2020 Subaru WRX vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was one of the best-looking cars on the market, despite not being a sports or luxury car. Mazda designers created a dramatic design that captured attention, putting the industry on notice. The Mazda3 came as a sedan and a hatchback, with the latter showcasing the designers' skills. The clean rear quarter panel, sharply raked rear window, and sports-car-like taillights made the hatchback a head-turner. Inside, the Mazda3's interior was equally impressive, with clean, uncluttered spaces and seamless technology integration. The driver and front passenger sat low and leaned back, surrounded by well-placed controls, including a controller dial for the 8.8-inch MazdaConnect infotainment system.

The 2020 Subaru WRX, introduced as a performance variant of the Impreza in the early 2000s, became its own model in 2015. The WRX had a wider stance, lower front splitter, rear deck spoiler, and functional air intake, making it the most aggressively styled Subaru. The STI version added a large rear wing and aerodynamic components. Despite its racy touches, the non-STI WRX could be a sleeper, surprising those unaware of its performance capabilities. The WRX's cabin, though practical, was considered pedestrian by some. Trim levels included Base, Premium, and Limited, with the STI offering even more performance-oriented features.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive and newly available all-wheel drive (AWD), though AWD was only available with the automatic transmission. The SkyActiv-G engine provided responsive acceleration, athletic handling, and composed ride quality. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the FWD automatic sedan with the Premium package, returning 27 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. The least efficient was the AWD hatchback, returning 24/32/27. In a week of combined driving, the test model achieved 28.2 mpg.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, delivering 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to symmetrical AWD through a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. The manual transmission provided a 50:50 front:rear torque distribution, while the CVT offered a 45:55 split. The WRX's power delivery was fantastic, with minimal turbo lag and precise steering. The WRX STI featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 310 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque, Brembo brakes, and a stiffer suspension, enhancing its cornering abilities. However, the taut handling resulted in a rough ride, especially on imperfect roads.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The low, sports-car-like seating position benefited front-seat passengers but made rear-seat accommodations tight, especially for taller individuals. The center console had a deep tray and a center bin, though the armrest design was criticized for its complexity.

The 2020 Subaru WRX's sedan layout provided excellent sightlines, with good rear and side visibility. The cabin featured a straightforward dash layout with easy-to-use controls and ample storage compartments. The WRX offered plenty of first-row seating space and adequate rear-seat space for adults on short trips. However, its 12 cubic feet of cargo space was low compared to other compact sedans but similar to sports cars.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch MazdaConnect infotainment system with crisp graphics, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the system was entirely remote-controlled, which some found less intuitive. The test model included a head-up display and a digital instrument panel with customizable content.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 7-inch screen. The Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The WRX also had a digital display in the instrument panel and a digital information screen atop the dash, providing key driver information.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and driver-attention alerts. However, these features were not standard on the base sedan trim. The hatchback's large C-pillars created significant blind spots, and the auto-engage parking brake system was not intuitive.

The 2020 Subaru WRX included front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The optional EyeSight suite added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The WRX earned top marks from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.