2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a youthful, almost rebellious aesthetic within the Subaru lineup. It featured a wedge-like front end and a short trunk lid, giving it a speedy appearance even when stationary. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to its sporty look. Inside, the WRX's cockpit was function-first, with a design that had not significantly changed since its 2015 introduction. The interior was filled with hard plastics, contributing to its less mature reputation compared to competitors like the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si. The WRX came in Base, Premium, and Limited trims, with the Limited offering leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and adaptive LED headlights.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i, showcased a more refined and luxurious design. The test vehicle featured Barbera Red special-order paint and Cognac-color SensaTec simulated leather upholstery. The M340i came with an M Performance exterior design, including exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline exterior trim, and blue brake calipers. Inside, the M340i's perforated SensaTec upholstery and optional dashboard wrap provided an upscale look and feel. The interior design was technical rather than luxurious, focusing on driving enjoyment. The M340i also offered a range of options, including the Driving Assistance and Premium packages, enhancing both safety and comfort.

The 2021 Subaru WRX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It offered a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The WRX's engine layout allowed for a low center of gravity, enhancing its handling. However, the manual transmission's clutch felt vague, making it less ideal for driving enthusiasts. The WRX featured Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, which modulated torque distribution and applied slight braking on the inside wheels during cornering. This made the WRX agile on winding roads, though its stiff ride was less comfortable compared to rivals like the Civic Si and GTI.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. It featured 48-volt mild-hybrid technology and an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control. The M340i's drivetrain delivered impressive performance, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The car's M Sport suspension and optional Adaptive M Suspension provided excellent handling and a taut ride. The M340i's driving dynamics were precise and responsive, making it a joy to drive on winding roads. Despite its performance, the M340i returned a respectable 24.9 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a trunk offering up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space. While this was more than the Civic Si coupe, it was less than the Civic Si sedan and significantly less than the VW GTI's cargo space. The WRX's interior showed its age, with limited storage options for larger items like water bottles. The driving position was comfortable, with good visibility and decent space in the center console. The rear seats could accommodate four adults comfortably, making it practical for a compact sedan.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i offered a more spacious and comfortable interior. The power-adjustable front sport seats provided excellent support, and the driving position was ideal. Rear seat passengers had adequate legroom, though the center rear seat was less practical due to the outboard bolstering. The M340i featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available in the Premium package. The trunk offered 17 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Despite its practicality, a sports wagon version would have been even better, though not available in the U.S.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls. The Limited trim offered an optional package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing solid sound quality. However, the WRX's infotainment system felt dated compared to more modern systems.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series featured Live Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. BMW's iDrive 7.0 was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a center console knob, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The M340i came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. The Connected Package Pro included BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant, which responded accurately to various commands. The M340i also offered a head-up display and a surround-view camera system as part of the optional Premium and Driving Assistance Professional packages.

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with advanced safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available only on the Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. The Limited trim also offered adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. All trims came standard with a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistance package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driving Assistance Professional package further included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, evasive-steering assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for semi-autonomous driving. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.