Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 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 that 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 standard Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the WRX Limited/GT offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The Mustang’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 WRX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mustang’s reliability 12 points higher than the WRX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

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 152 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 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.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Mustang is faster than the Subaru WRX (manual transmissions tested):

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.

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.

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

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’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/Mach 1) 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 2 inches longer than on the WRX (107.1 inches vs. 105.1 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 the average track on the WRX.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.6% to 45.4%) than the WRX’s (59.9% to 40.1%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the WRX Limited pulls only .95 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 Limited pulls only .96 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 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 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 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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mustang has standard extendable sun visors. The WRX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2019. The WRX has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Subaru WRX by almost three to one during 2022.