Compare the2024 Mazda 3VS 2023 Subaru WRX

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The Mazda 3 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 Mazda 3’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 Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360-Degree Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The WRX only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Mazda 3 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 Mazda 3 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking on the Turbo Premium Plus automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the WRX Limited/GT offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the WRX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Mazda 3’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 Mazda 3 and the WRX 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 and available all wheel drive.

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

	Mazda 3	WRX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	89	250
Neck Injury Risk	17%	24.5%
Neck Stress	214 lbs.	348 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	65 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	205/212 lbs.	284/524 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	153	156
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30%	34.4%
Neck Stress	191 lbs.	227 lbs.
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	151 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	178/201 lbs.	203/285 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 Mazda 3 is safer than the Subaru WRX:

	Mazda 3	WRX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	112	152
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	239 lbs.	388 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	620 lbs.	839 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	10 inches	14 inches
HIC	199	208
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	819 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 58 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The WRX has not been fully tested, yet.

Reliability

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 Mazda 3’s reliability 28 points higher than the WRX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 7th.

Engine

The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Mazda 3 Sedan
FWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
WRX
AWD	Manual	2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/26 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy

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

			MPG
Mazda 3 Hatchback
FWD	Manual	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/35 hwy
	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/33 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
WRX
AWD	Manual	2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/26 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The WRX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mazda 3 offers an optional system to automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The WRX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission

The Mazda 3 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the WRX.

Tires and Wheels

The Mazda 3 has a standard space-saver spare tire 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.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the WRX (107.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the WRX’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.74 feet).

Chassis

The Mazda 3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 200 pounds less than the Subaru WRX.

The Mazda 3 Sedan is 8.2 inches shorter than the WRX, making the Mazda 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback is quieter than the WRX Limited:

	3	WRX
At idle	40 dB	49 dB
Full-Throttle	74 dB	79 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	71 dB

Passenger Space

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .5 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear hip room than the WRX.

Cargo Capacity

The Mazda 3 Sedan has a larger trunk than the WRX (13.2 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Mazda 3 Turbo Hatchback has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The WRX doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The WRX doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mazda 3 Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The WRX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Mazda 3’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The WRX has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Mazda 3’s front and rear power windows all 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 WRX’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the Mazda 3’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 Mazda 3’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. 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 Mazda 3 has standard extendable sun visors. The WRX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The WRX’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus’ standard 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.

Both the Mazda 3 and the WRX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The WRX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda 3 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Subaru WRX isn’t available as a four door hatchback.

The Mazda 3 is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The WRX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	Mazda 3	WRX
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	FALSE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	n/a

The Mazda 3 outsold the Subaru WRX by 49% during 2022.