Compare the2023 Subaru WRX VS 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 WRX 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 WRX. But it costs extra on the Mazda 3.

Both the WRX and the Mazda 3 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the WRX has a 150-amp alternator. The Mazda 3’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 80 more horsepower (271 vs. 191) and 72 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (271 vs. 250) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru WRX is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (manual transmissions tested):

	WRX	3
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	15.5 sec

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru WRX is faster than the Mazda 3 (automatics tested):

	WRX	3 4 cyl.	3 turbo 4 cyl.
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	7.5 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	15.8 sec	14.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	90 MPH	99 MPH
Top Speed	134 MPH	130 MPH	134 MPH

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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The WRX has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mazda 3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The WRX has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mazda 3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons).

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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the WRX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 3:

	WRX	Mazda 3	Mazda 3 AWD
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	11.02 inches	11.61 inches
Rear Rotors	11.4 inches	10.43 inches	10.43 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	11.8 inches

The WRX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Mazda 3 are solid, not vented.

The WRX stops much shorter than the Mazda 3:

	WRX	Mazda 3
70 to 0 MPH	153 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	130 feet	134 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the WRX has larger standard tires than the Mazda 3 (235/45R17 vs. 205/60R16). The WRX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (245/40R18 vs. 215/45R18).

The WRX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The WRX’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the WRX has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.5 S.

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru WRX 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 WRX has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the WRX flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The WRX offers an available 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 Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The WRX Limited handles at .96 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The WRX Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.3 seconds quicker than the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD (24.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

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

The WRX has 6.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mazda 3 Sedan (98.9 vs. 92.8).

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

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the WRX’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 WRX. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The WRX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mazda 3 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the WRX 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 WRX Premium/Limited/GT’s exterior PIN entry system. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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