impreza Sport has standard 18-inch wheels. The CX-3’s largest wheels are only 16-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Impreza has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Impreza Premium/Sport/Limited has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Impreza Premium/Sport/Limited flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Impreza’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the CX-3 (105.1 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Impreza Sport/Limited uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Impreza 5-door has 13.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (100.9 vs. 87.6).

The front step up height for the Impreza Sedan is 3.3 inches lower than the CX-3 (12.7” vs. 16”). The Impreza Sedan’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the CX-3’s (14” vs. 16”).

Cargo Capacity

The Impreza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (20.8 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Impreza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (55.3 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Impreza easier. The Impreza’s trunk lift-over height is 26 inches, while the CX-3’s liftover is 30.6 inches.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Impreza. The CX-3 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Impreza is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Impreza has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The CX-3 doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

Ergonomics

The Impreza Auto offers a 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Impreza’s front power windows 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 CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Impreza’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Impreza Base). The CX-3 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Keyless Entry and Start optional on the Impreza (except Base) allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The Impreza Premium/Sport/Limited’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Impreza’s optional 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 CX-3 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Impreza Premium/Sport/Limited has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

Model Availability

The Subaru Impreza comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Mazda CX-3 isn’t available as a sedan.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Impreza owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Impreza with a number “1” insurance rate while the CX-3 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Impreza is less expensive to operate than the CX-3 because typical repairs cost much less on the Impreza than the CX-3, including $10 less for a muffler, $9 less for front brake pads, $135 less for fuel injection and $274 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Impreza and the Mazda CX-3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Impreza outsold the Mazda CX-3 by over five to one during the 2021 model year.