Compare the2023 Subaru ImprezaVS 2023 Mazda 3

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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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

Both the Impreza and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, rear cross-path warning 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 Subaru Impreza is safer than the Mazda 3:

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, results indicate that the Subaru Impreza is safer than the Mazda 3:

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

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.

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

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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Impreza Sedan gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the Impreza Sedan gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Hatchback:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Impreza uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda 3 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Impreza stops shorter than the Mazda 3:

For better traction, the Impreza Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (225/40R18 vs. 215/45R18).

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 Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The Impreza Sport’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

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 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 Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Impreza 2.0i Premium Sedan handles at .82 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Impreza 2.0i Premium Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD (27.7 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Impreza Sedan a Mid-size car, while the Mazda 3 is rated a Compact.

The Impreza Sedan has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mazda 3 Sedan (99.8 vs. 92.8).

The Impreza Sedan has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear legroom, 4.3 inches more rear hip room and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Impreza’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Mazda 3’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge (except wagon).

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

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

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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the Impreza’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the Mazda 3’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

Insurance will cost less for the Impreza owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Impreza will cost $125 less than the Mazda 3 over a five-year period.

The Impreza will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Impreza will retain 53.58% to 57.04% of its original price after five years, while the Mazda 3 only retains 49.31% to 50.91%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Impreza is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 3 because typical repairs cost much less on the Impreza than the Mazda 3, including $40 less for a muffler, $2 less for front brake pads, $55 less for fuel injection, $154 less for a fuel pump and $263 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Impreza will be $1289 to $8797 less than for the Mazda 3.

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

The Subaru Impreza outsold the Mazda 3 by 11% during 2022.