2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Subaru Impreza

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 offered both sedan and hatchback body styles, with the hatchback standing out due to its unique curves and silhouette. The sedan, however, was more popular among U.S. shoppers aiming for an upmarket feel. The test vehicle, a sedan with the Premium Package and AWD, featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a blacked-out mesh front grille, and round running lamps. The side profile was sculpted without being angular, unlike competitors such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The rear design of the sedan felt somewhat disproportionate, but the hatchback's rounded shape mitigated this issue.

Inside, the Mazda3 leaned towards a premium feel with a minimalist design. The test vehicle had creamy white leather, slim steering wheel buttons, and a cockpit-style feel due to the air vents' placement. Materials were padded with leather, although not quite at luxury sedan standards. The cupholders' new position allowed for an extended armrest, enhancing the driver-focused design. However, the sheet metal felt low rent, with doors and trunk closures sounding light and hollow.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza took a more conservative approach to styling compared to its predecessors. Both sedan and hatchback models featured sleek headlights and taillights, a tapered front end, and some body-side scalloping. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy and Outback, the Impreza benefited from improved overall refinement.

Inside, the Impreza's design was typical of compact cars, with a dashboard split by the infotainment touchscreen housing and various plastic forms. The Sport trim added contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim offered standard leather upholstery and LED headlights. The interior was functional but lacked excitement, focusing more on practicality and comfort.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This was an upgrade from the previous generation's 2.0-liter engine. The new model abandoned the multi-link rear suspension for a torsion beam setup, which, while cost-effective, compromised ride quality. Despite this, the steering remained precise with minimal roll through corners. The engine was predictable but lacked the immediate punch of turbocharged motors. A six-speed manual transmission was available only on the FWD hatchback with the preferred or premium package, while most models came with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine delivering 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The boxer engine's design allowed for a lower center of gravity. Most models featured a CVT, with a five-speed manual available on the base sedan and hatchback, and the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport trim also had model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the AWD system. While the Impreza provided a solid and refined ride, it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Mazda3. The Sport's suspension offered a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the engine's lack of power and noncommunicative steering kept it from being a true driver's car.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan measured 183.5 inches in length with a 107.3-inch wheelbase, while the hatchback was 175.6 inches long. Despite compact dimensions, the interior offered ample room for the driver and decent headroom. The back seat was tight on legroom, but the soft front seatbacks mitigated discomfort. The front seats were supportive with plenty of adjustment, and the materials held up well even after 10,000 miles. The large transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback. The sedan's trunk had 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet, both on the smaller side for the segment.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan had 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the least among compact sedans, but offered a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, more than the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla hatchbacks but less than the Honda Civic hatchback. With the rear seats folded, the Impreza hatch offered 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space. All hatch trims except the base model had standard roof rails. Premium and higher trims included an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited trim featured a six-way power driver’s seat and automatic climate control. A power moonroof was available on most trims.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display positioned high on the dashboard, blending seamlessly into the design. Mazda eliminated touch functionality, opting for a rotary dial controller between the front seats to manage navigation and infotainment. The system included dedicated buttons and a volume knob with additional controls. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and Sirius XM satellite radio were available. The new infotainment software was faster with sharp graphics, and the HUD reflected off the windshield, enhancing the upmarket feel.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza's base and Premium trims had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth, while higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. An option package for the Limited trim added TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display above the main touchscreen showed information like estimated range, though it seemed redundant with the gauge cluster's LCD display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy access to important functions, though it lacked advanced features for tech-savvy users.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring Good in all crash tests. The Premium Package’s LED headlights received a Good rating, while lower trims got an Acceptable score. The NHTSA awarded the Mazda3 a five-star overall safety rating. Advanced driver assistance systems included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and dynamic brake support.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with Good scores in all crash tests. The standard headlights received a Marginal rating, while the Limited trim's headlights got a Good score. The NHTSA gave the Impreza a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru’s EyeSight safety tech was standard on CVT-equipped models, offering automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights.